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Craniosacral Therapy
What is craniosacral therapy?
Craniosacral therapy is a subtle and profound healing form which assists the body's natural capacity for self-repair. Through gentle touch, therapists ‘listen’ to a subtle movement of the spinal and cranial bones to bring the central nervous system into harmony. This therapy involves assessing and addressing the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which can be restricted by trauma to the body through, for example, falls, accidents, and general nervous tension.
By very gently palpating the spine, the skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia, the restrictions of nerve passages are eased, the movement of CSF through the spinal cord can be optimised, and misaligned bones can be restored to their proper position. This therapy is said to be particularly useful for mental stress, neck and back pain, migraines, jaw joint disorders and for chronic nervous conditions such as fibromyalgia.
How can craniosacral therapy help?
The first thing you will probably notice is a sense of deep relaxation, which will generally last throughout the session. With subsequent treatments this release of tension often extends into everyday life. The work can address physical aches and pains, acute and chronic disease, emotional or psychological disturbances, or simply help to develop well-being, health and vitality.
Treatment can aid almost any condition, raising vitality and improving the body's capacity for self-repair. With medical treatment for breast cancer, it can help to relieve side effects through its gentle balancing action in the body.
Sometimes the benefits are not immediately noticeable but become obvious on returning to a familiar environment. The work can involve resolution of past events and is often profoundly relaxing, deeply moving and exhilarating.
What happens in a craniosacral therapy session?
In a typical craniosacral session, you will usually lie (or sometimes sit) fully-clothed on a treatment couch. The therapist will make contact by placing her hands lightly on or under the back of your head or any part of the body and tuning in to what is happening by ‘listening’ with her hands. Contact is made carefully so that you will feel at ease with what is happening.
When can craniosacral therapy be given?
Craniosacral therapy is appropriate at any stage of breast cancer and is so gentle that it is suitable for people in fragile or acutely painful conditions.
Number and length of appointments
Craniosacral therapy is generally given as a short course of treatments of an hour each.
For a pdf factsheet, please click here.