Download Craniosacral Therapy - Milestone Centers, Inc.

Craniosacral Therapy
January 2017 , ½ Hour
Background
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounds, protects, and nourishes the brain and spinal cord. Modern medicine is still
in its infancy with regard to fully understanding how this amazing system works. Usually when we think of
health problems of the central nervous system and how to treat them, images come to mind of drugs and
surgery. Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a relatively new approach to treating the central nervous system
(CNS). Rather than seeking to alter the chemistry or structure of the CNS, it helps to restore its supporting
structures to their ideal functional state, thus giving the body a chance to “re-set” itself.
History
Cranio (skull) sacral (sacrum) Therapy is a non-invasive osteopathic method of gently manipulating the bones
and connective tissues of the skull, spine and sacrum in order to relieve stress and tension and restore the
pulsating rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid to its natural state. Another 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. The idea is that the human body is inherently geared toward self-healing, and
that a properly functioning nervous system facilitates the process.
Craniosacral therapy has its origins in Osteopathic medicine. Andrew Taylor Still was a physician during the
Civil War Era. Three of his children died of spinal meningitis and Dr. Taylor felt that conventional methods of
treatment were often ineffective and sometimes harmful. He believed that the musculoskeletal system was
crucial to wellness and that misalignments of the spinal bones created blockages to healing. Releasing these
blockages, he felt, improved the efficiency of nerve signals, improved the flow of blood and lymph, and allowed
the body to restore itself. Dr. Still eventually founded the American College of Osteopathy.
William Sutherland was a graduate of the school in 1900. At the time, physicians were taught that the bones of
the skull are fused and do not move. Sutherland questioned this when he saw that where the cranial bones
came together they were beveled “like the gills of a fish, to allow for respiration.” He did some experiments and
found that not only did the cranial bones move, but so did the sacrum. Sutherland had success treating
patients by gently adjusting these bones, and his work was published throughout the osteopathic world.
John Upledger, D.O. (1932-2012) carried Sutherland’s work even further and more or less was the man who
“discovered” Craniosacral Therapy. He happened to be assisting a spinal surgery when the surgeon asked him
to hold the patient’s spinal cord still with two sets of forceps. To everyone’s amazement, the spinal cord kept
moving on its own in a rhythmic fashion. This made Upledger curious, and he learned that the cranial bones,
brain, spinal cord, dural membranes and cerebrospinal fluid comprise a sophisticated hydraulic system which
can have a significant impact on health and illness. He developed ways to assess and treat this system to
bring about beneficial changes to his patients. Upledger also began teaching others how to treat this intricate
system, and he is largely responsible for the many seminars (and practitioners) available in Craniosacral
Therapy today.
Since 1969, Milestone Centers, Inc. has provided programs and services to people with developmental and behavioral health challenges.
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HCQU Northwest
Physiology
The brain and spinal cord are protected by the axial skeleton, consisting of the cranium (skull), the vertebrae
of the spine, the sacrum, and the coccyx. Deep to the bones there are three membranes, called meninges,
which serve to further protect the central nervous system (meningitis refers to an inflammation or infection of
one or more of these membranes or layers). Continually circulating around the brain and spinal cord is
cerebral spinal fluid, which bathes and cushions the central nervous system. The brain and spinal cord do not
directly touch the bones, but rather “float” in a sea of cerebrospinal fluid. They are extremely sensitive to
changes in this fluid. Ask anyone who has had a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap (in which the doctor removes
some of the CSF with a large needle), and he or she will most likely tell you about a nasty headache following
the procedure.
Craniosacral Treatment
During a session of Craniosacral Therapy, the patient lies on a table while the
therapist gently manipulates the bones of the skull and/or face with his or her
hands. In some cases the therapist may place hands on the sacrum. There is
no thrusting or forceful adjustment. The touch is very soft and the pressure is
light, about the weight of a nickel. As the hands contact the patient, the
therapist can sense the rhythm of the CSF and release restrictions that may
be interfering with its normal flow. The process can take several minutes.
The patient will often feel a deep sense of stillness and relaxation during the
session, and sometimes for a while afterward.
Indications
CST has been known to have positive results with regard to many different physical and mental problems. It
can reduce the severity and/or frequency of chronic neck and back pain, temporomandibular joint pain,
migraine headaches, autism, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dementia,
chronic fatigue, stress, emotional problems, fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress, colic, motor coordination
problems, and immune disorders. Not much information is available with regard to CST and seizures,
although there have been claims that it has been helpful. More research needs to be done.
Contraindications
Even though there is no evidence that it has ever directly harmed anyone, there are certain conditions in
which CST is contraindicated due to potential risks. These include recent head injuries, blood clotting disorders, brain aneurysms, intracranial hemorrhage, and increased intracranial pressure (including hydrocephalus). Treatment may also amplify the effects of anticonvulsant, psychiatric, or diabetic medications. Also,
children under the age of 2 should not be treated because their bones have not fully developed yet. As with
any new therapy that has not been approved by the FDA and whose potential risks are not yet totally understood, anyone who is considering Craniosacral Therapy should always consult his physician first.
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HCQU Northwest
Results
CST is a relatively new (and, admittedly, an under-the-radar) modality, so there is not a lot of statistical information available to indicate its success rate or failure rate with regard to certain specific conditions. There are,
however, reports from patients and their families. And the reports are promising. For example:
I am SO happy to be able to share my success story with you. I was taking antidepressants (Paxil, Zoloft
and Welbutrin, not all at once obviously!) for a couple of years for what was called "situational depression." I hated every moment of it and I didn't get any real, consistent relief for my depression. I never knew
what kind of day I was going to have depression-wise. But I continually felt that I wasn't "clinically" depressed--that there must be something else to it. While doing research about depression on the net, which
led me to one of Dr. Weil's message boards, I read something about CranioSacral Therapy (CST). I was
desperate to find an alternative to anti-depressants because of all of the side effects that I experienced-memory problems, nonexistent libido, flat lined emotional state, etc.--so I looked into CST. The message
on the message board specifically stated that if one had had an accident of some sort that may have
compressed the spine from, say, a blow to the sacrum, or may have hit the back of the head or forehead
that this could cause an interruption in the flow of vital fluids throughout the spinal column and that
circulates around the brain. This circulation carries serotonin and other vital compounds to your brain. I
had had an accident rollerblading and I fell and landed directly on my tailbone about 2 years prior to
reading that message.
After the accident it felt as if I was sitting on a grapefruit for about a month, then it suddenly was better.
Some time later I began feeling depressed. I found a CST therapist through The Upledger Institute... and
saw her for 5 sessions. I no longer have to take ANY antidepressants and have not had to do so for over
a year! I cannot tell you how happy I am to not have to take any more meds or wonder what kind of day I
was going to have the first thing when I awoke each morning. I would love to tell everyone about my
experience! ...
Thank you so much for your work and your techniques. I hope you can feel even a smidge of how grateful
and happy I am that you have given me back my life.
Yours truly,
Susan Demander
From http://www.upledger.com/therapies/testimonials.php
I came to cranio-sacral therapy with Deepak to correct a dance-based pelvic misalignment that I had
carried for about 5 years. I soon realised that cranio-sacral therapy works at the deepest level of being
where one's soul meets the body. After each of my 10 sessions I felt I was being helped through a complete deconstruction and reconstruction of not just my body but also my life. (I 'happened' to be also going
through a major life transition and I felt deeply supported by this therapy and by my body to transition with
much ease and grace). My pelvic realignment happened almost as a happy side-effect. I feel 95% improvement at the end of 10 sessions and I hope a few more will bring 100% alignment.
Nilima Bhat
From http://www.biodynamic-craniosacral.com/testimonials.html
References:
http://iacst.ie/history-craniosacral-therapy?pmsession=9b72664645dd90ce53f36df92d586842
http://www.upledger.com/therapies/index.php
http://www.neurologycare.net/craniosacral-therapy.htmlhttp://www.iahe.com/images/pdf/
Seizure_Disorder_and_CranioSacral_Therapy.pdf
MilestonePA.org
HCQU Northwest
Craniosacral Therapy Test
Name: ___________________________
Job Title: _________________________
Agency: __________________________
Date: ______________________
Please provide contact information (email address, fax number, or mailing address) where you would like your
certificate to be sent:
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
You must submit your completed test, with at least a score of 80%, and evaluation to receive ½ hour of training
credit for this course.

