I was lucky enough to see a demonstration of Craniosacral Therapy given by Lesley Clothier at a Federation of Holistic Therapists’ event many years ago, having been debating whether or not I should undertake training in it. I was enthralled, as I think everyone was who attended. During the session on the volunteer from the delegates, Lesley sensed that the volunteer’s cranium (head) was very tight and almost immovable. It transpired that the volunteer had been involved in a car accident and metal plates had been placed in her head during the subsequent medical attention she had received. No wonder her cranium had restricted mobility.
Contrary to what some anatomy and physiology text books still state, the joints between the bones of the cranium are not fixed which, I’m sorry to say, is still being taught in some areas. There is almost imperceptible movement as the bones of the head expand and contract along the fine knitting at the joints, accommodating the flow of cerebral spinal fluid as it flows from the cranium, down the spinal cord to the sacrum and back. Craniosacral therapists tune into this flow, which has its own rhythm (the craniosacral rhythm), as a crucial part of the therapy.
Needless to say, I signed up for the course.
Craniosacral Therapy releases restrictions in the body tissues that prevent proper functioning. These restrictions can occur for many reasons, the most obvious of which is physical trauma where tissues are damaged and pain can ensue. They can also occur due to emotions having been trapped in the tissues, which can play havoc with our lives. The craniosacral rhythm is disrupted/restricted when there are problems and craniosacral therapists “listen to” or feel this rhythm when treating and aim to restore proper functioning.
Example case study:
I had a client in his forties who had become almost immobile due to the severe pain he had in his shoulder – every slight movement was excruciating. He was otherwise very fit, having run in the London Marathon a year or two earlier. When he came to see me, it was out of desperation as he was inclined to follow more orthodox routes. He had no idea what had caused this pain and wasn’t even able to drive himself.
During the second treatment, the pain localized in a particular area and his memory was suddenly sparked. He had been at the wrong end of a bad tackle whilst playing football about 20 years earlier and this was the spot that the boot had gone in. After a few sessions he was able to drive himself, the pain had become very much less, eventually disappearing and he went on to run another London marathon.
I feel that CST sort of “kick starts” the body into healing itself and healing continues between sessions in many cases. It’s quite wonderful what our bodies can do to help themselves, once they’ve been given some assistance.
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