Craniosacral therapy claims to free your body and mind of imbalances through the application of gentle pressure on your head, explains Anne Woodham

Craniosacral therapists use their hands to apply gentle touch and almost imperceptible pressure to your cranium (the part of the skull that holds the brain), the base of your spine (the sacrum) and occasionally to other soft tissues to encourage mind and body to rebalance and heal themselves.

Craniosacral therapy is derived from cranial osteopathy, which was developed in the 1930s by an American osteopath, Dr William Garner Sutherland. He claimed to have identified a rhythmic pulsation in the cerebrospinal fluid that nourishes and protects the membranes of the craniosacral system (the cranium, spinal cord and sacrum) and the connective tissue that surrounds the organs, nerves and blood vessels.

The breath of life
This 'cranial rhythmic impulse' (CRI) is said to pulse at the rate of about 6-15 times a minute and operates independently of blood pressure or breathing rates. Therapists refer to CRI as 'the breath of life' and compare it to the 'vital force' or chi of traditional Chinese medicine. Because it influences all the body systems, disruptions or imbalances in its ebb and flow are said to lead to health problems.

Dr Sutherland's approach was continued by another American osteopath, Dr John Upledger, in the 1970s. Although Upledger considered the CRI to be a simple biomechanical process rather than a 'vital force', he believed that past emotional and physical traumas left imprints on the connective tissue that could disrupt the cranial rhythmic impulse. Using delicate manipulation to restore the flow of the CRI could release memories of these traumas and free the way to complete healing of body and mind.

In the 1980s another American, Franklyn Sills, introduced ideas from polarity therapy, a treatment developed by osteopath and naturopath Dr Randolph Stone, who believed that well-being depended on the free flow of energy in the body. The combination of these approaches is the basis of craniosacral therapy.

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