Let’s face it—life is stressful. Jobs are demanding, and balancing family and relationships leaves little time for taking care of oneself. People everywhere are living with common, yet debilitating, illnesses that dictate how they live their everyday lives.  

Some are accident survivors coping with the painful aftermath from traumas such as whiplash and concussions. Some are migraine and tension headache sufferers. Some just plain can’t sleep at night. No matter what the complaint, everyone can agree that living without these issues could literally change lives. So what is the answer to getting better?  

Medical reasons and stress management are the top listed reasons people today are receiving massage. And their doctors agree—of those who discussed it, more than 50 percent report that their doctor either recommended or strongly encouraged receiving regular massage for dealing with a variety of health concerns.* Depending on the client, a  therapist may choose any number of techniques to apply. Among those most effective for traumas and chronic pain complaints is craniosacral therapy (CST).  

CST works to correct the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid as it moves up and down the spine between the cranium and sacrum. The brain and spinal cord are encased in a layer of connective tissue known as the dura mater. When the body experiences trauma, the dura mater tightens around the structures to protect it. The body, however, does not possess a trigger to tell it to let go once the trauma has passed. The pressure from prolonged tightening disrupts the cerebrospinal fluid flow and can cause a number of health issues. That is where this therapy steps in.

By cradling the sacrum, spine and cranium—as well as other points on the body—in a series of “holds,” a massage therapist can affect the rate at which the cerebrospinal fluid moves. As the flow is regulated, the dura mater relaxes, clearing tense areas. For migraine and tension headache sufferers, a form of CST known as cranial suture massage can be particularly effective. This technique focuses solely on the sutures which interlock the bones of the skull. The movement of cerebrospinal fluid causes the sutures to open and close slightly several times a minute. Working the sutures lightly corrects any flow imbalance and allows the movement of the bones to occur more smoothly releasing the dura mater and taking tension off the brain. And because CST is slow, light work, it calms the nervous system making it useful in alleviating anxiety and insomnia as well.

Typical treatment includes initial assessment and weekly treatment for several weeks to get the complaint under control. A reassessment at the end of this time determines if the treatment is achieving the desired results. Once under control, most clients need only monthly maintenance to keep symptoms at bay. With regular work, CST can be an effective treatment for a variety of common ailments.

Imagine not having to plan days around bottles of pain killers or spend nights on sleeping pills. Imagine not having to miss work because of another headache. Imagine fixing the problem instead of masking the symptoms. This can be reality. You don’t have to just live with it; one-third of Americans have already turned to massage for pain management, injury rehabilitation, migraine control and overall wellness.* Now it’s your turn. .

* Sources: 2007 Massage Therapy Consumer Survey Fact Sheet www.amtamassage.org

		Julia C. Brunelle is a certified massage therapist at Creative Wellness in East Lansing. She specializes in relaxation, neuromuscular therapy, reflexology, mysofascial release and cranial suture massage.