CranioSacral Therapy

There are 27 bones that make up the skull, and they normally move slightly in relation to one another. This motion is critical in circulating the cushioning and nourishing fluid around the brain and spinal cord- the cerebrospinal fluid. Research suggests the cerebrospinal fluid affects sleep, appetite, and sexual behavior.

When the circulation of this fluid is disturbed, many symptoms may result, including headaches, dizziness, TMJ pain, reduced mental functioning, eye difficulties, facial spasm and pain, and recurrent sinus infection. This disturbance may begin as early as the birth process- sometimes the misshapen head you see in a newborn is inconsequential, sometimes it’s the beginning of a lifelong problem. CranioSacral Therapy is subtle and extremely gentle, but very powerful. We work with the natural hydraulic "respiration" of the skull bones, gently encouraging release where it is needed. There is no "forcing" in CranioSacral Therapy, properly done.

• Headache relief  Cranial and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems can cause headache directly, as the joints and sutures become inflamed. They can also prevent the sinuses from draining properly, causing sinus headache. In addition, they can serve as triggers for migraine and tension headache.
• Depression and mental alertness   If the fluid isn't circulating properly around the brain and spinal cord, the nervous system isn't nourished well, and waste products build up. The brain doesn't work at it's optimum level. For proper function and full alertness, you need a fresh, healthy flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
• Deep relaxation, deep integration   CranioSacral therapy is deeply relaxing, and normalizes some of the most fundamental rhythms in the body.
• For even more information about the technique, follow this link to the Upledger Institute

Dr. Benson is Kitsap County's doctor of CranioSacral Therapy