Cranial Sacral Massage

We saw a cranial sacral massage therapist trained by the Upledger Institute.  We had about 20 sessions at $60 a session. For us this was not an effective treatment method. My son did enjoy the massage it seemed, there were times he actually fell asleep so it seemed to have a soothing, calming effect on him, but the effects were never long term. He would be happy for a day or so then crash right back into what ever was going on at the time. I personally wouldn’t try this again for our son. Our therapist was lovely and worked hard with him though and we really enjoyed the visit. She was always sweet and gentle to him which put him at ease instantly. She would use her hands lightly on his head or his body, other times she would pick him up and move him around to make adjustments. My understanding is that the ultimate goal is to move energy through the body clearing energy or emotional blockages at they go. Other than his calmness that day we really saw no long term effects. I would love to hear from anyone who uses this modality and is finding benefits, I often wonder if we didn’t just pick the wrong therapist for us.

This is what the Upledger Institute promises from Cranial Sacral: “Discover CranioSacral Therapy

CST was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics.

CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system – comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.

By complementing the body’s natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including:

• Migraine Headaches
• Chronic Neck and Back Pain
• Motor-Coordination Impairments
• Colic
• Autism
• Central Nervous System Disorders
• Orthopedic Problems
• Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
• 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”