Craniosacral Therapy (CST) also know as Cranial Sacral Therapy and Massage, is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. It was pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger (who Dr. Gantt studied under) after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University where he served as professor of biomechanics.
Using a soft touch which is generally no greater than 5 grams – about the weight of a nickel – practitioners release restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system. CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and it's effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.
What do We cover?
- How does Craniosacral Therapy Work?
- What conditions is Cranosacral Therapy used for?
- Conditions CranioSacral Therapy is not be used for?
How does Cranial Sacral Therapy Work?
The brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) have a major influence over the body’s ability to function properly. The central nervous system is heavily protected, fed, oxygenated and cleansed by the fluid and membranes of the cranial sacral system.
Every day your body experiences stresses and strains (knocks and bangs of living) that it must work to compensate for. Occasionally, more traumatic events occur. Unfortunately, these changes can cause body tissues to tighten and distort the craniosacral system. These distortions can then cause tension to form around the brain and spinal cord resulting in restrictions. This can create a barrier to the healthy performance of the central nervous system, and potentially every other system it interacts with.
Fortunately, such restrictions can be detected and corrected using simple methods of touch. With a light touch, the CST practitioner uses his or her hands to evaluate the craniosacral system by gently feeling various locations of the body to test for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid pulsing around the brain and spinal cord. Soft-touch techniques are then used to release restrictions in any tissues influencing the craniosacral system.
By normalizing the environment around the brain and spinal cord and enhancing the body’s ability to self-correct, CranioSacral Therapy is able to alleviate a wide variety of dysfunctions, from chronic pain and sports injuries to stroke and neurological impairment.
What conditions does Cranial Sacral Therapy address?
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
- Central Nervous System Disorders
- Chronic Neck and Back Pain
- Infant and Childhood Disorders
- Migraine & other Headaches
- Motor-Coordination Impairments
- PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Stress and Tension Related Disorders
- And Many Other Conditions
What are the conditions when CST should not be used?
There are certain situations where application of CST would not be recommended. These include conditions where a variation and/or slight increase in intracranial pressure would cause instability. Acute aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage or other preexisting severe bleeding disorders are examples of conditions that could be affected by small intracranial pressure changes.
Training:
Dr. Gantt is a table trainer for Craniosacral Therapy. He trains other practitioners in addition to his practice. Please contact him by phone for his training schedule and availability to consult on difficult cases.
How many Craniosacral Therapy sessions will I need?
Cases in Sacramento like cases everywhere are unique and each individual's response to CST varies. Your response is uniquely your own and can't be compared to anyone else's — even cases and individuals that appear to be similar often take different paths and times to recovery. The number of sessions needed can be as little as one or some cases of up to three (or even more) a week over the course of several weeks.
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