Craniosacral therapy, or CST, uses very light touch to release restrictions in the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. CST enhances central nervous system performance and allows the body to self-correct. It focuses on the cerebrospinal fluid that is continuously circulating throughout the body and providing a cushion for the brain and spinal cord. As craniosacral fluid is produced in the ventricles of the brain it creates a pulse all its own - the craniosacral rhythm.

Just as breath and blood circulation would cause a problem if hindered, so would cerebrospinal fluid and it shows up in pain, muscle tension, or other symptoms. Craniosacral therapy aims to find restriction in the body within the soft tissue. Since muscles have the inate ability to store energy and experience, energy cysts, fascial tension, facilitated segments along the spine, and diaphragm constriction are all things that can be addressed.

As with all therapy that is not mainstream there tends to be an air of skepticism surrounding it. Nothing speaks more solidly of a treatment than the comments of an individual who has received it. CST has seen recipients with scoliosis, fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, postural tension, sinusitis, and respiratory issues benefit. Enough cannot be said about the importance of overall body balance and release of restriction. Craniosacral therapy can do just that.

This bodywork was developed in 1970 by osteopathic surgeon, John Upledger, who discovered that the spinal column throbbed with a rhythm separate from that of breath or heart rate, the craniosacral rhythm. CST can alleviate pain and stress and is especially effective in treating week-long migraines, TMJ, sinus problems, and insomnia. It has been used to effectively treat cerebral palsy, nervous disorders, some forms of paralysis, and depression. Other things that wouldn't normally receive treatment like a gag reflex, twitching muscles, or a bruised foot (or other area of the body) are treatable with CST.

"...there seems to be a constantly-changing list of 'popular' human maladies. It is though we have a need to suffer..." -Dr. John Upledger, DO

Dr. Upledger notes that back in the 60's business executives suffered from peptic ulcers, creatively frustrated housewives from depression, and blue collar workers from hemorrhoids. In the 80's antacids marked the upwardly mobile while today the male has a coronary bypass scar and the woman oral appliances...the "badge of her TMJ." Rather than brush off these symptoms as passing fads, Upledger regards them seriously disagreeing with their over diagnosis. In his book, Craniosacral Therapy: Beyond the Dura, he mentions that TMJ was called Costen's Syndrome in 1936. Again, CST is highly effective in treating these symptom trends of different decades.

In receiving treatment, it is best to not skimp. Dire pain is a lot harder to reverse than is a funny twinge in the knee. Often people will feel relief with one session, find the pain more bearable, and wait for a flare up before going back for more treatment. But others will diligently treat their pain making sure it has gone completely and find more thorough and long lasting effects from their treatment. Regardless, CST peels back layers of restriction similar to how one would peel an onion. As pain starts to subside other pain will often show up. For example, the knee pain is gone, but now there is a strange shoulder pain. Because the body is all connected a fall on the shoulder during football season that was never treated muscularly and fascially never really leaves the body. It is stored. And 20 years later the morning jogging routine which seems to be to blame for the sore knee really, from a soft tissue perspective, can be traced back to that shoulder.

Aim to strengthen your health. Approach health care proactively rather than as a fireman would a burning building...with high pressure water hose and ax. Make good choices daily to short circuit major catastrophe. Eat right. Use exercise as a way to reduce stress. Minimize environmental toxins. Address facial and muscle restrictions in the body with massage. And watch yourself soar!

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Over last two hundred years, medical practice follows a war model: Find the enemy and destroy it; If the enemy can't be found, destroy the whole territory: such as antibiotics to kill bacteria, surgery to cut parts, and radiation to bombard the whole part of the body.

It is surprising that Hippocrates (460-377. B.C.), the father of Western medicine, thought that human body is a natural entity. He stated that health is in balance and diseases are caused by imbalance of body humors.

Not surprisingly, Chinese medicine shares the same philosophy with Hippocrates. Health is in balance and diseases are caused by imbalance of yin-yang. The Yin-Yang theory describes the polarization of all phenomena in the universe. The goal of medicine is to restore the balance.

So I find the law of balance for health from both ancient Western and Eastern philosophies. The law of balance for health: With balance with health; out balance out health.

Now, we observe balance is ubiquitous in health.

- Our body temperature is balances at 98.6 F. When it has 1 degree up or down, we will be sick.
- Cancers are caused by imbalance of cell's activation and inhibition.
- Osteoporosis is caused by imbalance of bone loss and bone building.
- Diabetes is caused by imbalance of sugar intake and sugar digestion.

When and why did Western medicine abandon Hippocrates's balance philosophy? Maybe, it is in the process of industrialization with the great success of mechanistic manufactures.

Be gentle to your body; try herbs first; use destructive operations as the last resort.

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How a Registered Nurse Brought Natural Health to Her Profession

Do you suffer from:

• Headaches (including migraines)
• Asthma
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Addictions
• Overweight
• Chronic pain
• Stress

If you answered, yes, then this is for you. Let me explain. The human body has natural healing abilities. The underlying idea here is that you may have "blocked energy." This refreshing way of viewing the human system suggests that an important cause for problems can be found in the disruption of the subtle energies that are known to circulate throughout our bodies.

Over 70 years ago Einstein brought us his famous equation E=mc2. Simply stated this means that everything (including our bodies) is composed of energy. This is so widely accepted that not one scientist on the planet disagrees with it. This is true even though energy related procedures have been clinically demonstrated thousands of times through balancing our mental and emotional bodies. These natural alternative healing remedies dramatically reduce the sting of traumatic memories, grief, anger, phobias and pain. Further it is usually long lasting and relatively gentle. It often works when nothing else will.

Along these lines, I have incorporated and personally used Einstein's theory with energy medicine natural healing techniques to relieve people's headaches (including migraines), carpal tunnel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, asthma and over 100 other ailments. I have also had success with anxiety, depression, abuse, addictions, overweight and other problems all through these natural healing techniques.

There are several different modalities used in energy medicine that have wonderful health benefits. Just a few are:

• Therapeutic Touch™
• Emotional Freedom Technique™
• CranioSacral Therapy™
• The Chakra System

The medical benefits of natural healing have been a major oversight in the field of medicine. My mission is to bring these natural alternative health remedies to your attention. It is satisfying beyond words to know that thousands are getting impressive relief every day by using these natural holistic energy therapies. It's what makes my motor run nowadays. From personal experience and with others, I stand by these natural holistic remedies. The health benefits have been astounding and I incorporate them into my regular nursing duties daily, helping increase the quality and health of the lives of others.

Llyn Wren, RN 2008©