Craniosacral Massage Therapy from a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)   by David Jacob LMT - Licensed Massage Therapist

Craniosacral massage therapy is one of the massage therapy modalities that should be administered only by a licensed massage therapist (LMT). It joins the list of deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy, reflexology massage therapy, shiatsu massage therapy, acupressure massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy.

In craniosacral massage therapy, also called cranial osteopathy, the licensed massage therapist or LMT facilitates the proper flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the membranes enclosing the central nervous system. This is done by gently manipulating the skull and spine, including cranial sutures, the diaphragm and fascia, in order to realign misaligned bones. In the process, restrictions on nerve passages are released. As a result, the patient experiences relief from various conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorder or the inflammation of the joint between the jaw and the skull, chronic headache, fibromyalgia, back pain, neck pain and mental stress.

Craniosacral massage therapy was first developed by William Sutherland, a doctor of osteopathy in 1898 to 1900. At that time, the prevailing anatomical belief was that the skull was made of a solid unmoving piece of bone. Sutherland discovered that cranial sutures were more like fish gills and were bevelled at the points where the temporal bones meet the parietal bones. He then observed that the cranium moved in a pattern like breathing which he termed the primary respiratory mechanism, synchronized with the movement of the spinal sacrum. He later linked this with the vital force or Breath of Life which is at the center of the philosophy of osteopathy.

In his later years, Sutherland shifted his work to biodynamic craniosacral therapy and biodynamic osteopathy in which the Breath of Life is equated to the Asian concepts of Qi or Prana which are spiritual forces in the body that could correct and heal disorders even without additional external forces. In the biodynamic philosophy it is believed that the body retains embryological forces which continue to guide embryonic cells that are shaping the body. These embryological forces express the original intention of existence and can be tapped by the patient for self healing. In line with this philosophy, biodynamic craniosacral therapy and biodynamic osteopathy became more spiritual in nature and applied only subtle touch without external force.

The general field of osteopathy initially resisted cranial osteopathy but by 1940 a graduate course on "Osteopathy in the Cranial Field" was already included in the American School of Osteopathy, with Sutherland himself hailed as director. By 1947 he had established the Cranial Academy and by 1953 he had set up the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation.

Becker and James Jealous eventually developed biodynamic osteopathy further and Franklyn Sills eventually developed craniosacral therapy further.

Between 1975 and 1983, neurophysiologist and histologist Ernest W. Retzlaff and osteopathic physician John E. Upledger led a team of anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists and bioengineers of the Michigan State University in studying Sutherland's theory of cranial bone movement. The published study supported the theories of cranial bone movement and cranial rhythm. Later, Upledger developed his own style of craniosacral therapy and in 1987 he established the Upledger Institute with affiliates now under Upledger's International Association of Healthcare Practitioners.

The Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK (CSTA) was established in 1989; the Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America was put up in 1998; and the Craniosacral Therapy Association of Australia was founded in 2004; showing how much craniosacral therapy has been recognized worldwide.

A reputable professional licensed massage therapist (LMT) not only does craniosacral massage therapy in addition to deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy, reflexology massage therapy, shiatsu massage therapy, acupressure massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy but also does insurance billing for people in auto accidents. This is because many of its clients happen to be victims of auto accidents.

David Jacob LMT - Licensed Massage Therapist
David Jacob
5406 SE 45th Ave
Portland, OR 97206
Phone: 503-522-5550
Email: pdxmassage@live.com
Website: www.pdxmassage.net