Cranio-Sacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is considered more of an alternative medicine practice, but some massage schools offer the therapy as part of their curriculum.
CST has been shown to ease a wide range of conditions, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, motor-coordination impairments, scoliosis, chronic neck and back pain, central nervous system disorders, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), stress, tension-related and emotional problems, and orthopedic problems as well. The relief a client finds in Craniosacral Therapy is generally from the realigning of the spine by using very gentle, subtle movements that will bring the nervous system back into its natural position.
CST practitioners work with muscle tissue and bone structure to regain alignment where it has been lost. This is said to bring better health and quick healing. This therapy involves assessing the movement of the spinal fluid, which if restricted can bring upon further pain as well as emotional problems.
The main focus of CST is to uncover the source of the problem but in doing so clients have experienced symptom relief. The length of time and amount of sessions needed varies and depends on the complex layers of injury and the extremity of the trauma that sometimes masks the original cause of the problem. Because of its gentle effectiveness, CST has been incorporated into many personal wellness programs. Clients report having more energy, being sick less often and sleeping better.
By gently working with the skull, spine and fascia, the nerve passages are said to become more at ease. In CST, fingers are the best tools for assessing problem areas. Once the therapist has worked some relaxation in the tissue, manipulation of the bones is made easier. In order to practice this form of therapy, one must already be licensed to work as a Massage Therapist and must complete additional training. This technique is far more complicated than most techniques used in Massage Therapy and the additional training is therefore essential.
