Craniosacral Therapy - Rhythms of Life Part 1
Craniosacral Therapy has been described as magic, and certainly its healing power can be profound.

In this gentle light touch therapy, the Rhythms of Life and healing responses are witnessed by the Craniosacral Therapist. 

 

The term ‘Craniosacral Therapy’ was coined by Dr. William Garner Sutherland (1873-1954), a pioneering osteopathic physician. Dr. Sutherland proposed that the subtle movement of skull bones was crucial for health and influenced the motion of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This concept has emerged into a broader practice focusing on the body’s inherent rhythms and healing, which is referred to now as Rhythms of Life. 

 

There is a mysterious intelligence and wisdom in the body that carries the inherent blueprint of health. These inherent, vital, rhythmic life force potencies carry a basic intelligence, and intrinsic force, which are effectively employed by the Craniosacral Therapist (CT) for supporting health. The aims of Craniosacral Therapy are to support health at the foundation of our being, as essential forces of health are never actually lost.

 
Health then needs to be re-organized and balanced to create wholeness in life, the CT relies on the client's force of health to create the change, and is merely a facilitator witnessing the client’s healing process.
 
Nevertheless the skill level of CT in treatment is important in this support of the healing resources of the client, and is tailored to individual needs. Although treatment and techniques are broad, ultimately it is the priorities of the client’s life force itself in-which dis-harmonious energy patterns can be unlocked to match the condition, and needs, of the client at that time.
 
Working with birth trauma, or going back to conception, and information of embryology, where the beginning of our lives start, continuing throughout our lifespan, offer a great source of health restoration and healing.

The body is in a constant state of creation, maintenance, and repair, and the highly organized forces that created us during the embryological development continue to maintain and heal us throughout our lives. Consequently, even so-called incurable diseases can sometimes be healed, if the conditions that allow this can be established.
 
From the moment of conception and primary design, creating an original matrix, the ordering and organization of our early formation is not primarily the result of genetics operating through our DNA, but occurs through forces expressed within the fluids and developing Rhythms of Life of the embryo. Apparently genetic influences do not fully operate until six weeks after conception, and even then are considered to modify the process of cellular development.
 
About Craniosacral Rhythms of Life

Life is motion, and it is expressed in the three Rhythm of Life expressions through all these phases of inhalation and exhalation.
 
Like the rhythms of the heart and the breath, there are rhythms or tides of the craniosacral system (CSS) and whole person. The CSS is comprised of the dural membrane cerebral containing the cerebral spinal fluid, the brain spinal cord, and nerves exiting to the whole body.

The Primary Rhythm of Life is the Craniosacral Rhythm (CSR), which is 6 to 12 cycles per minute. CSR is primarily an expression of how individual parts of the body suddenly move in relationship to each other. In a bio-mechanical style of assessment, CSR can reveal disharmonic energy patterns in this cycle there is a cycle of flexion/external rotation and extension/internal rotation.

 

The Central Rhythm of Life, Sea or (C-Tide) is a slower rhythm that also expresses fluid rhythmic motion, and sometimes considered to carry the driving power underlying the CSR. The cycle is expressed mid-line at an average of approximately 2 1/2 cycles per minute. As a field phenomenon, C-tide, the bio energy, or Rhythm of Life potency vitalizes the body, enhancing the fundamental expression of our health. A sense of unity and well-being permeating the body bring a feeling of wholeness, often this is alternated with stillness, or still point.

 
The third Rhythm of Life emerges from the ground of our being with very deep and slow rhythmic impulse. The subtle radiance of this essential Omnipresent (OM) Rhythm of Life is a wider field phenomenon that may be perceived within, as well as around the body. A transpersonal force, yet individualized often perceived as rhythmic spinal motions within a huge field of action, that extends to the way to the horizons, and then orients around the midline of the body at a fundamental level.
 
There is also the Stillness when the rhythms come to a stop, so the cranial therapy rhythms are much different, than the heart and the breathing rhythms. During the still point, the body intelligence is re-organizing and gathering life force potency to take healing to the next level. 
 
There is also healing in stillness, when the CSS comes to a still point. This state of settling and stillness principle provide essential healing where the Rhythms of Life and potency can be liberated, and moving freely re-organizes the tissues and fluids.
 
A holistic shift occurs in the clients physiology, as essentially a state of letting go that signifies a re-orientation from a condition pattern of motion to a connection with the inherent health. This may be considered that the will of the client is surrendering to the essential blueprint of healing and optimum health. The presence of full and balanced Rhythms of Life signify a healthy system.

Our health is determined by the ability of the life force potency to play freely throughout the body – and understanding that has a direct connection to the pioneering insights of Dr. Sutherland.
 

PART 2

WHAT IS CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY (CST)?

‘Craniosacral Therapy’ coined by Dr. William Garner Sutherland is a light touch approach that creates dynamic improvement in your life. Focusing on the body’s inherent rhythms and healing, tension deep in the body is released, relieving pain and disfunction, restoring whole body health and performance. 

