Craniosacral Balancing Restoring the Natural Rhythm

Our Wondrous Body and the Craniosacral System

We live in a marvelous mechanism for expression-our body. Our every move depends on the health of our soft tissues&emdash;fascia, ligaments, tendons and especially our muscles. Movement is inherent in our wondrous body. When we breathe, our body responds in expanding and contracting cycles. Our blood and lymph rhythmically pumps and bathes all our tissue in lifegiving fluids. A less-emphasized system that is essential to our life is the craniosacral system. The craniosacral system consists of the brain, the spinal cord, the connective tissue sheath which surrounds them, the cerebrospinal fluid, the skull, and the spine. The cerebrospinal fluid bathes and cushions the spinal cord and brain from cranium (skull) to sacrum (base of the spine). The cerebrospinal fluid rhythmically circulates just as blood and lymph circulate throughout our body. Because of trauma such as birth and accidents, the cerebrospinal fluid does not flow in a smooth and rhythmical manner. Concurrent with this dysfunction, other body parts do not move in a symmetrical manner. These problems have a profound influence on our health.

Craniosacral Balancing

In the hands-on therapy field, massage and other techniques are used to enhance the circulation of blood and lymph. A relatively new technique, Craniosacral Balancing is performed to unblock any restrictions in the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Craniosacral Balancing also addresses other biomechanical imbalances related to the spine and extremities. This craniosacral technique restores the natural mobility of the tissues in their rhythm with cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and lymph.

The Balancing Touch

Craniosacral Balancing is a gentle, non-invasive yet powerful therapy. By lightly manipulating the skull bones at the sutures (joints), craniosacral therapists realign the bones so that they move in symmetry with one another, allowing the cerebrospinal fluid to circulate freely. This process releases soft tissue adhesions around the spine, which has far-reaching effects via the connective tissue throughout the body.

Craniosacral and Chronic Pain

The body adapts to trauma by compensating for its inability to function normally. The body goes on "red alert" with the glands and nervous system operating at full throttle. After the emergency, the nervous system and glands do not always shut down. This abnormality causes high blood pressure, contracted tight muscles, and general fatigue of the system resulting in pain.

Craniosacral Balancing has been effective in relieving headaches, neck pain, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), back pain, trigeminal neuralgia, facial pain, TMJ-D (jaw pain), meningeal inflammation, and migraines. This therapy has also been effective in treating strokes and brain and spinal cord injuries.

Craniosacral and Emotional Release

Emotions imprint holding patterns known as "body armor" in the fascia and musculature. The body literally becomes "knotted up." This physical element of emotional blockage has been treated effectively with Craniosacral Balancing. Anxiety, neuroses, depression, and the scars of sexual abuse have all been lessened or relieved.

Craniosacral and Kids

Craniosacral Balancing has a long history of special application with children and infants. A great deal of stress placed on the skull and spine of the baby during birth. Craniosacral Balancing holds a unique place among therapies in treating the trauma of birth. Techniques have been developed to treat hearing problems, ear infections, hyperactivity, bedwetting, attention deficit disorders, dyslexia, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, fever, and scoliosis.

The Craniosacral Therapist

Craniosacral Balancing is safe and has no side effects. The few contraindications include acute intracranial hemorrhage, intracranial aneurysm, recent skull fracture, herniation of the medulla oblongata and recent stroke. Craniosacral work is done on people who are fully clothed. Craniosacral Balancing has its origins in Cranial Osteopathy. Craniosacral Balancing is practiced by healthcare professionals who include osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists. An in-depth certification program incorporating concentrated study is required to attain the high level of competency needed to perform this therapy.

Craniosacral&emdash;An In-Depth Look

If you would like to know more about Craniosacral Balancing, read Craniosacral Therapy: Touchstone for Natural Health by John Upledger, D.O. To find out if Craniosacral Balancing is an appropriate therapy for you, call Laurence Layne, LMT, for consultation. Laurence is also available to lecture to your clinic or group.

Laurence Layne, LMT

Laurence is certified in numerous massage and bodywork techniques and is a Florida State licensed massage therapist, Lic. #MA0010746. He also has professional training as an herbalist. He began his study of natural healing in the late 1970s with yoga, vegetarianism, Reflexology and spirituality. He is a 1989 graduate from the Atlanta School of Massage, Atlanta, Georgia, where he received training in Sports Massage, Polarity, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Swedish Massage, Lymphatic Massage and Deep Tissue Therapy. He completed training and certification in Craniosacral Balancing with Phillip Aberman, RPP, LMT in 1993. Since then Laurence has been an avid practitioner of cranial therapy and has used it to help thousands of people with pain or functional problems.

Professional Notes: If you are a health professional and would like to learn more about Craniosacral Balancing, we can recommend a number of books:

An Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy: Anatomy, Function, and Treatment by Don Cohen and John E. Upledger An excellent introductory guide for therapists.

Craniosacral Therapy and the Energetic Body: An Overview of Craniosacral Biodynamics by Roger Gilchrest.

Craniosacral Therapy by John E. Upledger.

The Heart of Listening: A Visonary Approach to Craniosacral Work, Vol. 1 & 2, by Hugh Milne.

Craniosacral Biodynamics: The Breath of Life, Biodynamics, and Fundamental Skills, Vol. 1 & 2, by Franklyn Sills.

The above books and authors represent different philosophies and treatment methods. All Craniosacral Therapy originates with cranial osteopathy and the work of William Garner Sutherland, D.O. My own veiwpoint as a researcher and practitioner in the cranial field is that all of the teachers and books listed above have something to offer. They are all proponents of energetic and vitalistic hands-on healing.

If you are new to Craniosacral Therapy, you should probably read Craniosacral Therapy: Touchstone for Natural Health by John E. Upledger, An Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy by Don Cohen, and Craniosacral Therapy and the Energetic Body by Roger Gilchrest. This will familiarize you with the anatomy, phisiology, and treatment concepts that are basic to Craniosacral Therapy.

My own approach to Craniosacral Therapy is "biodynamic" in nature, because I was trained by a Polarity Therapy practitioner.The technique, and school of cranial work I use is called Craniosacral Balancing. Craniosacral Balancing integrates connective tissue unwinding, Polarity Therapy, vibrational healing, and sound therapy into an eclectic style of Craniosacral Therapy.

If you would like to refer a patient to our office, feel free to communicate your insights, diagnosis, or questions to us by phone or e-mail. Craniosacral Balancing is an integrated, wholistic approach that is a flexible and adaptable to the patient's needs.