CranioSacral Therapy Chat
Dateline: 05/04/98
CranioSacral Therapy Chat
Roy Desjarlais, LMT, instructor and curriculum director of The Upledger Institute, Inc. was kind enough to be the guest in the Spa Site Chat Room last night. Roy provided lots of information about CranioSacral Therapy - what it is used for, who practices it, how much it costs, etc. Please read on to learn more about this interesting therapy. More information on The Upledger Institute is provided after the chat transcript.
Before you read the chat transcript, I want to share a story with you from Dr. Upledger's book, Your Inner Physician and You. This remarkable story is just one of many and I hope it will inspire you to learn more about CranioSacral Therapy.
Julie Register
Spa Guide
The Famous TMJ Syndrome
"I had a patient come in about three years ago with severe pain in the left side of her face. You couldn't touch the left cheek bone (zygome) without making her jump with pain. She had headaches and a stiff neck all the time. She had severe left arm and shoulder pain on bad days. About one-third of her days were "bad days." Her son was a dentist. Her son's partner had taken over her case in an attempt to solve the temporomandibular joint problem [TMJ]. This poor lady was getting no relief, and she was wearing one dental appliance at night, a different on in the daytime, and using pain pills like they were going out of style. She wasn't getting any better and was becoming desperate. Her son had heard about CranioSacral Therapy and suggested that she see me before the next phase of the dental treatment plan was instituted. That next phase would have been the reshaping of her teeth in an attempt to reposition her lower jaw.
"Craniosacral evaluation revealed the fact that both temporal bones were malpositioned and not moving in accommodation with the rhythmical changes in the fluid pressure within the hydraulic craniosacral system. Further evaluation of the system revealed that the reason for the temporal bones' malfunction was coming from the low back. Here I found that the lower end of the tube of dura mater membrane that connects the low back and pelvis to the skull was suffering a remarkably high and abnormal tension. This problem was stemming from the sacrum, which was malpositioned. This sacrum problem occurred because some of the muscles that attach to it were in an abnormal state of increased contraction. These were the piriformis muscles. She then told me that before all this began she had fainted in her kitchen and fallen to the floor. The reason she had fainted was an overdose of medicine for high blood pressure. I knew now where the TMJ syndrome began. It began with an overdose of blood pressure medication that led to a fainting episode and a fall to the floor. The fall resulted in a twisted pelvis and base of the spine. This twist was maintained because the muscles contracted, as they do, and splinted in order to prevent the injury from getting worse. One of the things I have learned over the years is that many of the mechanisms that protect us and perhaps save our lives in times of emergency begin to damage us later because they don't know when to turn off after the accident is over or the danger is past.
"These contracted piriformis muscles were preventing the sacrum at the lower end of her craniosacral system from accommodating the rhythmical hydraulic fluid pressure fluctuations. This condition was also producing an abnormal tension in the dura mater membrane tube up the spinal canal into the head. The membranes in the skull are so arranged that the temporal bones are extremely vulnerable to abnormal tensions in the dura mater membrane system from below. This was the cause of the malposition of the temporal bones. The temporal bone malposition and loss of normal mobility changed the positions of the temporomandibular joint sockets. It made them uneven from one side to the other. The lower jaw bone, otherwise known as the mandible, is a single bone. When the two sockets are not even on both sides of the head, one or the other or both of the temporomandibular joints are stressed. The TMJ syndrome is then set into motion.
"I decided to attack this problem from its source. I knew that if I was going to refute all that this nice lady had been led to believe by her dentist son's colleague, I needed a convincing argument. Nothing is more convincing than a dramatic relief of pain. The whole craniosacral system evaluation had taken about 15 minutes. So, without a word, I began work on the piriformis muscles that were binding the sacrum down improperly. This meant that I put one hand under her right buttock, as she lay on her back on the treatment table, and put my other hand on the front and side of the right hip and pelvis. ( The piriformis muscles connect the hip and sacrum.) I could feel her questioning my sanity, although she didn't day a word. I'm sure she was thinking to herself, "Why is this cuckoo working down there? Doesn't he know the problem is up here in my head?" It took about five minutes before the piriformis muscle relaxed. When it did relax, I could feel the sacrum loosen up. I began to encourage and support the sacral movement in accord with the craniosacral system's rhythmical activity. As the sacrum began to move in synchrony with the system, I watched her face relax. At the same time, her body relaxed. She smiled, then began to quietly laugh and cry at the same time. The pain was gone. Her face felt better. Her headache went away. Her neck remained stiff. I went to the left side of her pelvis and released the left piriformis muscle and, with this release, the neck stiffness went away. I didn't have to convince her of anything with words. The results spoke for themselves. She got rid of all her dental appliances and has felt good rather consistently since that first session.
