Healing Journeys with Suzie Daggett
A few weeks ago, I wrote about Craniosacral work from Doctors of Osteopathy. In our community, there are many other practitioners from different modalities that help patients/clients through cranio work. I decided to interview a few of them (there are many others) so we can all understand more about this very subtle yet dynamic healing modality. I interviewed a naturopath, Dr. Greg Weisswasser, a medical doctor, Dr. Sherryl Tomboulian, and Abhi Ktori-Carter, a Registered Cranio Sacral Therapist. My question was what is their approach to Craniosacral work.
Gregory Weisswasser, ND
The goal in my bodywork sessions is to release restrictions thereby improving the body’s function and mobility. My approach is to use hands-on palpation to assess function and movement in the body with the goal of finding and releasing successive primary lesions. The primary lesion is the location that is most significantly restricted and which will generally improve the body’s function when released more than any of the other “tight“ spots. Lesions may result from mental-emotional (ex: stress/abuse) or physical (ex: car accident/surgery) trauma. Craniosacral techniques are effective in improving the mobility and function of the cranial bones, soft tissue and fluid motion in the head, spinal mobility or to remove holding patterns in the body as a result of trauma. Often it is necessary to mix various techniques with craniosacral such as trigger point release, massage, visceral manipulation, stretching, fascial release and so on. I find that as the layers of primary lesions are released my patients gain emotional calmness, improved energy, improved balance, reduced tension, reduced pain and improved mobility. People use a significant amount of energy holding onto emotions and physical traumas. When the primary lesions are released, energy is freed up to be used for healing, immune/endocrine/digestive system function, physical work and mental-emotional-spiritual accomplishment. Therefore there are a wide range of conditions that improve from treatment and almost anyone could benefit from some craniosacral treatment.
Dr. Gregory Weisswasser, ND, Whitewater Naturopathic Medicine
530-271-7123 www.whitewaternaturopathic.com
Sherryl Tomboulian, M.D. Ph.D.
I am cranial academy trained, so I tend to use an anatomical approach to cranial -- looking for assymetricies in the body and trying to help restore the system to a natural state. As one might imagine, cranial treatments can be very effective in areas such as back pain and headaches. Other areas that can have excellent results for some people include treatment of recurrent sinusitis, vertigo, and TMJ. In children crainial can be very useful for recurrent otitis media and ADHD. Cranial is not for every problem or every person. An evaluation of the cranial rhythm can help determine whether a cranial treatment might be useful; a person with a perfectly balanced cranial system may not benefit from cranial work. Another factor is treatment is combining nutritional support or homeopathy with cranial treatment; for example Zinc can be a useful supplement in people whose problems improve with cranial, but for whom the cranial system easily goes out of balance again. Cranial sacral treatment can be a wonderful addition to psychological councelling and emotional release. It is a valuable tool that I use daily as part of my practice.
Sherryl Tomboulian, M.D. Ph.D., The Tree of Life Medical Center, 530-273-7400
Abhi Ktori-Carter R.C.S.T.
There is a mysterious energy and healing wisdom in the craniosacral fluids of the body, called it the Breath of Life by some osteopaths. Once this Breath of Life begins flowing, once that spark is reignited, so much healing can happen. By contacting these core levels of heatlh, Craniosacral Therapy works in a gentle, yet powerful way to relieve trauma and suffering. It is also a wonderful way to deepen our meditation and spiritual practices. It is a journey into the essence of healing -- one which has the potential to lead us to the deepest roots of our being. I was first exposed to Cranio work in India in the eighties. The session brought a very deep relaxation to my body and new sense of self to my mind. The chatter of thoughts drifted away like clouds, leaving a very clear sky. The therapist’s touch was light but very precise. And, it was as though the whole of me was being held in deep respect and acknowledgement of my being. Pains and tensions I had been carrying began to unwind, and I felt a powerful reorganization taking place inside of me. Since my training, I have treated hundreds of people of all ages, from newborns to the very elderly and even some making the transition at the end of their lives with the same reverence given me. What I have observed is that, even though the work affects us all in a variety of ways --depending on our traumas, our ailments and our pains -- our bodies, if listened to with compassion and a meditative approach, will begin to awaken to their own natural healing capacities.
Abhi Ktori-Carter R.C.S.T. 530-362-0526 or 530-265-9464,
www.essencetouch.com
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. |
