Craniosacral Therapy (CST)

Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle treatment where light touch is used to help improve movement within the cranio-sacral system. The name is taken from the bones that make up this system – the cranium (the skull and face) and the sacrum (the bone at the lower end of the spinal column). This system has an affect on many body functions, and treatment on it can stimulate the body’s own ability to heal itself.

Treatment can benefit a wide range of conditions, such as chronic pain, postural compensation following sports injury, migraines and headache, jaw pain, neuralgia and low energy. People report a number of benefits from the treatment. As well as improvement in the symptoms you came to see the physiotherapist about, people feel an increase in relaxation and general well being, improvement in sleep quality and a reduction in stress.

Treatment usually takes place with you lying on your back, fully clothed and lasts 30-60 minutes.

Birth can create compression and rotational forces  on the unborn skull and pelvis in order to propel the child through the birth canal. These forces can become imprinted within the newborns body and certain rotational or compression forces can lead to an asymmetrical skull (plagiocephaly) and neck tightness (torticollis).

 

The effects of physical forces on the system can manifest as conditions such as colic, reflux, and digestive problems – a crying, agitated and restless baby. A newborn may have problems feeding or may have difficulty sleeping.

What can I expect in a Session?

 Treatment can be a very deeply relaxing experience and clients often feel grounded and well balanced after their session.
In the first session a full case history will be taken. Treatment will be performed with the client lying down and fully clothed. Treatment is usually very peaceful and it is encouraged that clients close their eyes and relax as much as they can during treatment. Sensations felt during treatment will be of the clinician’s hands; a very light contact. Other sensations felt during treatment may include, warmth, tingling, pulsations, heaviness or lightness and a sense of deep relaxation.
Clients usually feel very grounded and relaxed after treatment and the majority report they sleep very deeply the evening of their treatment.
Each session is 60 minutes and appointments are normally recommended every 1 to 3 weeks to allow the body to process and integrate the changes that occur between treatments.

Some conditions that people have received Cranio Sacral Therapy to help with include:

Allergies; Arthritis; Asthma; Anxiety; Back pain; Balance difficulties; Birth Trauma; Torticollis; Plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome); Colic and reflux; Depression; Digestive problems; Dyslexia; Frozen shoulder; Fibromyalgia; Sinusitis; Hormonal imbalances; Immune system disorders; Insomnia; Lethargy; Menstrual pain and PMS; Migraine/Headaches; Chronic Fatigue syndrome; Problems during and after pregnancy; Repetitive Strain Injury; Stress related illnesses; Tinnitus and middle ear problems (i.e balance); Temporal Mandibular Joint (jaw) disorders; Dental pain; Mothers and Babies.

Plagiocephaly Clinic

The Plagiocephaly Clinic is run by Catherine, a Physiotherapist and Cranio Sacral Therapist who has undergone extensive training in the prevention and orthotic treatment of Plagiocephaly in the US.

This clinic runs once a week and appointments are an hour. During this time Catherine will take a history, assess your childs head and neck and take measurements to determine severity of Plagiocephaly.

Preventative measures may be recommended such as repositioning,  tummy time and Cranio Sacral Therapy etc or orthotic treatment (helmet therapy) may be recommended depending on head shape severity and the age of the child.

 For more information on this clinic and LOCband treatment please see www.aheadforhealth.co.uk