The body's cerebrospinal fluid is like a hydraulic pump. Subtle pulses of this fluid circulate around the brain and spinal cord, nourishing all tissues that make up the central nervous system.
Sometimes, whether from emotional or physical stress, the fluid becomes obstructed. The blockage contributes to pain and dysfunction. It can worsen or trigger migraine headaches, chronic neck or back pain, colic in babies, fatigue and other health problems. Blockage can occur at any age, even at birth.
"A lot of times babies go through trauma during delivery," explains Sarah Beth Danielsen, a CranioSacral therapist who now provides services at Greenwich Hospital's Center for Integrative Medicine in Cos Cob, CT. "Sometimes it's through c-section or extraction. Imagine the comfort of the womb environment. A baby is supposed to come out slowly, but sometimes a baby needs to be pulled out quickly and that can create trauma," Danielsen adds.
Danielsen received her training at the Upledger Institute where osteopathic physician John E. Upledger pioneered and developed this therapy after extensive scientific studies and clinical research. CransioSacral therapy involves a very gentle, hands-on touch no heavier than a coin. The therapist uses touch to locate and release blockage of the craniosacral fluid, causing a self-correcting response and deep relaxation. The patient wears loose-fitting, lightweight clothing; treatment lasts about an hour.
CransioSacral therapy safely complements the body's natural healing processes, and is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to improve resiliency. The Upledger Institute's research shows that CranioSacral therapy can help:
- Migraine headaches
- Chronic neck and back pain
- Motor-Coordination impairments
- Infant colic
- Scoliosis
- Chronic fatigue
- Emotional difficulties
- Stress and tension-related problems
- Fibromyalgia and other connective-tissue disorders
- Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
Source:
Greenwich Hospital Center for Integrative Medicine