The Healing Power of CranioSacral Therapy

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By Judy Bender (from Preemies Today, February, 2009, www.preemiestoday.org)

I am the mother of twin boys who were born prematurely at 28 weeks. For the first few weeks, I felt so overwhelmed and powerless in the face of all their serious medical problems. I never dreamed that I would find a kind of touch therapy that could help heal them. In the midst of their medical crisis, I learned about CranioSacral Therapy from my acupuncturist and scheduled a CranioSacral Therapy session for my babies as soon as possible—we had not quite reached their due date at the time of their first appointment.

The results of the therapy sessions were miraculous. My son, Steven, had a grade III intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). The neurosurgeon was convinced that he would need surgery to implant a shunt in his brain. However, after one session of CranioSacral Therapy, Steven was so much better that he was no longer a candidate for a shunt. Another of his other conditions, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), lessened and his vision significantly improved. The retina specialist asked what had happened to Steven and was amazed that he was miraculously doing so much better. Due to Steven’s brain hemorrhage, he was at risk for developing seizures, MR, and cerebral palsy. Thankfully, Steven has none of these conditions.

Our twins are now 7 years old and doing well. Because of their premature birth, they still have some challenges that other 7 year-olds don’t have, but they continue to make progress. They run, play, and are kings of the playground. They are in first grade and are on grade level academically. The boys both speak in sentences and are growing well. Steven is a computer wiz and recently taught me how to add attachments to my e-mail!

The wonderful woman who performed the CranioSacral Therapy was Judith Sullivan. She helped me write this article to help other parents seeking help for their preemies.

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a kind of touch therapy that is done on a baby, child or adult. The person is fully clothed and the therapist touches them with a very gentle, light touch equal to the weight of a nickel. The therapist doesn’t massage, but instead holds the client in different places, such as the neck, temples, forehead, head and/or the back. The therapist is fully aware of what is happening under the skin at these pressure points.

CST can enhance the body’s natural healing processes and be effective for a wide range of health problems for people of all ages including: Colic, Attention Deficit Disorder, Nursing Difficulties, Learning Disorders, Emotional Difficulties, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Head and other Traumatic Injuries, Irritable Child Syndrome, Migraines, Chronic Neck and Back Pain, Motor-Coordination Impairments, Central Nervous System Disorders, Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries, Scoliosis, Infantile Disorders (excess or deficiency of sleep, wakefulness, digestive disorders), Stress and Tension-Related Problems, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post-Surgical Dysfunction and other conditions.

The CranioSacral System is a physiological system that exists in all mammals. It is comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid, a semi-hydraulic system that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Its formation begins in the womb; its function continues until death. The CranioSacral system derives its name from the bones involved. Included are the bones of the skull, face, and mouth, which make up the “cranium” and extend down the spinal cord to the “sacrum.” The dural tube, a tough membrane that surrounds the spinal cord, connects the two. An imbalance in the CranioSacral System can adversely affect the development and function of the brain and spinal cord, which can result in sensory, motor, and intellect dysfunction. CST enhances the body’s normal, natural self-corrective mechanism. The therapist’s light, hands-on approach assists the hydraulic forces inherent within the CranioSacral System to improve the body’s internal environment. It can also improve the functioning of the central nervous system.

CranioSacral Therapy was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics.

The earlier a CranioSacral therapist works with a baby the better, especially with brain injury or trauma at birth. When the baby is just beginning to develop, CST will yield the most powerful benefit. However, CST can always benefit a child, even years later.

CST is one treatment that parents may wish to consider for their preemies or other children. However, as with any therapy, it is important to discuss any treatment with your pediatrician or family doctor.

I am so grateful to have found CST. I remember that I felt so empowered to be able to do something to help my sons at a time when so much of what they experienced was not in my control.

For more information here are some helpful websites:

  • The Upledger Institute’s website www.upledger.com
  • Judith Sullivan’s website www.chijude.com

Editor’s Note: Before beginning any new therapy or alternative therapy, you should speak to your child’s healthcare team and understand the benefits as well as the risks.