CranioSacralTherapy

The Lightest of Touch by Jill K, Mabry

As massage therapists, we all have had astressed-out client dash into the office andtake half the session to relax. However, if atthe start of the session you induce a "still

point" in the client anywhere on his body, you canrelease accumulated stress within the first couple ofminutes.

"A still point is an extended pause or interruptionin the rhythmical activity of the craniosacral systemthat triggers a momentary buildup of cerebrospinalfluid." wrote Lisa Upledger, D.C, C.S.T.-D., in her

article, "CranioSacral Therapy: Working with theBody's Self Correcting Mechanisms" (MASSAGEMagazine, March 2007). "When the fluid is released, itcauses the membranes to stretch a bit more and'flush' any inherent restrictions or adhesions fromthe system.

"A still point can occur spontaneously or beinduced by the therapist using delicate tissuetechniques to restrict the flow of cerebrospinal fluidthrough the craniosacral system until it stopscompletely," she added.

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Get stillCranioSacral Therapy (CST) was developed by

ostéopathie physician John E. Upledger. who now headsup The Upledger Institute in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.CST is a gentle method of evaluating and enhancing thebody's craniosacral system, which comprises themembranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround andprotect the brain and spinal cord.

Using a soft touch—generally no greater than 5 grams,or about the weight of a nickel—CST practitioners releaserestrictions in the craniosacral system to improve thefunctioning of the central nervous system.

Effecting a still point is an important component ofCST, and it has a profound relaxing effect on theautonomie nervous system; thus, it is beneficial with mosthyper autonomie problems. Effecting a still point improvesfluid exchange between the various physiological

compartments ofthe body, and itimproves bloodflow by reducingsympatheticnervous tone. In a

We are oneDo you ever have clients come in with reoccurnng

problems? They are happy when you address the area oftheir pain and they feel better after a visit. But time aftertime, they point to the same area where the pain hasreturned—and we continue to chase restrictions andpain. The core of the problem may not always be at thesight of the pain. In this case, it is helpful to have the skillof palpating the craniosacral rhythm throughout thebody to determine where the body fascia is restricted.

The fascia—the tough, total hody, interconnectedtissue that has been called the body stocking under theskin—helps hold all ofour parts together. This meansabnormal tension patterns in the fascia maybetransmitted from one body part to another in what mayappear to be a bizarre way, unless one appreciates theoneness of the fascial system.

Among the more subtle physiological bodymovements fascia normally allows is the rhythmicallyinternal and external rotation of the total body in concertwith the craniosacral system. With proprioceptive hands,the core restrictions that are causing the illusive,recurrent symptoms are revealed, making the

CranioSacral Therapy can addressmany conditions, including headache,low-back pain and TMJ disorder.

Johr Upiedger D O.. perfcmsCranioSacral Therapy.

short time, theclient becomesnotably calmer andable to maximizethe benefits of hismassage. A still

point also is a nice way to end a massage session, as itbalances the client's craniosacral system for a smoothertransition back into his day.

For the past 12 years, I have been a CST study-groupleader for massage therapists. Study group participantsprobably still hear the sound of my voice from the myriadtimes I have said, "Still point. Still point. Still point.... Thiswill be your most useful tool." Therapists would ask,"What if a client has a headache?" "Still point," 1 wouldanswer. "What if a client comes in with edema?" Stillpoint. "What if a client is tired all of the time?" Still point."How about the client with rheumatoid arthritis? Stillpoint. Tight muscles? Still point Acute pain? Still point.Fever? Still point. Reducing stress? Still point. And the listgoes on.

craniosacral motion a great evaluation tool.For example. I recently had a client with hip pain.

Using CST to evaiuate the fascia, the restrictions lead meto an old appendectomy scar. Over time, the fascia pullfrom the scar caused pain and discomfort in the hip area. Iaddressed the core restriction, and the client expressedrelief from the pain.

