What is Craniosacal Therapy?

Imagine a jellyfish expanding and contracting as it moves through the water. A similar, but far more subtle pulsation exists in human beings. This was discovered at the turn of the century by an American Osteopath, who was intrigued that the bones of the skull were joined in a manner which was designed to accommodate movement. The Cranial Rhythm, as this pulsation has become known, arises out of the Central Nervous System and the Cerebrospinal Fluid that surrounds it. It can be felt throughout the body's tissues and is fundamental to the healthy functioning of all the other body systems. When the rhythm becomes restricted or blocked, discomfort and, eventually, disease processes set in. Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle way of working with the body that utilises the Cranial Rhythm in a diagnostic and therapeutic way.

What do Craniosacral Therapist's do?

Using a very light touch Craniosacral Therapists are trained to detect disturbances in the rhythm and resolve them. This is not done through direct manipulation, but by stimulating the Cranial Rhythm in such a way that encourages a return to normal functioning. Parents are often surprised that so a light touch can produce such profound results. This is because, although the practitioner's touch is light, it is not superficial. It is interacting with the Cranial Rhythm in a focused way, hence facilitating a return to healthy functioning from the core to the periphery of the body.

Does Craniosacral Therapy have any side effects?

As Craniosacral Therapy does not impose upon the body, but stimulates it's inherent capacity for health, side effects do not arise. However, as the body shifts from states of disease to states of health there may be a period of adjustment in which things are a bit unsettled. This usually lasts for a day or two only.

Many experiences may leave patterns of traumatic holding in the body. These may be extreme life threatening events such as car crashes, muggings or rape. In America Craniosacral Therapy has been used very successfully to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in veterans of the Vietnam war . Simple accidents such as a bad fall or blow may also leave residue patterns in the tissues. Perhaps the incident happened at a time when we were very stressed or we have been brought up to 'pull ourselves together and get on with it', thus not allowing ourselves to process the shock in our systems. Emotional issues such as relationship break ups, moving home, changing job and everyday stresses and strains can also either temporarily overwhelm us or become more deeply ingrained within us, limiting our ability to move on in life. Childhood experiences, birth trauma and even pre-natal events leave very powerful shapes, for as we grow we are shaped around these shapes, just a tree may grow and shape itself around a fence or pole.

I hope you will experience this powerful therapy.

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