Craniosacral therapy
The craniosacral therapy (head-sacrum-treatment) within osteopathy is a holistic and very far-reaching therapeutic method. In the beginning of the 1930s, the American osteopath Dr. W. G. Sutherland discovered that the skull makes rhythmic movements, which continued all the way down to the sacrum. This rhythm become known as the craniosacral impulse or rhythm. It is executed by the entire body. If there are any disturbances in this rhythm, the state of health of that individual will be affected negatively.
I am capable of feeling the subtle craniosacral pulse with my hands. This gives me profound information about the horse’s state of health.
The craniosacral impulse
The craniosacral system has its own individual pulse. This rhythmic movement can be felt anywhere in the body. From the skull (cranium), it flows along the spinal cord, being passed on to connected body parts until it reaches the sacrum and the pelvis. From here it spreads towards the rest of the body. This dynamic of movement is important for the functioning of the skull, the brain, the inner organs and physical structures of our body and so much more. Experienced therapists are able to feel this craniosacral movement and interpret it. Thereby, malfunctions of the body can be located and even treated.
One big system
All components of the craniosacral system are connected to the nervous-, muscular-, skeleton-, vessel-, lymph-, respiratory- and endocrine system. Structural and functional changes in one part of the body can influence the craniosacral system. Likewise, disturbances of the craniosacral rhythm can affect the rest of the body negatively. It takes only one bone that is restricted in its movement and the entire craniosacral system can no longer flow freely. In consequence, the entire craniosacral movement can become unrhythmic or even come to a stop.
The craniosacral therapy
The symptoms, which can arise due to a disturbance within the craniosacral system, as well as the causes that can lead to those disturbances, are diverse. In my work as an energetic horse osteopath, I am able to feel disturbances within the craniosacral system and specifically locate where they come from. With my hands, I can support and influence the craniosacral movement and thereby give the body the opportunity to regenerate and reorient itself.
The craniosacral movement doesn’t only work on a structural level. It also affects the emotional well-being of the horse, especially when bodily tensions are released that corresponded with traumas of the horse’s soul.