What Is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy refers to a holistic treatment approach that promotes homeostasis in the craniosacral system of the body. During this therapy the therapist performs a very delicate touch in the body which results in maintaining balance in nervous system, body fluids, bone structure, connective tissues of cranium and spinal area. It is assumed that the therapy was originally developed in China, but it has been modernized during early 1900s by Dr. William Sutherland, an American osteopathic physician. This therapy has been further developed by Dr. John Upledger, an osteopathic physician from Michigan University.

Research suggests that craniosacral therapy is particularly useful in treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, headache, earache, pain and holistic health maintenance. It is also found beneficial in the treatment of autism, chronic sinus infection, osteoarthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, dyslexia, depression, etc.

The craniosacral therapy consists of five phases or techniques, namely,

(1) Energy cyst release – release foreign and disruptive energy from the body

(2) Direction of energy – transform energy from the therapist to the patient and back to the therapist again by using hand only

(3) Myofascial release – release tension in the fascia or connective tissue of the body

(4) Position of release – put patient's body in a particular position in order to identify the craniosacral rhythm in the body

(5) Somatoemotional release – release the residual effect of mind and body

The reported side-effects are temporary in nature as it is associated with the discomfort experienced by the patients getting back life into the numb or injured areas.