Craniosacral Therapy: What is it and how can it benefit you?
Written By: Mark Boutillier, Manual Osteopathic Practitioner
You may have experienced discomfort or chronic pain at some point in your life, such as in the form of headaches, low back pain, jaw pain (TMJ pain), or vertigo. Perhaps in your search of finding relief you have come across craniosacral therapy and thought, “how could treatment on my head and sacrum affect this gnawing discomfort in my shoulder?!”
In some therapeutic approaches, treatment applied to a seemingly unrelated area of the body may result in improvement in the affected areas. An example of this concept is seen in the form of myofascial release practiced here at Myofascial Release Mississauga. Myofascial release treats the entire body as a whole by utilizing gentle sustained pressure to relieve restrictions in the myofascial system that may be causing chronic pain and dysfunction elsewhere in the body (click here to learn more). Another example of this type of approach is seen in traditional Chinese acupuncture, where acupuncture points are selected distal to the problem area in order to support the body’s lines of energy or “meridians” and promote a state of balance.
Craniosacral therapy (CST) is based on a similar concept. CST can evaluate and enhance the functioning of the craniosacral system -- the structural aspect of the central nervous system -- consisting of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Through gentle, non-invasive hands on therapy, CST seeks to identify and release deeply held tension within the body to promote the relief of dysfunction and pain, allowing for improvement of whole body health and performance. During a CST treatment, the practitioner will use a soft touch and tiny movements, sustained for many minutes, to release restrictions in the fascial tissues, with focus typically placed at the skull, spine, and pelvis. Removing these restrictions can allow for the CSF to return to its optimal physiological flow.
The body is constantly compensating due to the stressors, both mental and physical, that day-to-day life places upon it. These compensations force certain body tissues to twist and tighten which can distort the craniosacral system. These distortions can lead to restrictions and barriers within the craniosacral system and may impede the flow of CSF, ultimately affecting the operation of the central nervous system and potentially other systems it interacts with. In other words, where symptoms are felt may be caused by dysfunctions elsewhere.
By normalizing the environment around the brain and spinal cord, CST helps to restore the body’s natural rhythm and self-healing abilities. It is thus often used as a preventive health approach and can be particularly helpful for managing pain and promoting relaxation. However, CST may also help to address numerous other issues, including but not limited to:
Chronic neck and back pain
Migraines and headaches
Tinnitus
Vertigo
Insomnia
Chronic fatigue
Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders
Fascial adhesions
Stress and anxiety
In fact, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials (the gold standard for scientific research) of nearly 700 patients suffering from chronic pain concluded that CST has significant effects on pain and function, with no serious adverse effects. The patients included in the trials mainly suffered from back and neck pain, migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, epicondylitis, and pelvic girdle pain, finding particular effectiveness on pain intensity and functional disability.
If you are dealing with issues such as these or experiencing gnawing, chronic pain that just won’t seem to go away no matter what form of treatment you try, then perhaps CST is the missing link. You may have experienced temporary relief but always find the symptoms coming back. This may suggest the root cause of the issue is not being addressed and your body remains out of alignment. CST is a great stand-alone or adjunctive therapy that can promote optimal physiological functioning and thus alleviate that stubborn pain. Click here to book your initial consult today.