Therapy file A gentle, hands-on treatment that involves a practitioner placing their hands on a patient and ‘listening’ with them to what is happening, pinpointing imbalances in the connective tissue and membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
As is the case with many alternative therapies, craniosacral therapy (CST) is used to stimulate the body’s own healing processes. It’s used by practitioners from other disciplines including physiotherapists, naturopaths and chiropractors and was developed from the work of an osteopath. “The therapy works by skilled application of light pressure to assist the natural ability of the body to release stresses and tensions ,” explains CST practitioner Paul Strode. “I use it to treat lots of conditions from emotional stress, neck and back pain to migraines, temporomandibular joint disorder, post-operative trauma and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia.” Paul finds children respond particularly well to this therapy. “All ages can benefit – it can quickly resolve problems in newborns which can otherwise cause developmental difficulties as the child grows,” he explains. “CST helps with birth trauma, colic, sleeping and feeding issues, night terrors, challenging behaviour and even dyslexia.”
Interestingly, Paul says members of the animal kingdom respond just as well. “Horses for example find CST find treatment relaxing and happily accept it.If a horse starts behaving strangely, is feeling unbalanced, loses condition, is lame or seems one-sided, CST can probably help,”
says Paul.
What
happens?
A
patient lies, or sometimes sits, on a treatment couch and remains fully-clothed. The therapist will place their hands on your body and tune in. People report feeling a deep sense of relaxation during treatment. “CST can pinpoint areas of active tissue imbalances around the head and body,” says Paul. “There is usually a natural focus around the head and spinal column, as the name suggests, but treatments are by no means restricted to these areas.”
People
who have suffered a stroke are advised not to have CST, but other than this, it’s regarded as being suitable for all. “It’s a versatile therapy in that it can treat both acute and chronic conditions, and regular sessions can prevent problems arising in the future,” says Paul.
CASE
STUDY
“CST has helped my whole family!” Jo
Coughlan from Surrey has used the therapy for the last 10 years
“We
first tried CST for my son, who was a troubled three-year-old. We went to see Paul who managed to sort out his nightmares and grounded him. Paul still continues to help him to this day with sport injuries, headaches and stress. We now call it the ‘top up’, which my son may need every three, six or 12 months depending on what’s happening in his life. The birth of my third child was very stressful and Paul transformed her from a screaming two-week-old to a delightful little baby. Both my husband and I have also been treated for stress, recovery from viral meningitis and for general time out. CST is amazing and I’d recommend it for anyone, whatever their age.”
You can contact Paul Strode in the following ways:
Call: 01372 464 659
Email: mail@cst-info.com
Visit: craniosacraltherapist.co.uk
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