CranioSacral Therapy & SER

I have a number of clients who struggle even saying, much less remembering the term “CranioSacral”.  One of them bypasses the pronunciation all together and requests a bodywork session for that “brain thingy” I do because, for her, this therapy gives her mind and body profound relaxation amidst dealing with Parkinsons Disease.

Cranio is related to the cranium, and Sacral is related to the sacrum bone at the base of the spine.  These terms combine into one word, CranioSacral, which refers to all the soft tissues, fluids and membranes that surround the central nervous system (or CNS). Many people suffer, sometimes for years, due to soft tissue restrictions caused by a traumatic birth, toxic accumulations (such as heavy metals), severe illness, or blow to the body, resulting in a multitude of painful symptoms which may include any of the following:

• Migraine Headaches

• Chronic Neck and Back Pain

• Motor-Coordination Impairments

• Colic

• Autism

• Central Nervous System Disorders

• Orthopedic Problems

• Scoliosis

• Infantile Disorders

• Learning Disabilities

• Chronic Fatigue

• Emotional Difficulties

• Stress and Tension-Related Problems

• Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders

• Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)

• Neurovascular or Immune Disorders

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Post-Surgical Dysfunction

Studies performed by Dr. John Upledger and bio-physicist Zvi Carni have shown that restrictions in connective tissues interferes with the smooth flow of biological life-force energy, the same energy that flows through the meridians used in acupuncture.

Using a gentle touch the therapist works from head to toe at different listening points along the client’s body, feeling for the rhythm of the CranioSacral pump.  This movement is the effect created by the ventricles in the left and right hemispheres of the brain pumping cerebrospinal fluid about 6 to 12 times a minute around the brain and down the spine.  If soft tissue restrictions exist this will be felt in the unrhythmic and uneven movement of the CranioSacral rhythm – a rhythm that is more subtle than the heartbeat or breathing. Following the body’s movements the therapist assists in unwinding these soft tissue restrictions which may result in the client temporarily experiencing mildly flinching muscles (or krias), increased Gi tract sounds, deep relaxation, waves of warmth, or sensations that go beyond words.  Many of my clients actually fall asleep during this type of bodywork!

SER, or  SomatoEmotional Release, may occur spontaneously with massage or a CST session. This is when the client feels inexplicable emotions gently arise as bodywork is performed, or the client may suddenly remember memories that were buried deep in the recesses of the mind, or in this case, deep in the tissues of the body.  Cellular memory is very real and scientifically proven to exist. It is the body’s way of storing memories of physical and/or emotional experiences that it could not adequately process at the time of the event.  Even though the cells of the body are replaced by new cells on a regular basis the old cells pass their memories on to the new ones, continuing the storage of energy depleting blockages in different locations of the body.  SER utilizes the assistance of the client’s “Inner Physician” to locate,  dialogue with, and release these “energy cysts”, as Dr. Upledger refers to them, which frees up the body to more fully heal and achieve optimal function.

CST and SER have shown to be effective in providing a number of health benefits including but not limited to:

•  Increased respiration

•  Lowered stress

•  Proper fluid exchange

•  Decreased pain and improved range of motion

•  Relief from symptoms of TMJ (temporal mandibular joint)

•  Relief from sinus congestion and headaches

•  Improved behavior in autistic children

•  Improved digestion

•  Improved learning

•  Increased energy

•  Deeper overall relaxation and sleep