Initial consultation and subsequent visits
Before your first appointment you will be asked to fill out a new patient assessment form. The first appointment will be forty five minutes or one hour long depending on your needs.
On subsequent visits you will be asked to fill out a brief assessment form to document any changes that have occurred since the previous treatment. All appointments after the initial consultation and treatment are thirty minutes long.
You will be asked to change into a gown before each treatment. This allows for proper access to your spine and pelvis. Patients are welcome to wear shorts, leggings or loose fitting legwear.
The aim of each treatment session
To effectively change the membranous tension around the central nervous system as this relates to the body's capacity for self-repair. Releasing held tension in the meninges will improve nerve distribution throughout the body as well as improving the flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the central nervous system.
Muscle testing
Muscle testing is also referred to as Applied Kinesiology (AK). AK was developed by George Goodheart Jnr in 1964. The technique has been widely utilised in chiropractic as a diagnostic tool. It basically involves testing the integrity of specific muscles in the body. Muscle weakness is generally associated with a deficient nerve supply. So by testing different muscle groups; a knowledgeable practitioner should be able to ascertain the associated nerve blockage in the central nervous system.
Achilles tension
Much of the treatment is conducted with the patient lying face down. A level line will be drawn across your heels so that the tension of the achilles muscles can be tracked throughout the treatment.
Quadriceps tension
The tension of the quadriceps muscles will also be tracked throughout the treatment. This is done by gently flexing the patient's knees to assess which knee can flex furthest. This is a very useful test that helps to indicate a 'long leg' and a 'short leg'. This disparity in leg length results from minor adaptations in the pelvis; elevating one hip and depressing the other. This test can become somewhat redundant after knee replacements or due to 'wear and tear' in the knee joints.
Palpation
During treatment the curvature of the spine will be continually checked through palpation. This helps to give an understanding of how the membranes around the central nervous system have pulled the spinal column out of alignment. Much attention is paid to the transitional areas of the spinal column (the thoracolumbar junction for example). The gut is also subject to gentle palpation during treatment as this helps to indicate which parts of the digestive tract are inflamed or under stress.
Pelvic blocking
Pelvic blocks / wedges are placed under the hips and pelvis while the patient lays face down. The weight of the patient lying on the blocks helps to reduce the rotation of the wings of the pelvis around the sacral bone (sacrum). The membranes enveloping the central nervous system are fused to the inside of the sacrum. Blocks are placed under the pelvis to reduce the tension of the membranous attachments inside the sacrum. Pelvic blocking is an integral component of the treatment; most spinal, pelvic and cranial corrections will be performed whilst the patient is lying on blocks.
Suction cups
Suction cups are placed over vertebrae that are stuck too far forward (anteriorities). The pressure of the suction cup helps to 'mobilise' the vertebrae in question which will change the membranous tension inside the vertebral column. Suction cups are often applied during pelvic blocking and are usually removed within five minutes. The suction cups may leave a slight mark; minor bruising or reddening of the skin. There is no pain involved and any markings will fade in the days following treatment.
Negative magnetic field exposure
A small neodymium magnet may be placed on the body for up to ten minutes. Common magnet placement points are over the adrenal glands and over the folds of the small intestines.
Stretch-holds
Stretch-holds refer to gentle manipulation of the skeletal system. The pressure applied to the skeletal system during stretch-hold corrections is intended to effect the membranous tension around the central nervous system. Stretch-holds are applied to the sacrum, spinal column, cranium and even on the roof of the mouth. These corrections are not to be confused with 'thrust like' chiropractic corrections. Although much of the underlying logic is similar, craniosacral treatment is much gentler than the conventional 'crack and crunch' adjustments that many people associate with chiropractic treatment.
Adjustment gun
Some corrections require gentle pressure / stimulation from an adjustment gun. Similar to stretch-holds, these corrections are applied to the skeletal system and in most instances the aim of the correction is to release membranous fixations inside the spinal column. The adjustment gun is also very useful for addressing misalignment in the extremities. All corrections are performed carefully and as gently as possible,
Anterior cervical adjustments
The alignment of the spinal column is greatly effected by the membranous distortions that occurs within the spinal column; vertebrae are pulled out of optimal alignment by the membranes that encase the spinal cord. It is very common for cervical vertebrae to slip too far forward (anterior), particularly in the upper and mid cervical spine. Gentle adjustments are performed on the lateral masses of the anterior vertebrae to release the membranous fixations within the cervical spine.
