healingways
CranioSacral
Therapy
A gentle, yet
powerful,
by Linda Sechrist
form of healing
D
avid Tomlinson is a licensed massage therapist who
recently, CST has been opened up for those with no medical
teaches the first and second levels of CranioSacral
training because its gentle manipulations do not pose a threat
Therapy (CST) at The Upledger Institute, founded in
to the body.
1985 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, specifically to teach
Katy O’Gee of O’Gee Therapy, in Christiansburg and
this innovative approach to health. He believes that given
Roanoke, explains that CST practitioners listen with their
the escalating costs of health insurance, CST can provide an
hands to the slow pulsations of the craniosacral system. With
excellent path of preventative maintenance.
a soft touch, equivalent to the weight of a nickel, they explore
Of course, it’s best to have the treatment done on a
any fascial restrictions throughout the body of their client,
consistent basis. “It’s the equivalent of regularly maintain-
who rests, fully-clothed, in a supine position. Effects of the
ing a car,” advises Tomlinson, whose teaching is in demand
treatment can be wide-ranging, affecting the musculoskeletal,
throughout the world.
nervous, cardiovascular and immune systems, as well as the
“CST works because it empowers people to take their
body’s organs, connective tissues and energy systems. It works
health back into their own hands,” he says. “We are tapping
to release deeply-held physical and psychological patterns
into the body’s internal wisdom, the inherent resource that
held within the body. Most sessions last about an hour.
allows the body to heal itself.”
Tomlinson reasons that CST can address virtually any
Osteopathic physician John E. Upledger created this
problem because, in the body, everything is connected. “We
gentle, hands-on therapy based on his research studies at
don’t approach the therapy with an agenda,” he notes, “be-
Michigan State University between 1975 and 1983. Intrigued
cause everyone stores their traumas in the body in different
by the slow, pulsating movements
locations, and individuals heal
within the membranes covering the
differently.”
brain and spinal cord that he first
O’Gee is an advanced
observed while assisting a neuro-
CrainoSacral Therapist and has
surgeon with a surgical procedure
been doing CRT since 1990.
on the neck, Upledger went on to
“I’ve been trained in many differ-
dedicate his years as a professor of
ent modalities for healing since
biomechanics at the university to
1988, but the most profound
exploring the head, the spine and
results come from CST. I have
the body’s fascial tissue.
worked on infants, accident
Upledger worked in concert
cases and Viet Nam veterans.
with a team of anatomists, physi-
CST helps go to the source of the
ologists, biophysicists and bioen-
injury and also heals the emo-
gineers and wound up with breakthrough insights into the
tions and thoughts associated
function of the craniosacral system by focusing his studies
with the problem. This allows harmony and health on all
on the dural membrane that covers the inside of the cranium
levels” says O’Gee.
and spinal canal. Today, CST practitioners use Upledger’s
Contact Katy O’Gee of O’Gee Therapy at 540-980-6361.
method to evaluate and treat malfunctions of the brain and
spinal cord that generally are poorly understood. More
For in-depth information on Cranial Sacral Therapy,
visit Upledger.com.
22
Southwestern Virginia
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