Hands-on therapy is one of our top priorities for our patients here at FYZICAL. We often work with our students on learning different types of techniques, so check out what Shon Smith, PTA student, had to say about her experience and knowledge on craniosacral therapy:
“Wow, I’m not sure where this blog will go but I am sure I will get you there. My personal experience in cranial sacral therapy was amazing and there wasn’t anything wrong with me nor did I have any symptoms when I had it done. I am about 99.9% positive that it would have been even more amazing if I had any active symptoms. This technique is very relaxing and so far, I have not heard of anyone that thinks otherwise. When I was getting the technique performed on me, I could feel tension releasing throughout my body that I didn’t know was there. 100/10 recommended. I was feeling so relaxed during and after this treatment that if I could have gone to sleep I for sure would have, but of course I was learning while getting this performed. I saw a patient that was symptomatic with chronic migraines resulting from previous concussions. The patient received this technique and went from having symptoms every day several times per day to no symptoms in weeks. Just that alone showed me how serious and effective this technique is.
Let’s start with the history of craniosacral therapy. Craniosacral therapy was developed in the mid 1970s by John Upledger, a doctor of osteopathy, as a form of cranial osteopathy. During the Civil Was Andrew Taylor Still was the first trained as a “hospital steward.” After returning home from the war, he discovered his children had passed away in a meningitis epidemic. Still discovered that most of the people who died had been treated by doctors with toxic medications. He also discovered that in other countries where there were no doctors and toxic medications, the people did not die. He came to believe that the human body had a healing capacity of its own, and that if there were no “restrictions” within the body, it would heal itself. Still opened the first school of osteopathy, which still exists today in Missouri. He taught his students how to remove restrictions in the body. One of his students, William Garner Sutherland went on to study deeper how to study in great detail how to release restrictions in the human skull. His work became known as Cranial Osteopathy. In the twentieth century, Osteopathy and Chiropractic fields spent a lot of time reestablishing their right to practice under the law. Sutherland’s work came at a time when the American Medical Association used the money of some of America’s great tycoons to lobby the government to outlaw both professions. By the late 1970s, Upledger brought Craniosacral therapy out from the field of Osteopathy and began to teach it to Physical Therapists.
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle hands-on technique that uses a light touch to examine membranes and movement of the fluids in and around the central nervous system. Using only 5 grams of pressure- about the weight of a nickel- directly on the body’s tissue is enough to change your life by aligning the body and helping the nervous system function more optimally. For best results, book an appointment with a licensed health professional, such as an Osteopath or a Physical Therapist. Studies show relieving tension in the central nervous system can promote a feeling of improved well-being by eliminating pain and boosting both health and immunity. Soft music and low lighting are often used to increase your state of relaxation. Light touch and facial releases may help your muscles and organs naturally relieve stress, which improves function. Other patients often report feeling a sense of deep relaxation.
This technique may provide relief from a variety of symptoms including:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Chronic Headaches/Migraines
- Constipation
- Facial adhesions
- General neck pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Mood disorders including anxiety or depression
- Neuralgia
- Post-concussions/Injuries to the brain and spinal cord
- Recurrent ear infections or colic in infants
- Side-effects of cancer treatments
- Temporo-mandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)
- Whip lash
If you have any acute symptoms of the following, cranial sacral therapy is not recommended until completely healed or released from your neurologist:
- Acute cerebral aneurysm
- Acute cerebral hemorrhage (brain bleed)
- Any acute cerebral vascular condition with active bleeding
- Acute stroke
- Cerebrospinal fluid leak
- Spina Bifida (Myelomeningocele)
The most common side effect of cranial sacral therapy is minor discomfort following the treatment that often will fade within 24 hours. Craniosacral therapy is a safe technique with few adverse effects and can be performed on any age, including young children and newborns. The sessions can range from 45 minutes to more than an hour. Each individual will respond differently, and some conditions may require more time than others. Some experience instant relief while others may take up to 72 hours to start feeling an effect, again depending on the reason for treatment. You may benefit from 3-10 sessions or may benefit from maintenance sessions. Cranial sacral therapy is so gentle it can be repeated daily, but recommended a couple treatments per week.”
Written by Shon Smith, SPTA
Sources
Cleveland Clinic. (5, Sept. 2023). Craniosacral Therapy. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17677-craniosacral-therapy#:~:text=Craniosacral%20therapy%20(CST)%20is%20a,and%20boosting%20health%20and%20immunity.
Medicine Net. Dr. Sruthi, M., Dr. Spandana, K. (11, Nov. 2022). What Does Craniosacral Therapy Do. https://www.medicinenet.com/what_does_craniosacral_therapy_do/article.htm
Healthline. Minnis, G. DPT. (18, Sept 2018). Cranial Sacral Therapy. https://www.healthline.com/health/cranial-sacral-therapy#:~:text=Depending%20on%20what%20you're,determine%20what's%20right%20for%20you.
Craniosacral Center of Grand Rapids. Cottrell, M. (19, July 2022). Is Craniosacral Therapy Safe? Are There Any Risks or Side Effects of Craniosacral Therapy?. https://www.craniosacralgr.com/post/is-craniosacral-therapy-safe-are-there-any-risks-or-side-effects-to-craniosacral-therapy
Gentle Healing Arts Natural Medicine & Craniosacral Therapy. Dr. Arian, E. (2022). History of Craniosacral Therapy. https://www.gentlehealingarts.com/history-of-craniosacral-therapy#:~:text=Craniosacral%20therapy%20has%20its%20origins,was%20a%20fully%20trained%20surgeon.