Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a whole-person therapy focusing on the belief that the body knows exactly how to heal. The role of the practitioner is to help you heal yourself and facilitate the healing process. The primary goal in a craniosacral session is to not only to improve your condition, but maximize your health overall. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, non-invasive hands-on therapy that follows the subtle movement of your fascia and connective tissue.
Connective tissue surrounds everything in your body. It surrounds every muscle, every organ, the brain, and every blood vessel. This connective tissue, or fascia, forms a transparent sheet around virtually every functional unit of the body; it literally connects every part of the body together and provides the structure that helps us to function in the world. Because of this, craniosacral therapy is able to assist the body in regaining normal function in any system in the body, whether that be the nervous, lymph, hormonal, musculoskeletal, or gastrointestinal systems.
Craniosacral therapy works on three levels. First, it stimulates the parasympathetic system, our relaxation system. This is very important, as so many of us are in a hypersympathetic state that we never allow ourselves to rest. Second, it assists the body to normalize function in any system in the body, based on the idea that the body knows best how to heal itself. Third, craniosacral therapy can tap into what can be called ‘connective tissue memory.’ Basically, any trauma that we experience in life, whether physical, mental or emotional, gets stored in our tissues. In a sense, we freeze during trauma and never shake it off.
One example of the effectiveness of craniosacral therapy is when dealing with Post-traumatic stress disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is impacting people worldwide. In the United States alone, more than five million people will suffer from PTSD this year. There are major emotional, financial, and negative health implications associated with PTSD making it a timely priority. “Post traumatic stress is a complex condition that can be difficult to treat with conventional medical and psychotherapeutic methods,” explains naturopathic researcher and clinician Dr. Lisa M. Chavez. “Now more than ever, practical, holistic and effective interventions for post traumatic stress are needed worldwide.”
Dr. Chavez has compelling research involving 38 Tibetan ex-political prisoners in exile which she presented at the 2009 AANP convention. All study participants were given three medically recognized surveys including The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, a W.H.O. Brief Quality of Life survey, and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. Participants were divided into two groups: one that received craniosacral therapy and another that did not receive the treatment. The majority of the treatment participants were victims of torture who had been imprisoned and suffered severe trauma. Results of the pilot study found that survey scores for anxiety and somatic complaints of the participants who received the craniosacral therapy decreased, while the somatic complaint scores of the participants who did not receive therapy actually increased. “The decrease in somatic, anxiety and total scores of the treatment group was statistically significant, with female participants benefiting the most,” explained Dr. Chavez.
Dr. Chavez’s research provides hope that this nonverbal, physical medicine can safely and effectively work with the underlying aspects of chronic physical issues that ensue from trauma, including PTSD. “Holistic interventions, like craniosacral therapy work outside the bounds of packaging, culture, language, gender and even mental constraints,” says Dr. Chavez. “As we listen with our hands, we can help patients heal their deepest wounds.”
What do most people experience during Craniosacral Therapy?
Most people feel very relaxed and some even fall asleep. Many people can feel the movement inside their bodies and describe it like they are floating on water. Tingling and heat are also commonly felt as fixations are released. Because craniosacral therapy is so relaxing, most people can tap into their subconscious and identify blocks to healing and belief patterns that are preventing total health. This dialog represents the most powerful and deep healing that can take place. Many unresolved issues can be resolved with this therapy.
Are there any side effects?
Since craniosacral therapy puts your body in charge of the healing, there are no harmful effects from the therapy itself.
Is it safe for children?
Absolutely. In fact, children often respond better and more quickly to craniosacral therapy because they haven’t experienced as many traumas as adults have. Craniosacral therapy has even been used on newborns.
Connective tissue surrounds everything in your body. It surrounds every muscle, every organ, the brain, and every blood vessel. This connective tissue, or fascia, forms a transparent sheet around virtually every functional unit of the body; it literally connects every part of the body together and provides the structure that helps us to function in the world. Because of this, craniosacral therapy is able to assist the body in regaining normal function in any system in the body, whether that be the nervous, lymph, hormonal, musculoskeletal, or gastrointestinal systems.
Craniosacral therapy works on three levels. First, it stimulates the parasympathetic system, our relaxation system. This is very important, as so many of us are in a hypersympathetic state that we never allow ourselves to rest. Second, it assists the body to normalize function in any system in the body, based on the idea that the body knows best how to heal itself. Third, craniosacral therapy can tap into what can be called ‘connective tissue memory.’ Basically, any trauma that we experience in life, whether physical, mental or emotional, gets stored in our tissues. In a sense, we freeze during trauma and never shake it off.
One example of the effectiveness of craniosacral therapy is when dealing with Post-traumatic stress disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is impacting people worldwide. In the United States alone, more than five million people will suffer from PTSD this year. There are major emotional, financial, and negative health implications associated with PTSD making it a timely priority. “Post traumatic stress is a complex condition that can be difficult to treat with conventional medical and psychotherapeutic methods,” explains naturopathic researcher and clinician Dr. Lisa M. Chavez. “Now more than ever, practical, holistic and effective interventions for post traumatic stress are needed worldwide.”
Dr. Chavez has compelling research involving 38 Tibetan ex-political prisoners in exile which she presented at the 2009 AANP convention. All study participants were given three medically recognized surveys including The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, a W.H.O. Brief Quality of Life survey, and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. Participants were divided into two groups: one that received craniosacral therapy and another that did not receive the treatment. The majority of the treatment participants were victims of torture who had been imprisoned and suffered severe trauma. Results of the pilot study found that survey scores for anxiety and somatic complaints of the participants who received the craniosacral therapy decreased, while the somatic complaint scores of the participants who did not receive therapy actually increased. “The decrease in somatic, anxiety and total scores of the treatment group was statistically significant, with female participants benefiting the most,” explained Dr. Chavez.
Dr. Chavez’s research provides hope that this nonverbal, physical medicine can safely and effectively work with the underlying aspects of chronic physical issues that ensue from trauma, including PTSD. “Holistic interventions, like craniosacral therapy work outside the bounds of packaging, culture, language, gender and even mental constraints,” says Dr. Chavez. “As we listen with our hands, we can help patients heal their deepest wounds.”
What do most people experience during Craniosacral Therapy?
Most people feel very relaxed and some even fall asleep. Many people can feel the movement inside their bodies and describe it like they are floating on water. Tingling and heat are also commonly felt as fixations are released. Because craniosacral therapy is so relaxing, most people can tap into their subconscious and identify blocks to healing and belief patterns that are preventing total health. This dialog represents the most powerful and deep healing that can take place. Many unresolved issues can be resolved with this therapy.
Are there any side effects?
Since craniosacral therapy puts your body in charge of the healing, there are no harmful effects from the therapy itself.
Is it safe for children?
Absolutely. In fact, children often respond better and more quickly to craniosacral therapy because they haven’t experienced as many traumas as adults have. Craniosacral therapy has even been used on newborns.