Craniosacral Therapy (CST) has gained popularity since it was codified by Dr. John Upledger in the 1970’s. It has become a go-to as a complementary therapy, used to address a variety of physical and emotional issues. CST considers the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit and seeks to address all aspects of health. Craniosacral therapy focuses on the body’s ability to heal itself, emphasizing the importance of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) in health and wellness.
Brain health is crucial for overall health because it affects numerous bodily functions. It is the master organ that must be in good working order for other systems in the body to function properly and express health.
The brain is responsible for many things like retaining memories and learning new ideas, problem-solving and decision-making, mood regulation, physical health of the whole body by regulating bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and immune response. Our brain health influences how we perceive pain, our ability to form positive habits, social connections and relationships.
Craniosacral Therapy can positively influence the function of the brain by using light touch techniques to feel for restrictions, tension, or imbalances in the craniosacral system. A session may involve gentle stretching, holding, and mobilizing cranial bones, the sacrum, fascia, and soft tissues.
Therapists encourage clients to become more aware of their bodies and sensations. Eighty percent of bodily communication travels from body to brain, only twenty percent is from the brain to the body. An increased awareness of the body’s signals creates a stronger connection between brain and body, which deepens the healing process. When working at a deeper level, sometimes it is brought to light that physical tension can be linked to emotional trauma. CST can help release stored emotional tensions, reducing stress and anxiety, promoting sleep. All of which are very supportive for health of the brain.
By balancing the craniosacral system, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid to the brain and throughout the nervous system in enhanced. This brings more oxygen, nutrients to the delicate nerves. The fluid also carries the waste products away, ridding the body of what it not longer needs.
Tips for Supporting Brain Health
Keeping your brain healthy is something that requires daily maintenance. Sleep is vital, good nutrition, hydration, exercise, continued learning and socializing are all critical for health. Brain health is interconnected with physical, emotional, spiritual and social well-being. By nurturing brain health through practices like craniosacral therapy, mindfulness, and healthy lifestyle choices, individuals can enhance their overall health and quality of life.
Support your brain health alongside CST with:
- Techniques to help you when stressful things happen like, mindfulness practices.
- Physical exercise, get your heart rate up and break a sweat multiple times a week, including activities that challenge balance and hand-eye coordination.
- Proper nutrition, whole foods that are brightly colored (think kale, pasture raised meat and eggs, beets) and take supplements if needed. A good multi vitamin, magnesium, Vitamin D3, probiotics and fish oils are typically necessary in today’s day and age.
- Sleep, deep, restorative sleep for between 7-9 hours each night.
- Get sunshine on your body and fresh air in your lungs every day.
- Stay hydrated, drink half your body weight in ounces of filtered water every day.
If you are interested in improving your brain health or are experience conditions such as anxiety, depression, traumatic brain injury, headaches, whiplash please schedule an appointment today. Craniosacral Therapy may be able to help resolve the issue for good, at the root of the cause without drugs or surgery.