Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

This therapy originated with Dr. William G. Sutherland (1873-1954). Sutherland's teacher, Dr. Andrew Still had taught his students that all body's structures determine a specific function, and that each structure has a specific function. With this in mind, Sutherland began wondering what the complex sutures in the cranial bones represented in the way of function, which caused a flash of inspiration that the design was for a respiratory function.

As a result of his research and insight, he discovered that there was a 'primary respiratory mechanism' in the physiologic system. In time his discovery may be recognized as one of the most important in physiology. He found that: 1) The central nervous system inherently moves in an organized cycle of swelling and receding, 2) The fluid it manufactures (the cerebrospinal fluid) fluctuates in rhythm with it, 3) The skull, spine and sacrum and the tough membranes (dura mater) encasing the brain and spinal cord accommodate for this motion.

This movement, the swelling and receding, can be felt by a trained professional in all areas of the body including, the cranium and sacrum. Sutherland maintained that this motion was the mechanical manifestation of the body's dynamic system of maintenance and self-healing. The fluctuation brings nutrients, peptides, hormones and other essential substances to all the cells of the body, and washes away all the waste products. This fluctuation of fluid is associated with an electromagnetic energy, which also cycles from positive to negative. It works within the extra-cellular fluid which contains the connective tissue."

BENEFITS OF CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY
In addition to relieving conditions of biomechanical imbalance and nerve dysfunction, such as pain, numbness, weakness and tingling, it may also reduce swelling, sharpen cognition, improve function of the organs, enhance breathing, increase energy levels, allow restful sleep and relaxation and provide a sense of well-being, confidence and self-awareness. As opposed to the goal of conventional medicine which is to fight disease, Craniosacral Therapy stimulates the body's own resources to generate its own healing.

RESTRICTION OF MOVEMENT
Dr. Still taught that areas of mechanical restriction serve as focal points for the origin of disease processes, because they impair the normal function of joints, nerves and the flow of blood and lymph. The goal is to relieve this restriction and allow proper function to return. A treating practioner may achieve a balanced tension in the tissues in order to release the distorted shape and charge (or tissue memory), the restricted motion and the diminished healing potential. Knowledge of the exact nature of the injury and/or details of anatomy are vital in this practice that combines art and science of medicine coming together to promote deep level healing. It is a deeper form of healing than most because it removes the trauma memory in the nervous system. (If this memory is not removed from the nervous system, chronic illness could develop in future years due to the residual trauma feedback loop.)

TREATMENT
In a typical session, the clothed client lies face up on a comfortable table while the practioner gently places his/her hands lightly on various areas of the body to identify where the fluctuation of fluid is diminished or distorted and then assists in normalization and promotion of healing. A treatment can last from 20 to 60 minutes, but is usually around 1/2 hour.

EFFECTS AND RESULTS OF TREATMENTS
The effects of the treatment may be immediate and/or cumulative and at times remove the need for surgery and prescriptive drugs. Usually the treatment is very relaxing and sometimes induces a trance-like state or sleep. Sometimes a physical discomfort arises at an area of major trauma but is only short term. Emotional discomfort such as fear or grief could arise. As these feelings arise the healing of the whole body occurs.

Younger healthier patients generally respond more quickly and completely. The more severe and chronic the imbalance, the longer the healing process may take. Usually treatments are every other week, but difficult, chronic conditions might be treated weekly, for several months.

TREATING BABIES, CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Treatment of a baby may permanently remove possibility of illness in later years. Indicators for treatment include prolonged or difficult birth (including Caesarean birth), excessive crying, poor sleep, poor ability to suckle, spitting up and distorted face, neck, shoulders, etc. Later in teenaged years, treatment of scoliosis often eliminates any sign of spinal curvature. Other imbalances that respond well to treatment include: learning disabilities, focus/attention problems, allergies, asthma and even ear infections.

OTHER TREATABLE CONDITIONS

*ringing in the ears/ dizziness	*colitis	*urinary incontinence
*low back or neck pain	*PMS	*ruptured discs
*headaches	*TMJ	*Bell's Palsy
*trauma to the spine	*pain	*trauma/injury
*tingling or weakness of the extremities		*carpal tunnel
*thoracic outlet syndrome	*sciatica	*fractures/sprains