Cranio-sacral therapy

What is it?

Cranio-sacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on therapy which focuses on the flow of the cerebro-spinal fluid throughout the body. Through gentle touch of the cranium and areas along the spinal cord, and unwinding movements of the limbs, the flow of the cerebro-spinal fluid is promoted to restore balance, free mobility and to bring back normal function to an affected area.

What does it treat?

Cranio-sacral therapy is a complementary treatment and not an alternative to medical advice and treatment. Back, neck and shoulder problems, headaches, sinusitis, ear infections, tonsilitis, glue ear, head injuries, jaw problems, frozen shoulder, arthritis and sciatica are among the conditions most commonly treated. It is suitable for all ages, including young children and babies. In children, it is considered useful for treating hyperactivity, dyslexia, learning difficulties and various other developmental problems.

A first timer's experience (35-year-old female journalist): "The treatment began with the therapist asking me to fill out a form with general personal details and details regarding my surgical history, major accidents, present medication and whether I was attending another health practitioner. He told me that sometimes with cranio-sacral therapy, old injuries may resurface, even to the extent of bruising reappearing on the body. Then, he requested me to take off my shoes and socks and lie on my back on a plinth.

"He began by gently touching my feet and ankles. He moved to my head, placing his hands on the sides and top of my head and also lifting my head and moving it slightly from side to side. He also checked the alignment of my jaws, noting that many people's jaws are misaligned due to prolonged dental work which then affects their whole spinal alignment. "Then he placed one hand under my upper back and touched the area around my chest. He repeated this procedure at my mid and lower back. He explained how he was tuning into the cerebro-spinal rhythms of my body, checking for imbalances. He said that he could feel that I had a strong level of vitality but that I was somewhat unsettled at the moment. (This, I felt was an accurate reading because there is a good deal of change in my life at present.) He then worked on my legs and arms, unwinding my legs at the hips, my arms at the shoulders, and my wrists. Next, he repeated some gentle touching actions and movements on the head and feet before concluding. He left me alone for a few minutes, resting on the plinth. We then discussed his assessment of my health.

"After the one hour session, I felt relaxed and happy. Later that evening, I felt I had been energised by the treatment and was able to function very well. The therapist said that, generally speaking, clients would need up to six sessions at weekly intervals for distinct improvement to a specific condition."

An advocate's view: Ciara (32) is a psychologist. "At the end of last year, I was very depleted - both on a physical and an emotional level. I had a plate put in my back following surgery after a fall from a horse six years ago. Although I appreciated the medical treatment at the time, I was aware that my whole body hadn't been looked after following the accident. I met a cranio-sacral therapist and decided to go for some treatments. I went weekly for about six sessions and now I go every now and then.

"My energy levels came back up quite quickly following the first few sessions. I also came to release a lot of emotion - particularly grief - which I was holding in my body. I believe that we hold our emotions in our bodies, which was why I had sought out a complementary practitioner, realising that `talking it out' alone wouldn't suffice. "Cranio-sacral therapy is very subtle, gentle and non-invasive and it has worked well for me."

The medical view: Dr Muiris Houston, Irish Times Medical Correspondent, says: "There is no evidence to back up claims of the effectiveness of cranio-sacral therapy in learning difficulties, dyslexia, hyperactivity or epilepsy. I would also be cautious about claims that this therapy enables all body tissue to function more effectively."

There is no association of Irish cranio-sacral therapists, but there are approximately 16 qualified therapists working in the Republic. A one-hour session costs £25-£30. Tel: 01-8484270 for a list of qualified practitioners