CranioSacral Therapy (CST)
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, but not limited to:
- Migraine Headaches
- Chronic Neck and Back Pain
- Motor-Coordination Impairments
- Colic
- Infantile Disorders
- Difficulty with Breastfeeding
- Learning Disabilities
- Emotional Difficulties
- Stress and Tension-Related Problems
- Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Post-Surgical Dysfunction
CST was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger D.O. following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics. He relied on the findings of William Sutherland D.O. as he developed his approach.