Is Your CranioSacral Massage Therapist Rubbing You the Right Way?

 

CranioSacral massage is a technique used to assess and improve the craniosacral system, which offers the physical conditions and setting in which the brain and spinal cord grow and function. This type of massage includes the bones of the head, the spinal column, the sacrum and the underlying structures. You won’t know what is healing until you do CranioSacral massage.

 

Before Submitting to CranioSacral Massage

 

As with most massages (Swedish, reiki, sensual massage etc.), there are some conditions where CranioSacral massage is not recommended. These include acute aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage or other pre-existing severe bleeding disorders, which can be affected by small changes in the intra-cranial pressure. You should consult your doctor before signing up for this type of massage therapy.

 

How CranioSacral Massage should be done

 

In order to “tune in to the craniosacral rhythm,” during a massage session the therapist will place his hands on you. He will gently work the spine and the skull and its sutures, diaphragms and fascia. The restrictions of nerve passages are alleviated, the progress of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord is optimized, and skewed bones are returned to the correct position in this way.

 

This is a therapeutic modality that grew out of osteopathy, the ancient art of bone setting. Your session should take place in a room devoid of distractions. The practitioner will ask questions in order to understand what health concerns you have. The massage is usually done with the client fully clothed (except for shoes) on a traditional massage bed.

 

A study published in the 2007 issue of The International Journal of Healing and Caring said that CranioSacral massage shows promise for older adults in reducing pain and allowing them to partake more fully in rehabilitation therapy. This type of massage is also said to improve central nervous system function and lessen the harmful effects of anxiety and trauma.