Craniosacral Therapy ~ Healing Muscle Pain in the Stillness

This past week I had the opportunity to participate in 2 workshops for enhancing Craniosacral Therapy outcomes for clients. While there was a lot of fascinating information shared one topic that stood out to me was the role of Craniosacral Therapy in gently releasing muscular restrictions in the body, versus Deep Tissue Massage where that release is forced, through pressure.

When I have been working with a client using Deep Tissue Massage and the muscles just will not let go, or will release but tighten back up again in a few days, I have often switched to Craniosacral Therapy for the area, and achieved the desired results. I've often wondered if I had used Craniosacral Techniques from the start would that client have experienced ease more quickly. What I discovered during this workshop is the answer is yes. 

Clients are generally sore after a Deep Tissue Massage due to the inflammation caused by a treatment that is focused on aggressively and forcefully breaking down tissue adhesions that are causing limited mobility or pain. It's kind of a "no pain, no gain situation". I do notice that Massage Therapy is moving away from this belief and I am embracing the understanding myself, that it is just as therapeutic and healing to use a lighter, more moderate pressure. (I know the diehard deep tissue fans may not agree...but I do encourage them to try it)

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In contrast, Craniosacral Therapy encourages the body into a state of deep relaxation and stillness. In that space the Parasympathetic Nervous System takes over to bring the body to rest, relax, repair and restore. In that space of quiet stillness the body has the opportunity to drop away from it's usual "busyness", settle into calm, and reorganize and heal itself.

The human body and mind are constantly in a state of awareness and response to keeping safe. The fight or flight response is natural and instinctual. At the same time it is exhausting and debilitating, and often causes tight and restricted muscles through the neck and shoulders. With Craniosacral Therapy it feels as though your body is being cradled, that the tension of gravity is removed in a way that feels safe and supportive. When the physical body is eased of tension the mind and spirit follow along and clients often notice an ease of stress, pulling them out of their anxious state, to one of calm.

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In calmness and relaxation a portal to healing is revealed. Tension slides away, blood pressure decreases, the fluid around the brain and spinal chord (which nourishes the nerves) flows unimpeded, muscles relax, fascia opens, anxiety slips away and mind, body and spirit have the opportunity to relax. In this mind/body state of peace is the opportunity to find a space of solution to problems causing anxiety, and ease of movement returning to impeded joints and muscles stressed from overuse and injury.

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The Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Reduction or elimination of

• Headaches
• Concussion Symptoms
• Pain
• Sinus Issues
• Muscle, Joint, Ligament and Tendon Tightness and Injury
• Vertigo and Balance Issues
• Nursing, Colic and Sleep Problems for Babies
• Fever
• High Blood Pressure
• Digestion & Elimination issues
• ​Scar Tissue and Adhesions

• Stress, Anxiety, PTSD Disorders
• ADHD, ADD & other Learning Difficulties
• Poor Immune System Function
• Low Energy
• ​Insomnia
• Neurological Conditions
• Mobility Issues
• Inflammation
• Whiplash
• Tinnitus
• TMJ problems

As a Holistic Health Practitioner since 1994, I long ago discovered that the more I learn the more there is to learn. I've practiced Craniosacral Therapy since 1996 and this recent workshop series has opened up a whole new perspective that my clients will begin to benefit from this week. Have you experienced Craniosacral Therapy?

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