The science of craniosacral therapy
A tiny, tiny taste. Let’s dive in.
The anatomy of the system itself includes the bones of the skull, the membrane system that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, and the sacrum. Most of us are familiar with the skull itself. The sacrum is the triangle shaped bone in between the hips at the base of the spine- the tip of which is your tailbone. The meninges themselves encase the entire brain, help separate the individual lobes and provide space for blood and fluid exchange, bring nutrients to the neural tissue and help take away toxins and debris to keep everything healthy. These membranes not only keep the brain healthy, they also extend through the base of the skull to surround the entire spinal cord and ultimately end with the spinal cord, becoming one with bone. When the craniosacral system is healthy, there is free circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to bathe the central nervous system and keep it healthy and functioning properly.
Dysfunction within this system can occur for many reasons, including blows to the body (especially the head or face), repetitive movement, physical compensation, emotional holding patterns, inflammation from illness or diet, surgical intervention, even the pressure and interventions from the birthing process. Most of us have been taught that the skull is completely immobile after our toddler years, but this is untrue. The sutures between the bones of the skull are joints that allow micromovements to occur, and these movements are what allows the tissue of nervous system some space during any inflammation processes as well as free circulation of CSF around it. This circulation has a quiet rhythm to it as the fluid pressure first increases, then decreases.
A therapist performing these techniques will spend time listening to the overall function of the system, and can free up restrictions within a suture- similar to why a chiropractor or physical therapist would adjust a stuck joint. After the suture itself has been mobilized, the therapist can use the bones as levers to manipulate and stretch the membranes themselves, directly affecting the nervous tissue. For someone who is experiencing symptoms from scar tissue from a concussion, or for someone who is having physical problems due to an overactive sympathetic response, working directly with these structures can yield profound results.
Craniosacral therapy provides one more avenue of healing, and carries almost zero risk. At the very best it can help solve chronic, debilitating problems, put us back in touch with our bodies and our most intimate selves… at the very least it can provide some well needed relaxation.
I’ve been very interested in concussion treatment since beginning my dive into craniosacral work, and something that keeps coming up when I research nervous system function are glial cells. I have been lucky enough to learn how to interface and work directly with the glial network in the body. These techniques have been the most profound when treating concussion and trauma- both physical and emotional.
Two types of cells make up the central nervous system, neurons and glia. Neurons form one way electrical circuits- sending, receiving, and processing information. Neurons have been traditionally thought of as what makes the brain. Glial cells do not send signals in the same electrical fashion that neurons do, but they communicate among themselves, with neurons and with the blood vessels of the brain. They are, essentially, the “other brain” which allows us to perform highly complex tasks quickly and gracefully.
Some of the things glia are responsible for include
providing the physical structure of the central nervous system during embryo development
myelinating neuron axons to help speed and timing of synaptic firing
providing immune response in the brain and spinal cord to protect and repair tissue
regulating neurotransmitters and electrolytes
participating in memory function
supplying neurons with energy
pruning synapses that are no longer used, enabling neuroplasticity
forming the blood brain barrier to filter out unwanted substances
The basis of neuropathology is glial pathology, which mean almost everything that goes wrong with the nervous system has something to do with this network. Treating it directly is essential for the healing process.
Needless to say, this is a rich topic and this is only an incredible brief overview. When it comes down to it, the primary reason I find craniosacral therapy to be so profound is that it allows our own bodies to do our healing work for us. These physical bodyhomes have an innate knowledge that is often suppressed and ignored, shamed and bullied. I, like doctor Upledger, believe that the key to healing lies within.
Despite all that science and medicine has discovered, the human form still retains some significant mystery, and one of the most amazing qualities it has is the tendency towards homeostasis- balance. Think of all we could accomplish if we could collaborate with a system that is exhausted, confused, or diseased and provide a helping hand, helping to regain, replenish, and restore.
Throughout our lives, stress, injury, and trauma often create confusing layers of compensation and holding patterns. These need to be addressed one at a time- from the outside, inward. The intent I hold with every session is to provide your body with what it needs for support in that very moment. In this way, working with ourselves instead of against, we heal.