What is CranioSacral Therapy?

 

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a subtle hands on non invasive therapy, that has roots in both Osteopathy and Cranial Osteopathy but focuses more on the fascia lining the bones of the head and vertebral column, called the meninges but most specifically the outer layer known as the dura.

It is a safe, gentle and effective manual therapy that works by facilitating the body’s own natural healing powers to remove or lessen negative effects of stress on the Central Nervous System (CNS). This is a powerful therapy that affects the Central Nervous System to assist in improving the function of the whole body.

It works by treating a physiological system known as the CranioSacral System, which houses and protects the CNS (the brain and spinal cord), as well as keeping it functioning smoothly.

The CranioSacral System is made of the protective membranes (especially the Dura Mater) and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and the bones and spinal cord, and the bones to which the membranes attach, all the way from the head to the tail (cranium to sacrum/coccyx).

Therefore, CST addresses restrictions to the physiological motion of the cranial vault, the cervical spine, the thoracolumbar spine, the sacropelvic region, the coccygeal region and all of it’s fascial connections, including the extremities.

During treatment a therapist can work anywhere on the body although many areas affect and are affected by the fascia between the cranium and the sacrum.