About Cranial Therapy

Cranial Therapy
What Is It?

Cranial therapy is manual medicine. Just as doctors listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope, practitioners of cranial therapy listen to your body’s movements and rhythms with their hands.

Our bodies expand and contract three-dimensionally, slowly and very minutely. This expansion and contraction is called the “cranial rhythm.” Like the circulatory and respiratory rhythms, the cranial rhythm maintains health and life. It exists before we are born and remains for a short time when we pass, even after the breathing and heart rate have stopped.

Cranial therapists listen with their hands to discover locations where the cranial rhythm and the natural movements of your body have been disturbed and diminished through trauma, disease, etcetera.

How cranial therapists work with their findings varies from practitioner to practitioner. Many practitioners use subtle manipulations to help resolve imbalances in the musculoskeletal system and your body’s cranial rhythm. This method of practice is generally referred to as a “Biomechanical” approach. Cranial therapists may also work in a “Biodynamic” way, listening and following your whole body’s rhythms and movements without employing adjustment or manipulation. These listening skills can support your body’s inherent healing ability to restore balance and health.

Cranial therapy addresses acute and chronic pain from physical,
mental and emotional sources. It helps people of all ages – from new
babies to those transitioning to death. Cranial therapy does not
interfere with other therapies nor does it have any contraindications.

Cranial Therapy
Questions & Answers

 Q: What happens during a cranial treatment?
A: The session begins with a brief intake where you will discuss your health concerns with the practitioner. After this you will lie comfortably on the treatment table. You will not need to undress as this is not a massage. The practitioner will then begin the treatment, placing their hands on your body, typically on the areas of concern as well as on your head, along your spine and often on your feet. When they do this they are listening to various parts of your body they have found to be out of balance.

Q: Will the treatment hurt?
A: No. Cranial can be profoundly relaxing, and is a safe and gentle modality. Most people who receive a cranial therapy treatment become deeply relaxed and often go into what they describe as a meditative state. Many say they feel relaxed and very calm for a few days after the treatment. Though not as common, it is possible you may experience some physical discomfort during the 48 hours following the treatment. This is actually a good sign. This indicates renewed circulation and nerve impulses activating an area in order to aid in its healing process.

Q: How many treatments will be required?
A: There is no fixed amount. As a general rule, recent problems may be resolved more quickly. If you are dealing with older issues, it may take more treatments until the body unlearns the trauma pattern and the correct movement can be re-established. If the issue you are dealing with is on-going stress, then you may want to schedule regular treatments.

Q: How long do cranial treatments take?
A: Cranial sessions generally last 45-60 minutes. After a session you may want some personal relaxation time.