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What is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy?
by Michael Kern,
DO., R.C.S.T., M.I.Cr.A., N.D.
Life
and Motion
Life
expresses itself as motion. At a deep level of
our physiological functioning all healthy, living
tissues subtly "breathe" with
the motion of life - a phenomenon that produces
rhythmic impulses which can be palpated by sensitive
hands. The presence of these subtle rhythms in
the body was discovered by osteopath Dr William
Sutherland over 100 years ago, after he had a remarkable
insight while examining the specialized articulations
of cranial bones. Contrary to popular belief Dr
Sutherland realized that cranial sutures were,
in fact, designed to express small degrees of motion.
He undertook many years of research during which
he demonstrated the existence of this motion and
eventually concluded it is essentially produced
by the body's inherent life force, which he referred
to as the "Breath of Life." Furthermore,
Dr Sutherland discovered that the motion of cranial
bones he first discovered is closely connected
to subtle movements that involve a network of interrelated
tissues and fluids at the core of the body; including
cerebrospinal fluid (the 'sap in the tree'), the
central nervous system, the membranes that surround
the central nervous system and the sacrum. |
The "Breath of Life"
The Breath of Life produces
a series of subtle rhythms that may be palpated
in the body and which make up an integrated physiological
system. At least three subtle rhythms have been
identified in this "primary respiratory system",
each having a different rate and producing rhythms
within rhythms. These three "tides" are
referred to as:
The cranial rhythmic impulse; a more superficial rhythm expressed at an average
rate of 8-12 cycles per minute,
The mid-tide; a tidal rhythm that carries ordering forces into the body expressed
at a slower rate of approximately 2.5 cycles per minute and
The long tide; a deep and slow rhythmic impulse expressed about once every 100
seconds. The long tide is considered to be the first stirring of life and motion
as the Breath of Life emerges from a deeper ground of stillness at the center
of our being. |
Essential Ordering Principle
In the biodynamic approach
of craniosacral work the subtle rhythms produced
by the Breath of Life are regarded as expressions
of health that carry an essential ordering principle
for both body and mind. Dr Sutherland realized
the important role played by the fluids in the
body (particularly cerebrospinal fluid) in helping
to disseminate these ordering forces throughout
the body.
The essential ordering principle carried in the rhythms of the Breath of Life
acts as a blueprint for health which is present from the time of our early embryological
development and is the
fundamental factor that maintains balance in our form and function. Thus, the
ability of cells and tissues to express their primary respiratory motion is a
critical factor in determining our state of health - when these rhythms are expressed
in fullness and balance, health and well-being naturally follow. |
Inertial Patterning
During the course of our lives
our bodies become patterned, shaped and conditioned
according to how we¹re able to deal with any
stresses or traumas. If stresses or traumas are
overwhelming, they become locked in the body as
sites of inertia - until such a time as we are
able to access resources that allow them to be
processed and released. These sites of inertia
effect the natural rhythmical movements of the
Breath of Life and so hinder the ability of our
essential blueprint for health to manifest at a
cellular level.
Common causes of inertia are physical injuries, emotional and psychological stresses,
birth trauma and toxicity. Due to an accumulation of these stresses, tissues
can become imprinted with the memory of unresolved experiences and so act like
video tape which may keep replaying whenever stimulated. |
A Gentle Facilitation
The emphasis in Biodynamic
Craniosacral Therapy is to help resolve the trapped
forces that underlie and govern patterns of disease
and fragmentation in both body and mind. This involves
the practitioner "listening through the hands" to
the body's subtle rhythms and any patterns of inertia
or congestion. Through the development of subtle
palpatory skills the practitioner can read the
story of the body, identify places where issues
are held and then follow the natural priorities
for healing as directed by the patient¹s own
physiology.
The intention of treatment is to facilitate the expression of the Breath of Life
and so enhance the body's own self-healing and self-regulating capabilities.
This is done in a non-invasive way as the practitioner subtly and gently encourages
the conditions that allow for the reemergence of primary respiratory motion.
