The Healing Point - CranioSacral Therapy

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CranioSacral Therapy

CranioSacral Therapy is a very gentle osteopathic technique that releases restrictions of the central nervous system. These techniques have proven effective for a variety of disorders including headaches, TMJ dysfunction, neck and back pain, sinus and eye problems, insomnia and nervous system disorders. There is also benefit for more serious conditions including stroke, MS, autism, brain and spinal trauma.

CranioSacral Therapy (or CST for short) is based on myofascial release. The many layers of tissues in the body often become adhered to one another. These adhesions limit the independent motion of the various tissues which leads to pain, decreased circulation, and loss of function. CST helps restore the proper freedom of movement.

If you are interested in learning more about it please refer to the following list of definitions and important anatomical information to gain a deeper understanding of how this therapy works and how it may benefit you.

Craniosacral refers to the cranium (the head) and the sacrum (the base of the spine). The word "osteopathy" means "bone disorder" or "osseous pathology".

Myofascia: "Myo" means muscle and fascia is connective tissue. Connective tissues that you may be familiar with includes tendons, ligaments, and the skin. Other connective tissues include thin sheets of tissue that surround, protect and hold various organs. The maninges, the pleura (surrounding each lung), the peritoneum (enveloping the abdominal organs), the pericardium (around the heart), and the skin are examples of this type of sheet-like fascia.

Cranial bones: The head includes the cranial bones (skull bones), the meninges, the brain and spinal cord, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). The occiput is the back of the skull just above the neck. Two temporal bones form the lower sides of the skull with the ear roughly in the middle. Two parietal bones are above the temporals and these bones join along the top of the head forming the sagittal suture. The frontal bone is the forehead. There are several other bones that comprise the cranial vault including the sphenoid, ethmoid, and vomer. The maxilla a prominent facial bone that hold the upper 16 teeth. The lower 16 teeth and held by the mandible, or jaw.

Meninges: Three distinct connective tissue membranes called meninges (dura, arachnoid, and pia mater), enclose and protect the central nervous system.

The dura mater (literally translated as the tough mother) forms a tough and fibrous outer covering divided into two portions. The external layer of the dura mater, derived from the internal layer of cranial periosteum adheres to the inner surface of the skull. The internal layer is the true meningeal dura mater. It is called cranial dura mater and adheres in most places to the external layer. Separations of the two layers create the dural sinuses also called dural refections. The internal layer continues through the foramen magnum and encloses the spinal cord ending in the second segment of the sacrum. This segment is called the dural tube.

Dural Reflections of the Cranium: The internal layer forms the five dural reflections, namely, the falx cerebri, the falx cerebelli, the tentorium cerebelli, the diaphragma sellae and the tentorium bulbus olfactorium.
The tentorium cerebelli is situated between the cerebellum and the occipital and posterior portions of the temporal lobes of the cerebrum, dividing the cranial cavity into supratentorial and subtentorial compartments. This tissue directly relates to ear problems and many types of headaches.
The falx cerebri is a midline, sickle-shaped reflection and divides the brain into a right and left hemispheres. The venous drainage of the brain is largely dependant on the falx

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