Hi all, I am trained in CranioSacral therapy and have had profound changes from it. Just thought I'd add some of my experience and understanding here. My first experience was after a car accident in 1990 before I was a bodyworker myself. It helped my whiplash tremendously.


I know the scientific community is probably having a hard time measuring it within what they currently understand, but don't let that discourage you from finding a SKILLED practitioner. It can HELP TONS with the right practitioner.


It is much more than moving the platelets of your head and that would only happen if you need it (which most of us probably do-esp the head injured). The understanding is that the bones of the head are not 100% fused (but appear that way, I've seen and felt skulls. Look at the way it is "fused" and you can see how it still allows for SLIGHT movement)


The reason is that the skull must allow for VERY SLIGHT (read almost imperceptable) expansion and contraction to accomodate the cerbreal spinal fluid pumping action that occurs in the head and washes down the spine. Sort of like the way buildings or large bridges are made to sway or bend to avoid collapse during an earthquake. They look sturdy, but have some give to them.


The therapy is so subtle and doesn't move any bones like a chiropractor does. It is more like realigning the structures to that natural pumping rhythm. That rhythm is found through out the body, but mostly detectable from the cranium thru the spine to the sacrum (thus CranioSacral therapy).


I can tell what my practioner is working on and she also will describe what I am feeling shortly after I feel it myself. I've had lots of bodywork (as well as given 12+ years of it) and have a heightened sense of awareness of my body because of it.


When I was taking the 2nd level training and we worked on the bones of the face, there was a noticable difference in my facial structure. People came up to me and said something was different and when I looked in the mirror, I could see something had shifted, but couldn't say specifically what...this was not something I was hoping for or even thinking about either. Anecdotal I know, they are continuing to research this alternative method and perhaps someday will catch up.


The therapy when having it done, mostly feels great and deeply relaxing, but because a subtle change does occur, you can experience headaches and fatigue afterward...just as you would feel soreness after a deep tissue massage or a strong workout at the gym: when things have time to integrate, you feel better than if you had not had the treatment. In my case, worlds better! I sleep better the night of a treatment session.


Generally, people feel deeply relaxed and need to rest afterward though. This has been the most helpful for me along with the upper cervical chiro. It makes sense because it is helping relieve the pressure of misalignment of not only perhaps bones, but really more of the fascia and soft tissues in the skull...the very place where some our suffering comes from.


It cannot cure nerve damage, cell loss, etc. It restores what balance it can, to allow your body to function more optimally (whatever that is for you at this time) I hope more studies are done because I think it is something if done correctly, can be a huge help to us with PCS.


For more detailed information, here are some links to three craniosacral sites, all have "find a therapist tools", look for someone with lots of schooling if possible:

http://www.upledger.com/content.asp?id=61

http://www.craniosacraltherapy.org/Whatis.htm

http://www.milneinstitute.com/origins.html

Edited to add that I over did it writing all that and will go rest now. Looking forward to my CS appt on Thurs!!