 

There is a mysterious intelligence and wisdom in the body that carries the inherent blueprint of health. These inherent, vital, rhythmic life force potencies carry a basic intelligence, and intrinsic force, which are effectively employed by the Craniosacral Therapist (CT) for supporting health. There is a movement towards integration and health as a natural tenancy, as an ever present and gentle force. 

 

“The seeking of health from within is a continuous time, tissue, and tidal effort from conception to the final moments of physiological life. Within every trauma and/or disease entity, there is an effort on the part of body, physiology to deliver health mechanisms through the local area of stress to full functioning health capacities” - Dr. Rollin Becker 

Health then needs to be re-organized and balanced to create wholeness in life, the CT relies on the client's force of health to create the change, and is merely a facilitator witnessing the client’s healing process.
 

HOW DOES CST WORK?

Life brings up whenever it has the opportunity; between the cracks of paving stones, in forest ravaged by fire or in broken bodies and troubled minds. Health is an irresistible force. There is never a time when our health-giving mechanisms are not working, for they are an intrinsic part of our lives. Even in more chronic or advanced cases of illness, our original intention of health is always present. By comparison, a log that has become jammed in a river may create turbulence in the water, but the river still flows. Likewise, the inherent health plan still provides the organizing blueprint in an ailing body. The seeking of health is innate intelligence and never ceases.

 

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN CST HELP WITH?

 

Craniosacral therapy improves your body‘s abilities to take better care of you. It has been shown to help a full spectrum of pain, illness, and dysfunction, including: 

·      migraines and headaches

·      chronic neck and back pain

·      stress and tension related disorders 

·      motor – coordination impairments, 

·      post – concussion symptoms 

·      chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia 

·      TMJ syndrome

·      Scoliosis/ spinal cord injuries 

·      central nervous system disorders

·      learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD 

·      and many other conditions

 

CST releases those tensions to allow the entire body to relax and self-correct. By freeing the central nervous system to perform at its best, CST, naturally eliminates, pain, and stress, strengthens your resistance to disease, and enhances your health and well-being. This gentle, nervous system–focused approach supports the body in releasing deep patterns of tension and stress. Clients often experience improved sleep, a profound sense of calm and balance. CST highlights the body’s innate ability to heal when given the space to shift out of stress. 

 

 

Advanced Cranioacral Therapy Therapeutic Process Technique is helpful and is a process to help release, trapped, emotional energy and facilitate the discharge of trauma and injury. The body frequently retains an emotional imprint of physical injury, especially of intense feelings. 

·      post-traumatic stress disorder

o   traumatic brain injury

o   concussions

o   combat

o   traumatic stress

o   panic attacks, 

o   insomnia

o   flashbacks

o   intrusive thoughts

o   hypervigilance 

o   depression/suicidal thoughts, 

o   guardedness

o   behavioral isolation

o   chronic anxiety

o   chronic pain

Craniosacral Therapy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder may be beneficial in treating physical and mental injuries from:

o   combat

o   natural disaster

o   sports 

o   family violence

o   acts of terrorism 

 

CST may be helpful in the aging process in many aspects including: 

o   increasing the volume of cerebral spinal fluid

o   enhancing immune and endocrine system functions 

o   assisting with neurological balance

o   all of above can:

o   increase fluid flow which will help relax connective tissue

o   positively influence vision and related structures

o   strengthen connective tissue, fluid flow and the character of the skin 

o   increase oxygen intake, therefore positively impact respiratory function and overall energy 

o   support increased muscle elasticity

 

CST can help a variety of conditions, inflammatory in nature, or help or reduce conditions such as: osteoporosis, cardiac symptoms, diabetes, headache/migraine, arthritis scoliosis, autoimmune disease, Alzheimer’s and dementia. CST has been proven to be very beneficial for senior clients in reducing their experience of pain in a gentle and comfortable manner.

 

CST strengthens the body’s ability to take better care of itself, helping to alleviate a range of illness, pain and dysfunction, including, but not limited to chronic neck, back and joint pain, headaches and migraines, morning, sickness, stress and tension – related problems, fatigue, emotional difficulties , challenges with conception, and many other conditions related to pregnancy and their effects on mother and child as pregnancy develops.

 

There is an innate ability of the human body to heal itself.

 

Janice Zubin, ND, RMT, CST-D brings 30+ years of experience in holistic health. She has taught Craniosacral Therapy full-time since presenting Align Alive Academy’s 2-day Craniosacral Therapy Therapeutic Process Techniques – Level 1 training at the Calgary NHPC Conference in 2023. 

Craniosacral Therapy Therapeutic Process Techniques – Level 2 is scheduled in 2026 in Montréal, Bridgewater, NS, Edmonton and Manitou Beach, SK.

Align Alive Academy training is approved for continuing education credits for RMTs, and MOTs in Alberta, Saskatchewan and AQTN in Québec, and self-submitting to other Canadian associations. Holistic practitioners with hands-on experience are welcome to register. For more information, see Align Alive Academy www.drzubin.com/classe TEXT 403-899-4308.