Osteopathic medicine highlights the belief that the body has an inborn ability to heal itself. Combining this belief with evidence and modern therapeutic practices such as mindfulness, somatic psychology, and energy psychology, therapists can utilize the body’s natural responses to promote greater health and well-being.
What Is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy?
Biodynamic craniosacral theory is a holistic approach to treatment that purports that natural forces within the body establish order for the creation, development, and maintenance of the body’s systems.
- When an individual is exposed to long-term stress or trauma, it can overwhelm the mind and body’s coping mechanisms and resources, and the physical body holds on to traumatic memories
- An experienced therapist can help in a non-invasive manner to help regain regulation of the nervous system
- It focuses on both physiological and psychological health.
When Is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Used?
Although biodynamic craniosacral therapy treats the physical body, this treatment has shown effectiveness for many psychological imbalances.
- Clients have seen remarkable improvement with these therapeutic sessions for many physical, mental, and emotional issues, including: abuse6 anxiety6 chronic fatigue, autoimmune disease, colitis, psoriasis, digestive disturbances, personal loss, physical pain and injury, organ dysfunction, stress and stress-related symptoms, trauma resolution, and surgery recovery
The Potential Benefits and Effectiveness of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
The goal is overall wellness in the mind, body, and spirit
- It alleviates the symptoms of blockages in the primary respiration and improves a person’s quality of life
- After undergoing this treatment, individuals tend to experience increased energy levels, improved digestion and organ function, more relaxation, and an overall renewed sense of well-being
History of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
In the early 1900s, William Sutherland hypothesized that there exists a force beneath the bones that causes tide-like motion even when a person is still or at rest
- The respiratory movement, like the tide, follows a widen-fill-rise and empty-narrow-descend cycle
- Sutherland saw this motion as an expression of the “breath of life,” a mystical, universal, underlying dimension.
- Later, Sutherland altered his premise to include his finding that the motion or tide carried healing power that was more effective than practitioners’ traditional methods
- More recently, osteopaths have embraced and expanded on Sutherland’s premises
Key Takeaways
Biodynamic craniosacral therapy utilizes the energy flow present in all beings
How Does Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Work?
Because biodynamic craniosacral therapy emphasizes health rather than illness, the therapist works to trigger the connection and response of the natural healing energy in the individual rather than rely on outside remedies for the treatment of issues.
- Sessions can last between 30 and 90 minutes. While some individuals may notice an improvement after a single session, it often take several sessions for a client to achieve their therapy goals.