Healing Journeys with Suzie Daggett
Cranio Osteopathy is a very subtle yet dynamic healing modality. If you have experienced this work, you might wonder as I did, how such a simple, hands on, gentle, non-evasive treatment can do anything to improve your breathing, aches and pains. It really is quite effective and soothing to discover that your body can correct itself through cranio work. Osteopathy was founded by Civil War surgeon Dr. Still, as he observed the best way to fight disease was to naturally stimulate the bodies immune system. At the turn of the century, Dr. Sutherland, DO, found a subtle body pulsation in the cranio fluid which he called the “Breath of Life”. He felt it was a bridge between anatomy, physiology and energy medicine. In Nevada County, we have several DO’s or osteopathic doctors (a physician who takes a whole person approach to medicine) who have specialized in Cranial Osteopathy – adding five more years to their training. I asked them this question:
What is your approach to craniosacral work and how do your patients benefit from work?
Dan Allen:
Craniosacral Work means many things to many people. For me, it refers to a system of understanding and a philosophic approach to working with the human living system. The human body is extremely sensitive and complex. We all start out as tiny drops of goo held in absolute geometric perfection. As our tiny bodies grow through the many stages of embryological development, we continue to expand outward in all directions. Even before the bones are actually formed there is internal motion. A gentle slow expanding and relaxing motion permeates through the entire living structure. This inherent motion is essentially the difference between the living body and the purely material substance of the physical world. As our body grows, we fill out into our own unique form and body shape. Each experience we encounter, from the shape of our mother’s pelvis to the last time we slipped on the ice, has an impact in our developing life experience. Every moment of our life, our body is gently expanding and relaxing, keeping all of the living fluids actively circulating. The impacts of life experiences may create a turbulence or a lock up in this gentle life motion. This then leads to stagnation of the living fluids and a continued break down into disease. Keeping this whole living body in view, craniosacral work directly feels the living motion. All parts of our body deserve to life fully, full of life forces and free fluid motion. Any time a body is not functioning fully and freely is the right time for Cranial Work.
Daniel M. Allen, D.O. 530-478-5770 cranialwork.org
Veronica Daggett:
As a Doctor of Osteopathy, I am a fully licensed physician and specialize in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, which uses hands-on treatment to change a person’s physiology and restore health. Health has a distinct feel that an experienced osteopath recognizes; it is when all of the tissues and cells of the body are functioning together in harmonious motion. This requires a highly developed sense of touch, and a thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology. These skills are developed over years of study and practice. Cranial Osteopathy is a special understanding of the central nervous system and its inter-relationship with the body as a whole. More advanced studies include Biodynamic Osteopathy. Treatment using this approach is directed by the wisdom of the health within the patient. I use my instinct and intuition, stay present in the moment, and wait and see what unfolds. When I treat a patient, I use gentle techniques which are applied with reverence and awareness. I may work anywhere on the body, and the focus is always on the patient as a whole. The benefit of this approach is that your own self-healing capacity will be more effective. You will often feel deeply relaxed and have a general sense of well-being. Osteopathy can help virtually any condition, and is appropriate for people of all ages, from infancy to old age. Amazing results are often realized with the combination of osteopathy and some simple life style choices, such as nutrition, rest, movement, and reflection on what is important and meaningful to you.
Veronica E. Daggett, D.O., (530)265-2425
Stephanie Nani:
A Doctor of Osteopathy is a fully licensed physician whose training includes medicine and surgery as well as extensive training in hands–on manipulations as a treatment method to improve health and well being. Many osteopaths function as family physicians or provide care within various medical specialties. Some however, have pursued additional training in biodynamic osteopathy (sometimes called cranial osteopathy). Biodynamic osteopathy is a very specific approach within the osteopathic profession, which recognized that the body has a natural tendency toward health. It seeks to bring balance to body structure and function that has been altered by stress, injury or disease. I begin by observing that the patient is constantly in motion, as if being breathed by life Itself. I watch while this breath enters and brilliantly creates human form and function. This is not just an idea, but, a very real and palpable experience. By simple observation of this dynamic process and its relationship to the whole patient, space is created for the body to heal itself and transform injury or disease into health. I see the patient relax into a place where they begin to automatically shift and self correct. At times, we must use very subtle manipulation of the body to assist in this process of self correction. Biodynamic osteopathy is a very subtle, yet profound method of treatment that focuses on transformation of the whole patient. It requires an understanding of human anatomy and physiology and relies heavily on a foundation in western medicine.
Stephanie Nani, D.O. 530-478-1911
Healing Journeys is a column written by Suzie Daggett for the Grass Valley Union newspaper. Suzie interviews a variety of health practitioners most Fridays in the Wellness section. Click here to read past articles. Enter "Suzie Daggett" in the search box to get listing of all articles. |
