Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Did you know that we have a third pulse rhythm in our spine area, also known as the “Breath of Life”? Craniosacral therapy can support the consistent functioning of this rhythm, contributing to all our bodily systems, our mental health, as well as our spiritual wellbeing with benefits to our energy flow.

Today is World Spine Day. On this meaningful day, we are talking about a therapy valuable for maintaining your spinal health, which helps you bear all the burdens of life and still stands strong and straight, squat comfortably and get quality sleep. That is, the craniosacral therapy.

Our spine, which is made up of 33 vertebrae arranged one below the other from our skull (cranial) to our sacrum, is also responsible for protecting our central nervous system, a.k.a., the spinal cord. So its bond with our craniosacral system, covering our brain and spinal cord membranes and fascia tissue, is unquestionable.

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle alternative treatment that aids us combat spinal problems like neck pain and posture disorders, as well as severe conditions including intense migraines and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Now, let’s take a closer look at craniosacral therapy and its benefits.

Brief History 

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) was first introduced by William Sutherland, today considered the grandfather of cranial osteopathy, in the late 1800s when he discovered that the bones of the skull moved and there was a rhythmic fluid action involving the entire body. Sutherland called this combination of rhythmic movement the “primary respiratory mechanism”. Later, during an operation in 1975, osteopathic physician Dr. John E. Upledger noticed a subtle rhythmic movement in the nervous system and dura (the membrane of the brain and spinal cord) at a rate different from the patient’s respiration and heart rates. He founded the Upledger Institute in 1985 to raise awareness about CST, which he developed based on this craniosacral rhythm.

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

CST is a non-invasive therapy to release blockages in our craniosacral system, optimizing our cranial rhythm to increase our self-healing power. 

The definition of craniosacral rhythm is a bit more complex...Cerebrospinal fluid travels like a tidal wave along our spine and nervous system with the surrounding fascia tissue, rotating six to ten times per minute. To encourage this flow, our skull simultaneously contracts and expands, and our spine lengthens and shortens. 

The rhythmic movement of the bones from our skull to our pelvis, together with the flow of said spinal fluid, creates what is called a craniosacral rhythm, a rare and slim pulse, one tenth of a heartbeat. As this rhythm is the first wave of energy that begins when we are born, it's also referred to as the “Breath of Life”.

How Does It Work?

Just as a cardiologist treats our cardiovascular system, a craniosacral therapist examines and heals the pulse of our craniosacral rhythm. To do this, they focus on the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through our fascia, also called the dura mater. 

After a consultation with your therapist to identify problem areas, you are invited to a room accompanied by calm music and dim lighting and first, your craniosacral pulse is sought with hand and finger pressures of less than 5 grams on your craniosacral system. Once your therapist notices a change in the flow, he/she then follows the direction of the flow with the same light touches, carefully presses the fluids and continues the therapy until the rhythm is restored.

What Are The Benefits?

Boosts your immunity: CST aims to keep your craniosacral rhythm working smoothly, thus ensuring that your hormones, neurotransmitters and immune cells circulate throughout your body, your brain and nervous system get duly nourished and function optimally. This in result optimizes your self-healing abilities.

Balances your circulation: CST helps to balance the flow of your blood and lymphatic circulation, as it follows the flow in the myofascial tissue with very light touches without harming your muscle tissue.

Relieves your pain: When your craniosacral rhythm is disrupted for any reason such as acute injuries, postural disorders, you experience intense pains and aches in your central nervous system, including migraines. By restoring this rhythm, CST assists in reducing such pain. A 2008 study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies states that when practiced regularly, this therapy can relieve migraine attacks without strong medication.

Supports your dental health: During and after your orthodontic treatment requiring jaw alignment, your skull bones and muscles may feel uncomfortable. Regular CST practice helps to relax these muscles and align your jaw painlessly.

Releases your life energy (Qi): According to ancient Indian and Chinese philosophies, when your chakras from the highest part of your head (Crown/Sahasrara Chakra) to the end of your spine (Root/Muladhara Chakra) are open, your Qi flow remains balanced. So, almost every chakra is highly connected to your craniosacral system and your ‘breath of life’ rhythm. When you regain this rhythm thanks to CST, your chakra frequencies and your life energy regain their flow.

Invigorates your emotional health: All the emotional and physical traumas of your past, including those you inherited genetically, are stored in your myofascial tissue and left untreated, may cause depression, anxiety, lack of focus and chronic physical tensions. CST allows you to release the emotional pain that is trapped in your body by helping to release this tension.

Elevates your awareness: The craniosacral rhythm is more than a physical cycle; it is an elegant wave of intelligence and consciousness created by your nervous system. So, your body knows internally how to bring this rhythm back and directs the therapist accordingly. As this wave of consciousness is restored, supported by the relaxing, meditative approach of the therapy, it becomes easier for you to reach mindfulness.

Who Can Try It?

According to Upledger Institute, the problems such as spinal pain and posture disorders, central nervous system diseases, migraine, stress and PTSD, and chronic fatigue aside diseases including Alzheimer’s, brain injuries, autism in children, fibromyalgia, stroke etc. can be treated with CST. 

Today, besides physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors, many specialized massage therapists can perform CST. But please note the value of receiving this therapy from licensed and experienced practitioners with the necessary training.  

Any Potential Risks?

Considering the lightness of CST's application techniques, we can say that it’s one of the therapies with the lowest side effects and risks. In fact, with its gentle approach, it’s generally considered risk-free even for pregnant women. Another great thing about the therapy is that it can be applied alone or in combination with other alternative therapies. But you should remember that craniosacral therapy is more of a preventive therapy than a remedy, particularly for serious illnesses. Therefore, although scientific studies have shown its contribution to issues such as fibromyalgia, dental health, migraine, child autism, it's hard to claim that the CST will provide definitive results for every chronic disorder.

In addition, experts do not recommend receiving craniosacral therapy without your doctor’s explicit approval if you’ve experienced:

• Recent concussion,
• Brain aneurysm and cerebral swelling,
• Serious bleeding disorders,
• Traumatic brain injury.

Today, craniosacral therapy is considered to be one of the fastest growing applied treatment modalities in alternative medicine and is often preferred for its ease and safety, as well as for its effective results. May be worth a try, especially if you’re spending more hours at your desk, or experiencing a migraine attack or any other physical, emotional or mental state that does not somewhat serve your wellbeing. 

If you also would like to explore myofascial release therapy, which focuses directly on your fascia and relaxes your muscular system, you can take a look at our article, “What is Myofascial Release Therapy?”.