Hands on heads

How does it work?
During the first visit, which can last up to 90 minutes, the therapist asks questions about your medical history, emotional health and lifestyle. Although treatment normally takes place while you lie fully clothed on a couch, you may be asked to sit or stand if tension needs to be released in certain areas.

The therapist's delicate pressure on your head, base of the spine or other parts of the body is so subtle that you may hardly notice it. The experience is usually relaxing but sometimes deep-seated emotions may be released by the so-called 'unwinding' of tension. Common health issues such as migraine, sinusitis and depression are said to date back to birth experiences. Afterwards people may report feelings of sadness, happiness, tiredness or physical aches and tenderness as the body undergoes a period of re-balancing that can last several days.

What is it good for?
Craniosacral therapy is so gentle that it can be used on babies and children for problems like colic, feeding difficulties, constant crying and behavioural difficulties that are attributed to compression in the birth canal during birth. The frail and elderly and those in pain can also be safely treated. Apart from enhancing the function of all body systems, the therapy is claimed to benefit a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, migraine, neck and back pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, autism, insomnia, PMS, menstrual pain, post-operative problems, digestive problems, sports injuries, tinnitus, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), sinusitis, depression and other stress-related illnesses.

What to watch out for
The cranial rhythmic impulse remains undetected by conventional measuring devices. Practitioners say it is too subtle to register on these and claim that training sensitises their hands and fingers to monitor its flow. The treatment is so gentle that in itself it is harmless, but always check any symptoms with a doctor, and don't accept a diagnosis of illness from any practitioner who is not medically qualified.

How much does it cost?
Subsequent treatments last about 40-60 minutes, and although problems may be resolved in a few sessions, some can take months. Therapists' fees vary according to location and length of treatment, but the average is about #40 for an hour.

How can I find it?
Practitioners may be trained in another therapy such as massage, but should have completed specific training in craniosacral therapy from a college accredited by the Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK.

For a list of practitioners, contact:
The Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK
Monomark House
27 Old Gloucester Street
London WC1N 3XX
Tel 07000 784 735
www.craniosacral.co.uk