CranioSacral Therapy (or Cranial Sacral Therapy)

This therapy is claimed to be particularly useful for neck and back pain, migraines, TMJ Syndrome, and even for chronic nervous conditions such as fibromyalgia.

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Patrick of Inner West Mobile Massage has a Certificate in Myofascial Release and Craniosacral Therapy from the NSW School of Massage and is available for home visits throughout the Inner West of Sydney. Call 0421 410057 if you wish to make a booking.

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An osteopath William Sutherland was responsible for the origins of Craniosacral therapy. When he was studying a skull, he noticed that the cranial sutures of the temporal bones were 'beveled like the gills of a fish'. The concept that the cranial bones could move was contrary to the thinking at that time.

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Sutherland spent many years studying his theory and he concluded that the bones of the skull can move along their sutures and any impediment to their movement could lead to dysfunction.

From 1975 to 1983, John Upledger and Ernest W. Retzlaff worked at Michigan State University as a clinical researchers and professors. They set up a team of to study Sutherland's theory of cranial bone movement.

Upledger and Retzlaff went on to publish their results, which showed support for both the concept of cranial bone movement and the concept of a cranial rhythm. Upledger developed his own treatment style, and when he started to teach his work to a group of students who were not osteopaths he generated the term 'CranioSacral therapy'.

A typical Craniosacral therapy session usually lasts about 60 minutes and is performed with the client fully clothed. In the Upledger method of Craniosacral therapy, a ten-step protocol provides a guideline. These steps includes (1) analyzing the base (existing) cranial rhythm, (2) creating a still point in that rhythm at the base of the skull, (3) rocking the sacrum, (4) lengthening the spine in the lumbar-sacral region, (5) dealing with the pelvic, respiratory and thoracic diaphragms, and (6-10) addressing each one of the cranial bones. There is practitioner discretion as to which steps are suitable and appropriate for each client. The steps may or may not be followed in sequential order depending on the injuries and time restraints.

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