"The piriformis muscle needed relaxation training, so I showed her some exercises that would prevent recurrence of the problem. I did follow-up work on the craniosacral system at weekly intervals for about two months. Now I see her about once every three or four months for "tune-up" work and for her peace of mind. She has vivid memories of the pain she endured. This is the craniosacral approach to the TMJ syndrome."
Reprinted with permission of John E. Upledger, D.O., O.M.M., author of Your Inner Physician and You : Craniosacral Therapy and Somatoemotional Release
copyright 1997
all rights reserved
CranioSacral Chat Transcript
Julie: Welcome to the Spa Site Chat Room, Roy! I’m glad you could join us.
Roy: Hello!
Julie: I just became aware of CranioSacral Therapy a few years ago at a spa. Unfortunately, it was such a popular treatment, I could not get an appointment during my visit. How do most people get introduced to CranioSacral Therapy?
Roy: Quite often it happens through "word of mouth" referral. However, an ever-increasing number of mainstream healthcare professionals are referring their patients and clients to therapists specializing in CranioSacral Therapy (CST).
Question: Would you give a brief overview of what CranioSacral Therapy is?
Question: For what sort of health problems would someone seek CST?
Roy: I can probably answer both of those questions at the same time...
Roy: CST is a gently, noninvasive, hands-on technique that helps detect and correct imbalances in the CranioSacral System (the system that surrounds the brain and spinal cord). These imbalances may be the cause of sensory, motor, or neurologic disfuntions. We use it to treat a wide range of problems including: headaches, neck and back pain, TMJ dysfunction, chronic fatigue, motor coordination difficulties, eye problems, hyperactivity, central nervous system disorders etc.
Question: Roy, who developed CST?
Roy: CranioSacral Therapy was developed by Dr. John Upledger, (DO). His work is an evolution of an Osteopath named William Sutherland who was around in the early 1900's. Dr. Upledger headed up a team of researcher at Michigan State University looking at Sutherlands cranial osteopathic techniques. Dr. Upledger quickly saw how going beyond Sutherland's focus on the cranial bones to the membranes underneath would greatly enhance the therapeutic value.
Julie: I have been reading Dr. Upledger’s book, "Your Inner Physician and You." There are some amazing stories in it of how CranioSacral Therapy has improved such diverse conditions as headaches, depression, TMJ, chronic pain, mental retardation, learning disabilities, dyslexia, autism, hyperactivity, seizures, cerebral palsy, difficult labor in pregnancy, colicky babies, etc. The list is impressive. What are the most common conditions that people seek CranioSacral Therapy for?
Roy: Probably the most common would be headaches, neck and back pain and problems associated with physical trauma. However, we treat just about any condition except for a few acute situations that need to stabilize before the application of CST.
Roy: The reason CST is so applicable is that it supports the efficient workings of the central nervous system--the main communicator for the entire body
Question: It appears that CranioSacral Therapy is often very effective in treating conditions that arise from some prior trauma - a fall, a blow, etc. Is that correct?
Roy: True. The body tends to isolate and store "trauma" that it doesn't have the capability to release at the time of the injury. CST is excellent to access the stored trauma and facilitate its release.
Question: Are there other classes of conditions not due to injury that CranioSacral Therapy is highly successful treating?
Roy: CST is very effective for syndromes that seem to have their origins in genetic challenges or environmental exposures etc. We make no claims, but have many clinical experiences that tend to baffle mainstream medicine. CST is also effective treating the body/mind/emotional component of health.
Question: How effective is CranioSacral Therapy in treating stress?
Roy: Excellent! Because we are addressing the Central Nervous System, both the automatic (autonomic) branches as well as those under our conscious control, he have tremendous success in releasing stress patterns and increasing overall wellness which includes the immune system.
Question: On average, what does a CST session cost?
Roy: Usually sessions last anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour. Costs can range from $45-$200 a session depending on the experience of the practitioner and the areas "going rate."
Question: What would a person receiving CranioSacral Therapy feel during a treatment session.
Roy: Because each person has arrived at their condition uniquely, their experience will be unique as well. Common sensations would be: an overall sense of relaxation--sometimes to a profound degree, greater sense of body, release of pain mechanisms, greater range of motion in the extremities, greater sense of wellness. Sometimes people feel body temperature changes during a session. This is the body rebalancing after structural restrictions release and the body works to balance in a
Julie: Roy - I think the last sentence got cut off.
Roy: I can read the last line I wrote. But follow-up to that would be that we understand that the body has an innate wisdom that always remembers the greater balance. We assist the body to let go of compensatory mechanisms that restrict that efficiency and balance. Once the restrictions are released, the body's wisdom takes over and rebalances.