To submit via fax, please fax the test and evaluation to 814-728-8887.

To submit via email, please send an email to [email protected]. Please put “Craniosacral Test” in
the subject line. In the body, please put your agency and your job title/role, followed by the numbers 1 - 5
along with your answers to the test and evaluation questions, i

To submit via mail, send the test and evaluation pages to Milestone HCQU NW, 247 Hospital Drive, Warren
PA 16365.
Knowledge Assessment:
1. Craniosacral Therapy (CST) was developed by a(n)
a. Chiropractor
b. Scientist
c. Osteopathic Physician
d. M.D.
2. CST has been used to treat all of the following except
a. Pneumonia
b. Chronic Pain
c. ADHD
d. Immune Disorders
3. Which of the following persons should not be treated with CST?
a. People with arthritis
b. People with recent head injuries
c. Criminals
d. People with food allergies
4. Why should a person consult with his physician before receiving CST?
a. More clinical studies need to be done to establish its safety
b. It is expensive
c. You need a doctor’s referral
d. It is highly addictive
5. True or False: The brain and spinal cord are extremely sensitive to changes in the cerebrospinal fluid
True False
TJ
MilestonePA.org
HCQU Northwest
Craniosacral Therapy
Home Study Evaluation
Please circle your PRIMARY reason for completing this home-study training:
 It’s mandatory
 interested in subject matter
 need training hours
 convenience
Please circle the best response to each question.
SA = Strongly Agree
A = Agree
U = Undecided
D = Disagree
SD = Strongly Disagree
1.
As a result of this training, I have increased my knowledge.
SA
A
U
D
SD
2.
I learned something I can use in my own situation.
SA
A
U
D
SD
3.
This training provided needed information.
SA
A
U
D
SD
4.
The training material was helpful and effective.
SA
A
U
D
SD
5.
Overall, I am satisfied with this training.
SA
A
U
D
SD
How can we make this training better?
How do you think this training will help you in your job?
Would you recommend this course to others?
Yes
No
What is your age? (For demographic purposes only)
18 – 24 years
25 – 34 years
35 – 50 years
50 – 64 years
65 years or older