Craniosacral

Pricing: 60 mins ($85)

This therapy has its foundations in cranial osteopathy developed by Dr William Garner Sutherland in the 1930’s. He believed that the cranial bones of an adult skull are not fused together as previously thought and can be manipulated. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) which nourishes the membrane encasing the brain, spinal cord and sacrum has a pulse rate different to that of the heart, beating at about 6-15x per minute.

Disturbances in the flow of CSF is thought to reflect pressures on skull bones or injuries/tension in the body. These disturbances can be eased by delicate manipulation boosting circulation in the head. Craniosacral Therapy is simply an extension of this, by adding that the pulse of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) affects every cell of the body by affecting the connective tissue (fascia) that links all organs, muscles, and bones.

Craniosacral Therapy techniques assist the bones of the head and the pelvis to function normally, as well as releasing restrictions in the fascia surrounding organs in the pelvis, diaphragm, chest, and neck area. The techniques are very subtle and deeply relaxing, so much so that you may fall asleep during treatment. This could be the most powerful benefit as the World Health Organization (WHO) recognises stress as the “leading cause of death”.

What to expect during a treatment session. You will be laid, fully clothed, on a treatment bed, usually with a blanket so you don’t get cold. When we fully relax and switch to the parasympathetic system, blood gets shunted to the major organs instead of the peripheries and we can feel cool. The therapist will reset CSF flow from the head and then gently place both hands on various locations over the torso, then move to the cranium and gently adjust each bone of the skull, this will be followed by some stretches. All movements are very gentle and slow, and it may not even feel like the therapist is doing anything, but they are!

This therapy is potentially beneficial for everyone especially babies or young children born with cranial disorders caused by birth, head injuries, or anyone who has had surgery as this can disrupt these membranes.