Craniosacral Therapy / Craniosacral Osteopathy
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is an important part of the osteopathic medicine. "Cranio" means skull and "sacral" refers to the sacrum, our sitting bone. It is by definition a system of gentle touch designed to enhance the functioning of the membranes, tissues, fluids, and bones surrounding or associated with the brain and spinal cord. It follows the same basic principles as osteopathy and also makes the patient as a whole the center of attention.
- The body functions as a unit.
All systems of the body work together and are interrelated. If one system or a part of the body is compromised, the whole body is not able to live in its healthiest potential. - The structure of the body governs the body’s function.
The body will not function optimally if a structure is compromised. Mechanical problems often follow physiological changes that have affected different tissues. - The flow of the fluids in the body must be maintained and preserved.
If an artery or vein is restricted, the tissue will not function to its full capacity. - The body has the inherent ability to heal itself.
An Osteopathic Manual Practitioner works to find the restriction, free it up with the help of the body, and allow the body to live to its full potential/optimal health.
The American Osteopath William G. Sutherland discovered in the 1920s that the liquor which protects, nourishes and embeds our brain and central nervous system has a rhythmic and fluctuating motion. The free motion of this liquor is important for our health and is only guaranteed when the meninges, the 22 bones of the skull and the sacrum move without restrictions. Birth traumas and traumatic experiences later in life, as well as accidents, stress or general tension can restrict the free flow of the cerebrospinal liquor, which over time can cause serious health issues. A precise knowledge of human anatomy is important in order to be able to find the parts of the body which are restricted and inhibit the free flow of the cerebrospinal fluid.
"If you understand the mechanism, the treatment is simple."
