What is Cranio-Sacral therapy and from where does it originate?

Cranio-Sacral therapy derives from osteopathy. Osteopaths are doctors who as a part of their education are taught a soft form for manipulation of the organs and bones. This manipulation is carried out as a treatment of bones and muscles with the use of hands in different positions.

Cranio-Sacral therapy is developed by an American doctor, William Sutherland, in the beginning of this century. In time these techniques were practised less and less as they simply were too time-consuming for the doctors of our time. Fortunately the techniques now seem to gain ground again.

Cranio-Sacral therapy is a treatment of the Cranio-Sacral system which consists of the bones in the cranium, face, spine and os sacrum. Furthermore, the membranes, which keep the brain in place according to the bones of the cranium, are treated along with the fluid which circulates around the brain and spinal marrow.

Cranio-Sacral therapy improves the function of the entire Cranio-Sacral system and nervous system. This happens because the stresses in the joints between the bones are loosened during the treatment and also the membranes in the cranium get relaxed. Together this leads to an improvement of the circulation of the brain fluid and blood.

What happens during a treatment?

The duration of a treatment varies from 30-60 minutes depending on your need. Typically, you will be lying on your back or stomach on the couch. You can keep on your clothes. The therapist will with gentle pressure (about 5 gram ) treat different places on your head, neck and back. During the treatment you will experience a profound feeling of relaxation which will resemble a meditative state.