Furthermore, the practitioner's deep and clear quality of presence can become
a reflective mirror for the patient and an invaluable cue for their potential
for change. |
A Holistic Approach
| Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
takes a whole-person approach to healing and the
inter-connections of mind, body and spirit are
deeply acknowledged. It is an effective form of
treatment for a wide range of illnesses helping
to create the optimal conditions for health, encouraging
vitality and facilitating a sense of well-being.
It is suitable for people of all ages including
babies, children and the elderly, and can be effective
in acute or chronic cases. |
Who can benefit from CST?
| Everyone can benefit, though
with some, the improvement may be more dramatic
than with others. Because CST builds health in
the brain and nervous system, it is excellent for
prevention of chronic conditions, including the
problems of aging, stiffness, dryness, memory loss,
inflammation, immune imbalances. It is actually
difficult to imagine a condition that would not
be improved by a biodynamic CST session. CST also
addresses injuries, even ones that occurred long
ago and that we had no idea were still affecting
us. Birth trauma commonly affects one throughout
life unless addressed, for example. And how many
of us have not had a head or tailbone injury from
sports, falls, violence, or auto accidents? Even
minor surgeries, including dental work, can create
strains and anesthesia residues that are wonderfully
treatable through CST. Orthodontic braces may inhibit
the cranial bone motions. If we felt upset when
something overwhelming was happening, the emotion
may lock in the strain, making the injury more
difficult to heal. The beauty of the biodynamic
approach is that it strengthens our whole system
and creates a safe environment, so that the body
can show these unresolved issues, and the CST practitioner
can facilitate a resolution. Our inner Intelligence
is capable, when skillfully supported, of presenting
the strains one at a time, in priority order, in
a way that does not overwhelm the system but makes
it increasingly stronger. We do not need to remember
or relive our traumas in order to benefit from
their resolution. The therapy will surprise you
with benefits you hadn't known were possible, including
resolution of symptoms that you had no idea were
related to the cranial system or to each other.
You may feel lighter, with a sense of more spaciousness
within yourself. You may notice more ease in relationships
or ability to focus. After a period of adjustment,
in which you may feel a little spacey or experience
the shadows of a past symptom on its way out, you
may notice that you stand straighter or breathe
more easily and deeply, with less effort. Pains
may decrease, organs function better, and emotional
boundaries may be easier to maintain. Because each
person is unique, it is impossible for us to say
exactly what benefit you will feel, or how long
it will take you to feel it, but the above comments
are quite common. An example is Rollin Becker,
DO, spoke of a client who presented a specific
symptom but got up from the session with a great
urge to go home, clean the house and put things
in order; none of these impulses were on the original
agenda. On retrospect they did seem to relate to
the presenting condition. |
What kind of symptoms respond best to craniosacral therapy?
| Impingement of cranial nerves
or spinal nerves, left-right imbalances, head injuries,
confusion, feelings of compression or pressure,
anxiety, depression, circulatory disorders, organ
dysfunctions, learning difficulties, neuro-endocrine
problems, TMJ and dental problems, and trauma of
all kinds — birth, falls, accidents and other
injuries, physical, sexual or emotional abuse,
PTSD, loss/grief, surgery, anesthesia — all
are good indicators that a visit to your craniosacral
therapist will be helpful. Craniosacral therapy
is also excellent as a preventive therapy because
it can facilitate the resolution of imbalances
or areas of stillness within a patient/client's
system that s/he may not be consciously aware of. |
How many sessions will I need?
This depends partly on what
your goals are, what symptoms you suffer from,
and how easily your system responds to treatment.
As a general rule, three to ten sessions will make
a significant impact on most people's health, and
in some cases only one session can make a dramatic
difference. Others receive regular treatment for
longer periods of time, followed by an occasional
tune-up to maintain health. Hands-on evaluation
by an experienced practitioner may give you a more
precise answer to this question.
*This Information
courtesy of the Crainiosacral Therapy Association
of North America.* |
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