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.
