8 Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy offers many benefits.

In general, craniosacral therapy may promote:

• Healing, alleviating a range of illness and dysfunction, including chronic pain, central nervous system disorders, head and neck pain, TMJ dysfunction, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, seizure disorders, hormonal imbalances, chronic sinusitis, and more
• Improved functioning of the autonomic nervous system, enabling the body to respond more effectively to stress
• Improved immune system function
• Release of tissue and bone restrictions, improving mobility
• Tension release
• Pain alleviation
• Energy flow
• Overall relaxation and revitalization

You can learn how to alleviate the restrictions on the craniosacral flow that can cause illness, pain, and dysfunction with craniosacral therapy. Craniosacral therapy is a holistic, hands-on technique in which the practitioner creates very subtle movements, mostly along the bony structures of the cranium and at the sacrum, using concepts that date back thousands of years and buttressed by 20th century medical research.

The craniosacral system covers the area from the cranium to the sacrum, including the structures of the brain, the spinal column, the spinal cord, the network of nerves branching from the spinal cord, the connective tissue involved between the bones of the vertebral column and spinal cord, and, finally, the cerebrospinal fluid of the body. A set of rhythms — the “breath of life” — are central to the functioning of the craniosacral system, and they can be palpated.

Massage Therapists, Doctors of Osteopathy (DO), Chiropractors, Dentists and Physical Therapists are using Craniosacral Therapy Techniques to benefit their patients. Knowledge of the skeletal system is essential to perform these techniques, especially knowledge of the bones of the head and the spine.

To understand how craniosacral therapy affects the “breath of life,” the flow of energy through the body, professionals need an understanding of the anatomy of the craniosacral system . The craniosacral system includes the cranium, all the bones of the vertebral column, the sacrum, the brain, the spinal cord, the meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid which runs throughout the system.

Craniosacral therapy is not recommended in cases of:

• Severe systemic infections
• Recent skull fracture
• Intracranial hemorrhage, or aneurysm
• Herniation of the brain stem

Craniosacral therapy has been successfully used to treat headaches, problems with the temporomandibular joint (the hinge of the jaw, often called the TMJ), nervous system disorders, and stress. To give you an idea of how much you can charge, the current rate for this treatment is $75 for one hour at the Beaumont Health System.

A full session generally lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. The client can remain fully clothed. The client lays supine, face up, on a massage table while the practitioner applies craniosacral therapy.

Bodywork, medical professionals and CST practitioners can benefit from the techniques taught in the  Craniosacral Therapy Techniques instructional video by Aesthetic VideoSource. Certified Massage Therapist, John Hoffmann, demonstrates the techniques used in a general craniosacral therapeutic session to assess and palpate the fluidity of the craniosacral system which affects the body’s overall health.

In addition to the demonstration, Hoffmann also discusses the benefits and contraindications, origins and theories underlying craniosacral therapy, the craniosacral system’s anatomy and physiology and how the system affects the body’s well being, the anatomy and physiology of fascia diaphragms, and how to integrate craniosacral therapy with other modalities.

“The craniosacral fluid is the source of healing and vitality,” says Hoffmann. “In a state of deep relaxation and quiet, a practitioner can tap into the body’s own innate abilities to heal itself.”

John Hoffmann is an incredibly detailed teacher who explains each step thoroughly so that you can easily grasp the concepts in his craniosacral therapy training and incorporate them into your every day practice.

He is a Certified Massage Therapist, practicing in the Los Angeles area for over 15 years. He holds two Bachelors Degrees, as well as a Certificate in Craniosacral Therapy from the Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing in California.

Contact Info — The Craniosacral Therapy Techniques DVD (2 Hrs. 27 Mins.) can be ordered online or by calling toll free 1-800-414-2434 or 801-282-2490. We ship worldwide.

Click here to order the The Craniosacral Therapy Techniques training video online (2 Hrs. 27 Mins.).

This DVD received a Bronze Telly Award.

If you would like to expand your massage therapy education, Aesthetic VideoSource has a huge selection of massage and reflexology online training videos & DVDs.

If you would like to get approved massage continuing education credits for Craniosacral Therapy, you can take an online course that includes step-by-step online training videos on the Jumozy website at https://www.jumozy.com/course-catalog/craniosacral/craniosacral-therapy-5-ce-hrs-m87c.html

This is a great opportunity to learn how to provide the benefits of Craniosacral Therapy for your clients.