Balancing Body and Mind: The Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

A sedentary work life is the biggest drawback of the 21st century, which often comes with head, neck, and back pains due to constraints! However, you can reduce these by undertaking the correct form of therapy earlier in your life: Craniosacral Therapy!

Craniosacral therapy is an alternative medicine that employs gentle, rhythmic movements to boost cerebrospinal fluid flow from the craniosacral system (the cranium and sacrum) and connective tissues, helping relax the body from muscle pain and tension, particularly head, neck, and back.

As this massage therapy involves releasing tenseness from the head to the lower backbone, it has both physical and mental advantages.

Read on this article to explore the history, benefits, and how craniosacral therapy is performed.

History and Development of Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a medicinal osteopathic technique (drug-free, noninvasive therapy) that enhances a body’s natural inherent healing abilities by gently manipulating the connective tissues.

The root of craniosacral therapy goes back to the early 1800s in the form of osteopathic medicine. In addition, later in the 1950s, Dr. Andrew Taylor Stills further extended it into cranial osteopathy.

However, in the 1970s, John Upledger, an osteopathic doctor, developed craniosacral therapy into a modern massage technique by adding osteopathy principles.

Dr. Upledger simplified this massage technique and made it a holistic therapy, aiming to advance a person’s healing abilities using a subtle rhythmic hands-on movement in the skull and spinal bones connected to cerebrospinal fluid.

What separates it from the rest is that CST never applies force to bones and body structures. It employs light touch and gentle thumb pressure on specific points along the head, neck, spine, and back.

Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Here are some of the common advantages of craniosacral therapy. 

1. Pain Relief

By potentially improving cerebrospinal fluid flow and reducing restrictions in the craniosacral system, CST eases tension headaches and migraines.

Similar to headaches, this integrated therapy aims to address neck and back pain areas by manipulating the bones and fascia to reduce tension and improve mobility.

Moreover, Fibromyalgia, a condition causing widespread pain and tenderness in muscles, may benefit from CST's ability to promote relaxation and address pain perception.

2. Deep Relaxation and Improved Sleep

CST's gentle, noninvasive nature can induce deep relaxation, promoting stress reduction and improving the overall well-being of a person. It allows you to recharge yourself by releasing tension and stress. 

Additionally, since CST lowers stress and promotes relaxation, it indirectly enhances the quality of sleep for those struggling with sleep disorders and insomnia.

3. Enhances Body’s Healing Capability

Craniosacral therapy focuses on the rhythmic system at the core of our physiology – the pulse of energy that flows between our head and pelvic area. Due to this, the body functions more smoothly.

Additionally, connective tissues in our body work like a network; hence, when this therapy is performed, it gradually connects the cerebrospinal and lymphatic fluids to each part, stimulating the body's healing ability.

Cranial Therapy Centre in Toronto has a few studied cases of healing dyslexic children, people with autism, ear infections, and other body pains with the use of CST.

4. Remedy TMJ Dysfunction

With the help of CST’s ability to restore balance to the neurological system and unwind the tension within the bones of the skull and neck, TMJ can be remedied relatively quickly and easily.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) is a condition that affects your jaw joints, surrounding muscles, and ligaments, causing jaw pain and headaches.

Craniosacral therapy aids in improving TMJ function by addressing misalignments and tightness in the fascia and muscles around the jaw.

Overall, there are other benefits of CST, like post-surgical recovery, chronic fatigue, PTSD, etc., but they all fall under stress relief and healing, which have been discussed above.

As per your need, you can consult a professional therapist and take advantage of CST to improve your healing and reduce stress and pain.

Steps of Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy should be done under the guidance of a trained practitioner who knows how to use the correct amount of pressure and movement.

Besides, for people with TMJ, PTSD, migraines, fibromyalgia, etc., you must consult with a trained therapist and explain your conditions properly before a CST.

If you are from Des Moines, you can contact Lemon Massage Therapy for consulting with a professional and other therapeutic services.

How to Do Craniosacral Therapy at Home?

You can perform a few steps at home to address minor pain and stress. To learn how much pressure you must apply, practice by putting a coin on your arm. The coin’s weight is the maximum pressure you must apply.

You can do the following steps to relieve fascial tension and achieve a glow, release stiffness, and reduce stress and calm your mind.

1. Firstly, begin with deep and long breaths to calm yourself.  Breathe in through your belly for a count of 6 and exhale for a count of 8.

2. Then, sleep firmly on the ground on a mat or on a comfortable bed without a bump so your shoulder can stay relaxed.

3. Now, place your fingertips on your forehead and gently massage your frontal skull. Start from the midline and slowly draw them away toward the temple. This will help release fascial tension and give a glow.

4. To relieve headaches, set up your fingertips midway behind your earlobes. Now, draw your fingertips outward like you are drawing out energy without pulling your ears.

5. Likewise, to feel comfort from sinus issues, put your pinky fingers between your eyebrows, just above the nose. Like above, slowly by slowly, massage your fingers toward the top, drawing energy away.

6. Similarly, you can massage your lower back sitting on a chair with a straight posture. Gently apply pressure using your fingertips on the lower backbone so that it releases the blood flow.

While performing this massage, take a break after every few minutes and keep lying, taking deep breaths.

What’s more, it is essential that you must exercise the steps for 30 minutes for each body part you are targeting.

Conclusion

CST should not be used as a substitute for conventional medical treatment but rather as a complementary therapy that supports overall health and well-being.

As with any alternative therapy, it is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before trying craniosacral therapy, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

Furthermore, reach out to Lemon Massage Therapy for any kind of massage and therapist services in Des Moines.