To understand a bit more about CranioSacral Therapy and how it works, one needs to know about the craniosacral system itself. This is a very general overview of the system. I could get much deeper into the specifics (and probably will at some point) but here I just want you to know some of the key parts of the system and how it functions.

In general the craniosacral system is like the ‘housing’ for the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). It is protected by the bones of the skull (or cranium), the vertebrae, and the sacrum. Inside of this bony outer boundary are the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord and make up the craniosacral system.

The outermost layer of membrane is called the dura mater or dural membrane. This membrane lines the inside of the cranium and extends down the vertebral canal around the spinal cord. It has very few attachments within the vertebral canal to allow for movement of the spine, and then securely attaches again on the sacrum. The dural membrane creates the watertight, outermost boundary for the cerebrospinal fluid.

(The other two layers of membrane are the arachnoid mater and pia mater, and all together the 3 layers are called the meninges. Because I am not going in depth into the system, just know that the outermost layer, creating the ‘container’ for cerebrospinal fluid, is the dura mater.)

Just like the respiratory system or the cardiovascular system, the craniosacral system is a physiological system that has its own rhythm. This rhythm is created by the production and reabsorption of cerebrospinal fluid. The volume of fluid in the system is constantly changing; rising and falling at a rate of about six to twelve cycles per minute. This rhythmic motion helps to circulate cerebrospinal fluid around the system. This is important given its many functions, including:

• Providing nutrients to the brain and spinal cord
• Removing metabolic waste products
• Acting as a shock absorber
• Creating buoyancy to reduce the effects of gravity on the brain
• Maintaining an environment that supports good nerve transmission

What happens during this change in pressure within the system is that the outermost boundary (the dural membrane) gets stretched slightly when the system is full of fluid. Because of this stretching of the membrane and the fact that the membrane lines the inside of the cranium, there is an accompanying movement of the cranial bones as the dural membrane is filled and emptied. The movement of the bones is actually a very slight opening and closing of the sutures in the skull. (It was previously believed that the bones fused together by adulthood. We now know this is not the case.)

In CranioSacral Therapy classes, we teach students how to evaluate movement of the craniosacral system to detect restrictions. Restrictions within the system can effect:

• Functions of the brain and spinal cord
• Visual and auditory systems
• Motor coordination
• The endocrine and immune systems

Since the craniosacral system plays such an important role in the development and performance of the central nervous system, it is important that it be functioning as best as possible. A restriction could cause any number of problems including chronic pain, headaches/migraines, scoliosis, learning disabilities, chronic fatigue, and other health concerns.

CranioSacral Therapy can help keep your nervous system and your entire body functioning at its best.