Intervertebral disc corrections
Contraction of the membranes around the central nervous system will bring about compression of the spinal column. It is the intervertebral discs that bear the brunt of this compression. As the intervertebral discs become compressed and bulge, impingements occur effecting the nerves emanating from the spinal column. Using a thumb, a gentle but firm pressure is applied to the bulging intervertebral disc. This applied pressure is effective in reducing the degree of compression on the disc and the resulting interference on the nerve.
Muscle attachments
Muscle imbalances arise as the skeletal system distorts around the central nervous system. Muscles are essentially 'levers and pulleys' that attach to the skeleton, so the more distortion that occurs in the skeletal system, the more imbalanced the muscular system will become. Releasing muscle attachments can greatly assist craniosacral treatment. Most of these corrections are performed on the extremities and on the paraspinal muscles.
Tendon / ligament manipulation
These are similar to muscle attachment corrections; gentle pressure is applied over the ligament or tendon. For example, it is very common for the bicipital tendon to slip out of the bicipital groove (frozen shoulder). Gentle pressure is applied over the tendon while the humerus and rotated to allow for the tendon to slip back into place.
Lymphatic massage
As the outer layers of the body distort around the inner layers of the body, lymphatic channels can become congested. This is particularly prevalent in the lymphatic channels between the ribs. A firm but gentle massage is applied to the congested lymphatic channels helping to restore proper flow in the lymphatic system.
Organ pumps (fascial release)
The fascial system is comprised of the fascia (connective tissue); a web like structure that envelops every organ, muscle and bone in the body. As the outer layers of the body distort around the inner layers of the body, the tension in the fascial system becomes imbalanced. Certain areas of the body will become constricted by fascia. This certainly applies to our organs and glands. Craniosacral treatment seeks to 'iron out' the kinks around the brain and the spinal cord that are effecting tension throughout the body. A gentle pump is often applied over bodily organs such as the gallbladder, liver, spleen and small intestines. The aim of these corrections is to release the fascial constriction effecting the associated organ.
Reflex points
Meridians are energy pathways that flow throughout the body. These pathways deliver energy to our organs and glands. Constriction of the fascial system can bring about blockages in these energy pathways. A gentle massage of the tissues around the meridian reflex points can help to reduce interference effecting the flow of energy. A negative magnetic field produced by a small neodymium magnet can also be utilised when addressing meridians and reflex points.
Diaphragm release
Through respiration the movement of the diaphragm plays a major role in exciting the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. If the diaphragm isn't functioning optimally then it will have major repercussions throughout the body. A diaphragmatic release is a correction aimed at restoring proper motion of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is contacted below the sternum and gently tugged downwards as the patient exhales forcefully.
Deep breathing
This applies to most corrections. Breathing deeply increases intrathecal pressure. The increase in intrathecal pressure helps to 'free up' kinks in the network of surrounding membranes and effectively 'refloat' the brain and brain stem. This is quite evident after engaging in deep breathing exercises; the release of held stress, mental clarity and sharpened vision result from 'refloating' the central nervous system.
Discomfort
Some corrections can cause discomfort or pain. Corrections are always performed in line with what the patient can tolerate. Every measure is taken to ensure that the patient feels safe and informed throughout each treatment.
After treatment 10 minute walk
A ten minute walk is advised after each treatment. Walking, like breathing excites the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Craniosacral treatment seeks to restore optimal tension in the membranes encasing the brain and spinal cord. In other words, the membranous boundaries around the central nervous system will be changed through treatment. A subsequent walk helps to 'lock in' the effects of treatment as cerebrospinal fluid is pumped and circulated inside the newly established membranous boundaries of the central nervous system. If you are travelling long distances for treatment then a ten minute walk is advised every hour or so on your journey home.
Post treatment overhaul
Craniosacral treatment seeks to expedite healing and self-repair in the human body. The healing process will require energy from your body, so you may feel more fatigued than usual in the days following treatment. This is usually most prevalent after the first treatment. There may be some discomfort in the days following treatment as tension throughout your body is changing. Generally speaking, the degree of overhaul required by your body will dictate your body's response to treatment. I always advise to rest as much as possible in the 48 hours after treatment, but to allow a week for the treatment to 'work through'. If you have any reactions to treatment that you are unsure about, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Treatment frequency
Appointments are booked at intervals that allow for each treatment to 'work through' before the next treatment is undertaken. Appointments are usually scheduled every 2 weeks in the initial phase of treatment but will be spaced out further as your symptoms improve. A course of maintenance treatment is usually recommended after the initial phase of treatment. This could be every few months or annually depending upon your requirements.