Cranial-Sacral Therapy
The Upledger Institute describes Cranial-Sacral therapy as
“. . . a gentle, hands-on technique to help detect and correct imbalances in the craniosacral system that may be the cause of sensory, motor or neurological dysfunction.
The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spiral cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth – which make up the cranium – down to the sacrum, or tail bone area.
Delicate manual therapy performed on the craniosacral system enhances the body’s natural healing processes and has been shown to be effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with neurological dysfunction. These conditions include headaches, neck and back pain, TMJ dysfunction, chronic fatigue, eye problems, motor-coordination difficulties, hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, central nervous system disorders and may others.”
John was certified in this therapy by the New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts in 2003, where he studied with Avi-Khadir Aberman. Aberman teaches from Hugh Milne’s text The Heart of Listening, which emphasizes passive touch. “Passive touch involves a gentle contact, and nothing else. It is . . . a nonjudgmental, non-doing, non-trying presence. . . . Hold open space, and consciousness comes out to play.”
The body-mind has its own natural intelligence that underwrites healing. Passive, gentle touching, in which the practitioner knows not to “do” anything, allows this natural intelligence to emerge to direct the body’s own healing in its own way. As Milne says, “The most powerful healing force is unconditional love . . ..”
When your computer begins to act up, sometimes it helps to reboot. Cranial-Sacral works in an analogous way, rebooting and resetting your own internal operating system. The result is almost always a deep state of relaxation. Many of John’s clients have reported they have never experienced the depth of relaxation that they felt during a session on his table.
At HeartWorks, we use this therapy in a variety of ways, both as a stand alone therapy and as support for other stress techniques described on this site.
For further information, contact John.