What is Cranial Sacral Therapy?
Let's take a look at Cranial Sacral Therapy and how it can be beneficial to healing trauma.
Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST) is a type of bodywork that relieves compression in the bones of the head, sacrum (a triangular bone in the lower back), and spinal column.
CST is noninvasive. It uses gentle pressure on the head, neck, sacrum, and back to relieve the stress and pain caused by compression. It can, as a result, help to treat a number of conditions.
It’s thought that through the gentle manipulation of the bones in the skull, spine, and pelvis, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system can be normalized. This removes “blockages” from the normal flow, which enhances the body’s ability to heal.
Benefits and uses Cranial sacral therapy can be used for people of all ages. It may be part of your treatment for conditions like:
migraines and headaches
constipation
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
disturbed sleep cycles and insomnia
scoliosis
sinus infections
neck pain
fibromyalgia
recurrent ear infections or colic in infants
TMJ
trauma recovery, including trauma from whiplash
mood disorders like anxiety or depression
difficult pregnancies 1
My Experience with Cranial Sacral Therapy:
I have been fortunate to receive Cranial Sacral Therapy treatment several times in my life thus far. Each time I have received a treatment I have left with a shift in my life's perspective and a presence & calmness that feels like a I have been in meditation for hours.
Things in my life that I have clung to out of fear of change, whether that is a thought, action, emotion, etc. suddenly dissolve and I am able to see clearly what change needs to happen. This dissolving can be be both liberating and scary.
For example, after my last session I came home and finally came to terms with the allergic reaction that I was having to my dog. My histamine levels and symptoms were very high since I had adopted her, but I was in denial because she was truly my best friend and I loved her so much. The fear of no longer having her in my life and what steps I would need to take to find her a different home were previously too strong for me to overcome.
After my Cranial Sacral Therapy I was able to have a more peaceful and broad perspective that I needed to do what was best for me and my health and what would ultimately be best for my dog as well. I truly feel that pets can sense our emotions and I know that my dog would not have wanted for me to live in physical discomfort and stress.
I was able to find a new home for my dog and my body has been able to slowly recover and heal.
I definitely recommend Cranial Sacral Therapy to my clients when they are needing a treatment that will allow them to deeply relax and/or assist with the symptoms that are described in the list above.
Reference:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/cranial-sacral-therapy