What is cranial-sacral therapy? You may have heard of it, but most people aren’t really sure what it is. Cranial-sacral therapy is a gentle hands-on type of bodywork that focuses on the bones of the head (cranial), spinal column, sacrum (sacral), and adjacent areas. The main goal is to find restrictions and/or compressions in these areas and “release” them.
The cranial sacral system has a rhythm like the cardiac and circulatory systems do. Restrictions or compressions reduce or inhibit the cranial rhythm causing stillness or non-movement in this system.
Compressions or restrictions are caused by injury or trauma and can cause dysfunction and disease in the body. Some symptoms and conditions that cranial-sacral therapy can address are:
Chronic pain – especially in the neck and back
Headaches – tension, migraine, cluster.
TMJ dysfunction
Auditory problems.
Arthritis
Cranial-sacral therapy can be used alone or with other types of massage or therapies. Your therapist will determine the areas of compression or restrictions and use gentle, non-intrusive techniques to release those areas. (See video) As an added benefit it is also deeply relaxing. You will remain fully clothed during the session. Some clients who find it difficult to relax during a Swedish massage get much more relaxed with cranial-sacral therapy.
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