What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy, or CST, is an alternative form of massage which utilizes a gentle hands-on, non-invasive approach in order to manipulate and release tension in the bones of the head, spinal column, and sacrum. Craniosacral Therapy primarily addresses asymmetry in the fluid and membranes that protect the spinal cord and brain, while simultaneously relieving pain and dysfunction to improve whole-body health and performance.

Originally pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger while at Michigan State University, CST regulates and manipulates the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which protects the brain and spinal cord from trauma.

How Does Craniosacral Therapy Work?

Our bodies endure stresses and strains on a daily basis, which take a heavy toll on our bodies. These stressors can cause body tissues to tighten and distort the craniosacral system, which means our central nervous system can't operate as well.

To alleviate these stress points, our practitioner at Wayfare Wellness, Sarah, uses non-invasive soft touch massage techniques around the craniosacral system. By using these light-touch techniques, our practitioner can identify the rhythm of your craniosacral system, along with any tense areas, and help align the flow of CSF. These gentle methods help our massage therapist find your specifically blocked areas of stress or obstruction in CSF flow.

What Conditions Can Craniosacral Therapy Treat?

Since the conception of craniosacral therapy and massage in the 1970's, CST has been found to be effective in addressing numerous physiological issues, primarily associated with blockages in the craniosacral system. These conditions include:

• Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuires

• Migraines and Headaches

• Chronic Neck and Back Pain

• Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

• Autism

• Stress and Tension-Related Disorders

With research continuing to back up this innovative massage therapy, we're only beginning to scratch the surface of what conditions CST can treat.

A common misconception we see often is when clients come in seeking a cranial sacral massage under the presumption that the massage therapist will be working on their chakras or performing reiki. While the experience of the two types of treatment can be characterized as quite similar, with both therapies tapping into the body's ability to self-heal, the execution of these treatments are fundamentally very different.

Cranial Sacral Massage vs Spiritual Healing

Before we dive into the differences, let's make sure we fully understand what cranial sacral massage is and what spiritual healing is.

Getting Familiar With Cranial Sacral Massage

Cranial sacral massage holds focus on the physical body, however, it does not include the hallmarks that make up traditional massage therapy. Rather than spinal manipulations and firm pressure, cranial sacral massage utilizes a light pressure that encourages the flow of CSF fluid to relieve imbalances and disruptions in the body's movements and rhythms. You can learn more about how cranial sacral therapy works here.

That Sounds A Lot Like Chakra Work...

It is very easy to misinterpret how cranial sacral massage differs from some of its similar counterparts in the therapy world. Therapies like Reiki, chakra work, or other forms of spiritual healing have unique characteristics that make them different from one another, but they all fall into an entirely separate category that makes them stand apart from cranial sacral massage.

Cranial Sacral Massage Does Not Work On The Spiritual Body

Chakra work focuses on the spiritual body and restoring the balance of energy that flows in and out of each chakra. When a practitioner performs any sort of spiritual healing for a client, they act as a channel for the fundamental energy to flow through. They operate on the principle that the energy they transfer has its own intelligence and will either flow to where it is needed or be discarded.

Cranial Sacral Massage Manipulates The Central Nervous System

A spiritual healer recognizes the chakra system and works directly with it to cleanse, balance, and strengthen them while a massage therapist performing cranial sacral massage works directly with the central nervous system to restore the body's natural working order.