CranioSacral Therapy

CranioSacral Therapy

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the tissues that surround the central nervous system. This allows the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance with minimal force. It was pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger at Michigan State University. Upledger ascribed to the teachings of osteopath William Sutherland, who theorized that the bones in the cranium were able to move independently, and give rise to primary respiration.

Primary respiration is the term ascribed to the pumping motion of our cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) that occurs due to the movement of the cranial bones.

This pump allows CSF to circulate throughout our brain and spinal cord. The circulation of our CSF brings nutrients to our neural tissue as well as remove waste.

Upledger observed during a surgical procedure on the neck what he described as a slow pulsating movement within the spinal meninges. He attempted to hold the membrane still and found that he could not due to the strength of the action behind the movement. From this observation, he was inspired to research more deeply into the mechanism of primary respiration. From years of practice and observation Upledger discovered this flow could be encouraged by the gentle manipulation of bones, dura, muscle and fascia in the cranium.

Using a soft touch practitioners release restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the spinal cord and br

ain. CranioSacral Therapy is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and it’s effectiveness for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

Primary Respiration, the mechanism originally proposed by Sutherland, has been summarized in five ideas:

  1. Inherent motility of the central nervous system
  2. Fluctuation of the cerebrospinal fluid
  3. Mobility of the intracranial and intraspinal dural membranes
  4. Mobility of the cranial bones
  5. Involuntary motion of the sacrum between the ilia

By normalizing the environment around the brain and spinal cord and enhancing the body’s ability to self-correct, CranioSacral Therapy is able to alleviate a wide variety of dysfunctions, from chronic pain and sports injuries to stroke and neurological impairment.

Maladies that we treat with CranioSacral Therapy:

  • Migraine Headaches
  • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)
  • Chronic Neck and Back Pain
  • Motor-Coordination Impairments
  • Binocular Vision
  • Colic
  • Central Nervous System Disorders
  • Orthopedic Problems
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Scoliosis
  • Infantile Disorders
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Autism
  • Emotional Difficulties
  • Stress and Tension-Related Problems
  • Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders
  • Neurovascular or Immune Disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Post-Surgical Dysfunction

Dr. Grace has been receiving CranioSacral Therapy for over 20 years and has been studying this remarkable therapy for nearly as long. His passion for having maximum impact on patient’s outcome with the least force is exemplified with CranioSacral Therapy.

Worms will not eat living wood where the vital sap is flowing; rust will not hinder the opening of a gate when the hinges are used each day. 

Movement gives health and life. 

Stagnation brings disease and death.”

– proverb in traditional Chinese Medicine