The system of re-establishing symmetry of joint mobility and soft tissue tension is known as cranio-sacral balancing. This type of therapy is a gentle type of holistic healing technique that originated from Oriental therapies, cranial osteopathy, and bodywork. It practices light touch to assess and treat problems in the cranio-sacral system (i.e. the membranes and the cerebrospinal fluid, which protect the spinal cord and brain) helping bring about a sense of balance from the apex of the head to the bottom of the spine.
A practitioner of cranio-sacral therapy (CST) monitors the cranio-sacral rhythm of the wavelike motion of the cerebro-spinal fluid. He then applies a gentle touch on the interconnected membranes of the brain, the sacrum, and the cranial bones. This is a very light technique that is very non-invasive, yet very exact. After a session, you will feel deeply relaxed & balanced. Cranio-sacral balancing is often used at the end of a general massage or other treatment session.
The patient is treated on a massage table wearing full clothing or a gown. The therapist then lightly palpates the areas of the body (including the head, and the sacrum at the bottom of the spine), feeling the cerebrospinal fluid’s CRI or cranial rhythmic impulse using a very light touch. The aim of the treatment is to reestablish balance by eliminating the restrictions to the flow of the CRI to promote the self-healing processes of the body. A session of CST usually lasts around 30 minutes to an hour. It is a safe procedure that everyone, including the elderly, babies, children, and teens can avail of.
Cranio sacral therapy lessens the risk of tightness and pain returning and minimizes post treatment soreness. It is especially helpful for lower back and neck pain, TMJ, and headaches. It can help treat various conditions as it has the ability to affect all aspects of the body by improving spinal cord and brain function, alleviating stress, and boosting overall health. It can also be used for conditions such as hormonal imbalances, hyperactivity, birth trauma, brain injury, digestive and nervous system disorders, depression, sports injuries, postsurgical care, coordination problems, scoliosis, and chronic pain. If you suffer from issues for which your healthcare provider can find no cause, Craniosacral Therapy, can be of help to you.
Zuobiao (Roy) Yuan is a licensed acupuncturist and doctor of chinese medicine of in Edina, MN.