Question: What do you, as a practitioner, actually feel when you perform CranioSacral Therapy? Are you looking for bumps, squishy spots, etc. Can you actually feel the rhythmic movement of the dura mater membrane?
Roy: I certainly feel for the cranial rhythm throughout the patient's body. This rhythm is one of our main evaluation tools for the application of our techniques. Where the body is not moving, indicates restriction. Once we determine areas to be worked on, we apply the techniques and can feel anything from warmth, softening, lengthening of tissue, histamine (reddening of the tissue) effects, etc.
Question: How are CranioSacral Therapy practitioners trained? Is a practitioner at a spa the same caliber as a medical practice or wellness center? What can we look for that will ensure the practitioner is adequately qualified?
Roy: The Upledger Institute offers over 600 post graduate seminars a year world-wide. We have several classes in our CST curriculum that starts with the introductory class (CST I) and continues through to our Advanced classes. Students attain skills and tools applicable right from the very first seminar. Each successive class builds on the theory and skills already learned. The caliber of practitioner depends on the dedication and practice of the techniques. We monitor our students during the workshops and continue to support their learning after the course through study groups around the country.
Question: Are there any prerequisites to get into the introductory class?
Roy: Most often our students have licenses in some area of healthcare. However, we also allow lay persons to take our classes. These folks generally have an interest in learning our techniques to help family members who have been injured or are dealing with varied syndromes or disease processes. Our students range from MD's, DO's, DC's, PT's OT's, Massage Therapists, Estheticians, Nurses, Acupuncturists and lay persons.
Question: Is the Upledger Institute the only place that trains people in CST?
Roy: No. There are others in the US and abroad. We are probably the best known in the world for what we do and carry a reputation for providing extremely high quality instruction.
Question: If I were to look for a practitioner, would there be a minimum level of training I should ask for?
Roy: That would depend on the nature of the situation you were looking to have addressed. The more acute or intense the situation, the more advanced training I would look for in a practitioner (and years of experience).
Question: Where (how) can people find qualified CranioSacral Therapy practitioners? Is there a directory?
Roy: Our directory is an excellent place to look! We have a compiled listing of all the practitioners that we've trained. It's called the: International association of healthcare practitioners and can be ordered through The Upledger Institute at 800-233-5880. The cost is $6.00.
Julie: I see our time is up. Thank you, Roy, for all the great information you have shared with us tonight. Perhaps we can have another chat in the future to cover subjects that we did not have time to discuss this evening such as tissue memory, Energy Cysts, SomatoEmotional Release, the power and significance of intention and touch, and the use of Therapeutic Imagery and Dialogue.
Roy: It's been my pleasure. I'd be glad to come back and visit.
Question: Thanks, I learned a lot... I'd better make an appointment for CST.
Julie: In closing, I would like to leave everyone with a quote from Dr. Upledger’s book, Your Inner Physician and You, "At present, I am reasonably convinced that the only limitations imposed upon our self-healing abilities are those that we ourselves construct out of the negative beliefs that we hold about self-healing. I realize now that my job is as a facilitator to the patient’s own healing process…I know that the patient does the healing and that I am privileged to witness and perhaps participate in his or her healing process... I know that I am the student and the patient is my teacher."
End of Chat
photos courtesy of The Upledger Institute, Inc.
The Upledger Institute, Inc. is an educational and clinical resource center that integrates the best of conventional healthcare with advanced complementary techniques. Dedicated to the natural enhancement of health, it’s recognized worldwide for its continuing-education programs, clinical research and therapeutic services. You can learn more about The Upledger Institute, Inc. and CranioSacral Therapy at The Upledger Institute Online web site. Here you will find information about its Development, Seminars with online registration, Clinical Services, information about the illness, pain and dysfunction they help alleviate, Educational Services, Continuing Education, Study Groups, Current Events, Press Releases, Research and Observations that Support the Existence of a Craniosacral System, and and order form for the International Association of Healthcare Practitioners Directory.
The Upledger Institute, Inc.
11211 Prosperity Farms Rd. D-325
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
phone: 800-233-5880 or 561- 622-4334
Fax: (561) 622-4771
email:
http://upledger@upledger.com
Please post any additional questions you have about CranioSacral Therapy at the new Spa Bulletin Board. The Upledger Institute will be happy to answer them.
To order books about CranioSacral Therapy, go to the Spa Site Bookstore.
Don't miss the next Spa Chat with guest Steve Capellini, renowned spa therapist, who will chat about his new book, "The Royal Treatment" on 6-16-98, from 8 pm to 9 pm ET.
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