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Craniosacral Therapy

Many parents of children with special needs resort to alternative medicine when they are not satisfied with the techniques or results of clinical methods used by their child’s physician or therapists. One such therapy that a parent may consider is called craniosacral therapy (CST). CST is a holistic form of treatment that is based on nurturing the systems in the body and promoting physical vitality and well-being.

CST became an established technique in the early 1900's by an osteopath named William Sutherland. Dr. Sutherland discovered that there are movements in the bones of the skull and that the movements in the skull are vital in order for health to exist. He also found there to be rhythmic tidal motions in the body, which are used to determine the health of the nervous system.

The theory behind the use of CST is based heavily on the rhythmic motions felt in the body. The craniosacral "system" begins with the head and ends with the sacrum (or tailbone). Within this system, there is cerebral spinal fluid surrounding the brain and the spine that is being pumped throughout the system, creating a gentle pulsation or rhythm. The rhythm is detected by palpating (feeling) the bones, and when there is an abnormal movement felt in the bone, it indicates that there is a restriction in the flow of spinal fluid. Therefore, since all nerves originate somewhere within the craniosacral system, when there is a restriction, pain results somewhere in the body. Also, since the craniosacral system influences many body functions, when the system is out of balance, the brain and spinal cord may be affected, which can cause sensory, motor, and neurological dysfunction.

It is the role of the practitioner, then, to detect where these restrictions are and free up the flow to restore health to that particular area. The practitioner is trained to "listen" to the pulsation throughout the body, and then through specific movement techniques, gently adjust the segments in the skull. The pressure typically used is equivalent to the weight of a nickel. The client may feel a deep sense of relaxation combined with sensations of heat and tingling. Many of the movements performed by the practitioner are so subtle, that the patients do not feel anything.

The goal of CST is to determine the cause of the condition and then eliminate it. The therapy itself does not heal the person, but promotes the body’s own healing mechanisms to improve the operation of the central nervous system. There are three separate approaches to CST:

• Sutural Approach - this technique involves the practitioner manipulating the sutures of the skull to ease pressure and increase the mobility of the cranial bones.

• Meningeal Approach - this technique is based on the idea that tension or restriction in the meninges creates disturbances in the craniosacral system. This therapy involves the practitioner to use hands-on contact with the bones of the craniosacral system to release restriction of the cranial sutures.

• Reflex Approach - this technique triggers the nervous system to turn off stress signals due to stimulation of nerve endings in the scalp or between cranial sutures.

Craniosacral therapy can be used for physical aches and pains, acute and chronic diseases, emotional or psychological disturbances, or to promote well-being. It is a very gentle therapy and has been used on individuals of all ages, including infants. CST has been used to treat individuals with: asthma, autism, birth trauma, cerebral palsy, genetic and neurological disorders, digestive problems, hyperactivity, immune system disorders, insomnia, sinusitis, spinal curvatures, and visual disturbances.

The techniques used for children are not the same as those used on adults because the cranial bones are still developing. Therefore, the practitioner must be able to determine the correct amount of pressure and determine the affected areas, since some children will be unable to guide them verbally. Some practitioners say that as a result of CST, they have seen previously non-ambulatory children learn to walk with assistance. Others say they have seen positive changes in children with ADHD.

Though the therapy appears to be safe and effective based on statements made by several different professional organizations, craniosacral therapy is not for everyone. The National Down Syndrome Congress states that CST is a concern because there is significant evidence of cranio-cervical abnormalities and marked ligmentation and joint laxity in individuals with Down syndrome. They further conclude with, "The philosophy and physiology of this technique is not documented nor scientifically proven by prospective research nor retrospective analysis." In addition, according to the United Cerebral Palsy Association, in regards to the use of alternative medicine, including craniosacral therapy, there are no scientifically acceptable studies proving the effectiveness of alternative medicine in the treatment of cerebral palsy.

So, what should you do if you are considering craniosacral therapy for your child? According to the National Center for Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, there are several issues to consider:

• Assess the safety and effectiveness. As mentioned earlier, though many practitioners will claim that it is a safe and gentle method, craniosacral therapy is not safe for everyone. Before you start this or any other type of therapy, always discuss it with your child’s physician. The physician may not agree with the effectiveness of a particular therapy, however, the most important thing is that the physician agrees that the method is safe for your child.

• Examine the practitioner’s expertise. Contact a state or local regulatory agency with authority over the type of practitioner you are considering bringing your child to see. You may also want to contact the American Craniosacral Therapy Association or the International Association of Healthcare Practitioners, both of which can be found at http://upledger.com/. Also, ask to speak with other parents who have sought services from the provider and speak with the practitioner himself before beginning any therapy. Ask the practitioner about his education, additional training, licenses, and certifications. Look for a practitioner who is easy to talk to; you should be able to speak openly with the practitioner.

• Consider the service delivery. The conditions under which the therapy is given is an important issue. Visit the practitioner’s office and look at the conditions of it. The most important thing to look for is that the service delivery adheres to regulated standards for medical safety and care.

• Consider the costs. Since many insurance companies do not cover this type of therapy, find out what other practitioners are charging for the same type of treatment. Regulatory agencies and the professional associations mentioned above may be able to provide cost information as well.

If you are interested in learning more about craniosacral therapy, please visit the following web sites:

• The Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK http://www.craniosacral.co.uk/index.html#index
• Interconnections http://www.interconnections.co.uk
• Dolphin Holistic Enterprises http://dolphinsoftware.bc.ca/holistic/index.html
• Alternative Medicine Online http://library.advanced.org/24206/craniosacral-therapy.html
• Network Chiropractic http://10ac.com/network/CranioSacral_text.htm
• The Upledger Institute, Inc. http://upledger.com
• National Down Syndrome Congress http://nhic-nt.health.org/Scripts/Entry.cfm?HRCode=HR2011
• National Center for Alternative and Complimentary Medicine http://nccam.nih.gov/nccam
• United Cerebral Palsy Association http://www.ucpa.org/html/research/altmed.html

 

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