Other conditions I've used CST for include reoccurringheadaches caused by fascia pulls in a lower extremity,low-back pain caused by a hysterectomy andtemporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder derived from afascia pull originating with an old knee injury.

Follow your passionI started my joumey in The Upledger Institute's CST

curriculum in 1994, while still in massage school. At thetime, I did not realize how easy it would be to incorporateCST into a massage session—or how useful learningmultiple modalities would be for my future CST practice.Over the years, I have come to notice that with eachcontinuing education workshop, I became a better

7 0 i MASSAGE Magar •'--*• 2010

therapist for the client.Massage therapists occasionally ask me how they can

build a successful practice. We can do this by followingour passion for bodywork and pursuing modalities thatinterest us. When we do what we love most, it isn't work.

Years of building my practice and expanding my clientcare to obstetrics, infertility and chronic-fatigue

Leam about training offered by The Upledger Institute inQranioSacral Therap¡í and other techniques by visitingwww.massaciemaq.com/upledefertraininci. -^

patients—from newborns to the elderly—has been asurprising and rewarding journey.

A CST pédiatrie class allowed me to acquire skills towork with children, and it unexpectedly made me a bettertherapist for clients of ail ages. Attuning to the sensitivityof children showed my hands bow to be more perceptivewith adults.

The biggest surprise occurred in February 2009 when Iassisted at The Upledger Institute's new CST obstetric

course. This one class has changed how I address allclients—female and male—who come into my office. Iknow I can offer simple techniques to release the uterusin women and the prostate in men. Thus, by increasingmy capabilities, I have been able to build a large, diverseclient base.

Massage therapists working in a chiropractic settingalso find CST a beneficial modality for the type of clientinjuries often presented to them. Acute injuries, such aswhiplash or a "hot low back," usually have to waitawhile until the client can receive massage therapy. Butwith the "direction of energy" technique, the client canbe seen by the massage therapist as early as the firstvisit. This low-force, noninvasive technique has no

contraindications. Stimulating the body's natural healingmechanisms as soon as possible increases the rate atwhich the client experiences improvement.

Another valuable CST technique in the chiropracticsetting is the "durai tube rock and glide." This techniqueis helpful for herniated disc, postoperative adhesions,compressed or fractured vertebra, scoliosis, lordosis,kyphosis and fusions. Using CST to find the core ofreoccurring issues and being able to work on acute

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conditions are two valuable tools for any massagetherapist.

When the client wondersIn a typical session, I might use three to five different

modalities. First, 1 evaluate restrictions with thetechniques of CST and visceral manipulation. I then useCST, lymph drainage therapy, visceral manipulation,Swedish massage, positional and trigger-point release oracupressure. I never feel the need to explain eachmodality as I change from one to another. But, veryoften, when I introduce a CST technique, clientsenthusiastically will inquire what it was they justexperienced. How do you explain CST to a client whenincorporating it into a session?

"It is with the lightest of touch that the body can dothe deepest healing," I explain, "Through this lighttouch, the body knows how to self-correct. You wereprobably able to perceive the deep relaxationthroughout your entire body." I always keep theexplanation simple and let the client experience theresults.

In these times of rising stress in our clients" lives.

receiving regular massage can be more beneficial thanever. Adding CST to a session builds the immunesystem by strengthening the thymus. Clients also find ithelpful to leam about the use of a still-point inducer, aself-care tool, to strengthen their craniosacral systembetween appointments.

However, one of the most important things I learnedfrom a friend when I started this journey was to alsoreceive bodywork. The circulatory system offers us alesson: After the lungs oxygenate the blood, the heartpumps the first, best and freshest blood back to itself.While semng others is a key part of our lives, lovingand caring for ourselves and our own bodies is essentialto serving others well.

Jiil K. Mabry. L,M,T. C.S,T,. is an advanced CfanioSacral

Therapist and is certified with The Upledger Institute

as a CST presenter. She has a private practice at Hoag

Hospital's Women's Wellness Center in Newport

Beach, California. For more information, visit

www,jillmabry,com. Q i

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