By Gloria Flores, CST-D guest author

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Few body structures have more influence over your health and well-being than your central nervous system, and the body system that has the most impact on your central nervous system is your craniosacral system.  By helping the central nervous system to perform at its best, Craniosacral Therapy naturally eliminates pain and stress, strengthens your resistance to disease, and enhances your health and well-being.
Craniosacral Therapy is an alternative approach to traditional healthcare that was developed from clinical trials at Michigan State University beginning in 1975. At that time, Dr. John E. Upledger, D.O., O.M.M. led a team of anatomists, physiologists biophysicists and bioengineers to test and document the influence of therapy on the body’s craniosacral system – the bones, membranes, and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

How Can Craniosacral Therapy Help Autism?
Today there are a variety of treatments available for the treatment of Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder, but Craniosacral Therapy has proven to be outstanding among popular methods of alternative treatment.

Dr. Carlos Pardo, researcher at John’s Hopkins University, has performed detailed analysis of Autism patients, used cerebrospinal fluid to evaluate markers of neuro-inflammation in patients with regressive forms of Autism. His research found increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory changes in the cerebrospinal fluid of the autistic patients studied.

These changes can compromise the craniosacral system causing loss of flexibility and probable inflammation of the membrane layers surrounding the brain. This can result in abnormal pressure changes within the brain, causing brain tissue congestion and toxicity.
Craniosacral Therapy focuses on balancing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and restoring mobility to the membrane layers surrounding the brain, helping the brain flush toxins and inflammation out of brain tissue.  It gently and non-intrusively unlocks cerebrospinal fluid passageways along the length of the brain, spinal cord and central nervous system. This elevates biochemical processing, increasing the function of neurons and neurological pathways. Increased mobility of brain tissues and fluids helps decrease the abnormal strain the brain has been under. Brain cells are then able to better process and react to all sorts of information.  Craniosacral Therapy should be continued until the child reaches adulthood since there’s a tendency for the membranes to tighten as growth spurts occur.
Parents of children with Autism often report that after Craniosacral Therapy sessions their child is more relaxed, better to make eye contact, is more verbal, demonstrates improved socialization, and increased ability to express love and affection. Improved function of the craniosacral system has been shown to be beneficial in relieving typical autistic behaviors such as head banging, thumb sucking and toe walking. These behaviors can be either alleviated or diminished with Craniosacral Therapy because small changes in the craniosacral system can create even larger changes in the entire body.
Because of its positive effect on so many body systems, Craniosacral Therapy is now practiced by a wide variety of healthcare professionals, including Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Doctors of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncturists, Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists and other professional body workers.

About the author

Gloria Flores, CST-D is a diplomate level certified Craniosacral Therapist and a California State certified massage therapist, a certified Holistic Health Practitioner and author. She teaches Craniosacral Therapy to healthcare professionals and the public. Contact Gloria  and her Upledger profile
Gloria can be contacted by email at: gloria@craniosacralcare.com

Resources
Excerpts courtesy of Discover Craniosacral Therapy
Excerpts courtesy of  healing-arts.org
Excerpts courtesy of  Brain’s Immune System Triggered in Autism
Excerpts courtesy of  http://goo.gl/QP8lg

Image courtesy of  http://goo.gl/pGokN

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