About CranioSacral

The craniosacral system is a recently recognized functioning physiological system which comprises of the cranial bones (skull), vertebrae and sacrum, the meningeal membranes, the cerebrospinal fluid and the central and autonomic nervous systems (brain and spinal cord). The craniosacral system has a direct impact on the musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory and endocrine systems and therefore plays an integral role in the overall functioning and homeostasis of the body.

Sandra Smit interview about her craniosacral therapy and homeopathy on Expresso national tv, October 2012:

Craniosacral Therapy induces a deep state of relaxation through gentle manipulation of the craniosacral system.  As cerebrospinal fluid gets produced within the ventricles (cavities) of the brain, it circulates within the enclosed space between the brain and the meninges, down the spinal cord and then back again, to be reabsorbed into the venous system. This produces a subtle rhythmical motion (about 6-8 cycles per minute), which can be palpated on the cranium (head), as well as particularly on the bony articulations of the body.

The craniosacral therapist uses this rhythmical motion, produced by the cerebrospinal fluid, as a diagnostic tool to assess where there are restrictions, adhesions and blockages in the body.  These may be due to inflammation, lesions, scar tissue, surgery, strokes, the accumulation of toxic waste in tissues due to dietary errors, as well as physical or emotional trauma and stress. It has been found that the body is responsive to gentle manipulation and self-restoration while in a deep state of relaxation or under parasympathetic nervous system influence, whereas crude manipulation may bring about a bracing effect of the muscles and tissues, due to activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Craniosacral Therapy thus also works on calming the nervous system. As modern day living may be exceedingly stressful, the sympathetic nervous drive is overstimulated, which means our heart beat remains increased which leads to elevated blood pressure. We eat on the run, which means our digestive system suffers and peristalsis becomes reversed often spastic, hence irritable bowel syndrome. Our muscle tone increases and leads to muscular tension and pain etc. We struggle with the ability to relax properly and may suffer from insomnia.

The central nervous system governs brain activity e.g. reasoning, memory, conceptualization and planning. It has a sensory part whereby we perceive stimuli and a motor part whereby we react either voluntarily or involuntarily. The autonomic nervous system consists of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system and enables us to automatically react to dangerous situations with the necessary fright, fight or flight response. The sympathetic nervous system stimulates adrenalin which makes our heart beat faster, sending blood to our muscles so that we can jump to action, it makes our breathing faster increasing oxygen availability, our pupils enlarge in order to perceive better etc.

The parasympathetic nervous system governs relaxation activities such as digestion, peristalsis and sleep. Blood is directed to internal organs for proper functioning of digestion, metabolism and elimination. Also our ability to perform sexually depends largely on a healthy parasympathetic nervous system.

If our sympathetic nervous system is not adequately and regularly balanced by parasympathetic influence, we become at risk of strokes and heart attacks, stomach ulceration, a compromised immune system and emotionally suffer from anxiety. The loss of our autonomic adaptability leads to ineffective homeostasis in general.

The body’s chronic stress hormone is cortisol, which becomes excessively elevated when we experience chronic stress. Cortisol is an immune-suppressant as well as a mood depressor. The logic behind this is that one tends to withdraw from the stressful environment due to lack of motivation. Social withdrawal is also common and the depressed individual becomes increasingly introspective and questioning. Ideally at this stage, therapy and counseling is sought whereby the individual may bring about a change in circumstances or better management of stress.

Many people are tempted to self-medicate with alcohol and other substances in an attempt to alleviate either their anxiety or depression. If successful, even just temporarily, an emotional dependency is created along with the physical need for the drug which further compromises the individual’s ability to cope with stress.

Similarly the indiscriminate longterm use of psychiatric medication may well palliate but often at the cost of living passionately and creatively. It may also blind us to recognising opportunities and rob us of the motivation to bring about the the necessary changes in unhappy circumstances. Unfortunately medication does not make our issues go away, it merely postpones us facing up to them. Sooner or later we have to acquire the skills to deal with these challenges on our journey towards wholeness.

Craniosacral therapy has been proven successful in lowering abnormally high cortisol levels, reducing sympathetic tone and increasing parasympathetic nervous system balance. This improves our immunity and eases pain. The deep release of physical and emotional tension frees up energy which enables us to respond to life with more vitality. By letting go of mental processing during the treatment, the body is reminded of how to relax properly and access this state with more ease in future. By relinquishing mental activity during the treatment we connect deeply with our inner nature which allows us a healthier perspective on our individual challenges.