Release can come in strange and interesting ways. For some, a sharp intake of breath, then exhaling ever so slowly; and for others, release comes in cataclysmic waves, surges of built and stuck energy which have finally found an outlet. I witnessed the latter during one of my first trainings in craniosacral therapy. The instructor, who had been practicing for many, many years, had in her hands the head of a woman, cradling it gently as the woman seemed to twist and unwind her way through a past trauma. At the end, the woman was spent, but amazingly free of her pain that had followed her for years. As we explored and discussed the experience, the woman’s movements very closely mimicked the pattern her body had experienced during the major wreck she was in years ago. Coincidence? Possibly, one might think, except for witnessing it time and time again in other trainings and experiences.
Craniosacral therapy was developed by an osteopathic physician, Dr. William Sutherland, in the early 1900s and further expanded by another osteopathic physician, Dr. John Upledger. Dr. Upledger performed research exploring the nuances of craniosacral therapy and established a well-known training center, the Upledger Institute.
While the intricacies of craniosacral therapy can be complicated and detailed, the premise is relatively simple. Encouragement of the subtle movement of our cranial bones, cerebrospinal fluid, membranes that line our spine and brain, sacrum and central nervous system can bring about wellness through less stagnation and release. Ok, maybe not so simple. It is thought that our nervous system and fluid that surrounds our spine and brain have a rhythm and flow that fluctuates, called a ‘tide.’ The ebb and flow of this tide can be detected and subtly altered by the practitioner. The bones of the skull, which are thought to be traditionally immobile once the cranial sutures close in childhood, are also thought to be mobile in the guided hands of a practitioner. The connection between the cranium, specifically the occiput, and the sacrum is established by the link of our dura, the fascia (or connective tissue), which lines the brain and spine. Therefore, our skull can be affected by changes to our sacrum and vice-versa.
Where all of this becomes important is when our head, spine, pelvis, nerves or muscles (or any part of musculoskeletal system, for that matter) becomes injured or traumatized, the pattern of our injury can become “stuck” like a bad memory in our tissues. This is our beloved ‘muscle memory’ gone dysfunctional. The trauma need not be only physical in nature. Emotional trauma can also become stuck and stagnant, resulting in discomfort and possibly long-term physical or emotional pain.
A typical treatment of craniosacral therapy begins much like a massage. You are relaxed and lying down while the practitioner moves from head-to-toe, addressing the rhythm in your cranium and spine, along with areas of stagnation and blockage. The practitioner then decides which areas need the most attention in that session and spends time releasing blockages, reestablishing fluid rhythms, lengthening the spine and opening up the sacrum. The experience is typically quite calming and relaxing, and many people feel a sense of being connected within, as well as lighter on the emotional and physical plane. Craniosacral therapy has also been quite effective in children, and can be useful in treating head or spinal injuries from birth or trauma.
There are many practitioners of craniosacral therapy available in the Moscow-Pullman area. Many massage therapists, physical therapists, osteopathic and naturopathic physicians become certified and offer craniosacral as an adjunctive service. To find a local practitioner, contact the Chamber of Commerce or a local health practitioner you trust.
Dr. Jaeggli is a naturopathic physician who practices in Pullman and specializes in integrative, holistic family medicine.
|
