CranioSacral Therapy
CST was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E.
Upledger (above) following extensive scientific studies from 1975
to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a
clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics. CST is a
gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the
functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral
system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that
surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using a soft touch
generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a
nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral
system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.
By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is
increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability
to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide
range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction,
including:
Migraine Headaches, Chronic Neck and Back Pain,
Motor-Coordination, Impairments, Colic, Autism, Central Nervous
System Disorders, Orthopedic Problems, Traumatic Brain and Spinal
Cord Injuries, Scoliosis, Infantile Disorders, Learning
Disabilities, Chronic Fatigue, Emotional Difficulties, Stress and
Tension-Related Problems, Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue
Disorders, Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ), Neurovascular
or Immune Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post-Surgical
Dysfunction, |
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Dear Farid,
Cranio-Dental Orthopedics
Dentists and Osteopaths are working together more and more
nowadays. This makes great sense, because there is a fundamental
relationship between proper, balanced movement in the face and
mouth and in the rest of the body. In other words, there is a body
attached to the head! The connection between the position of the
teeth when the jaw is closed (OCCLUSION) and how osteopathy can
influence this by working on the head and body as a whole is very
complicated.
Most people think that the skull and the face are made up of a
bones that do not move. From the observation and work of skilled
osteopaths, however, it is clear that the head is instead a
dynamic and mobile structure. All the bones in the cranium are
designed to move, or "breathe" slightly - the primary respiratory
mechanism or PRM. The sutures joining the bones together are like
movable hinges, allowing a gentle spreading; this gives a pumping
action to the system, without which it will not work as it should.
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Distortion of
the Jaws (MALOCCLUSION)
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In my practice I am concerned with the size, shape and
relationship of your teeth so that they fit together properly.
Underdeveloped or distortion of one or both jaws and therefore the
teeth are well recognized in dentistry. Corrections must be done
directly by developing the arches and straightening the teeth by
various kind of braces. We need our jaws to fit together well to
have a healthy gums and teeth. The joints and the soft tissues
that work the jaws also depend on this. If all is as it should be,
we can talk, chew and grind without causing any problems. The
ligament that attaches the teeth to its socket is called the
periodontal ligament. It is highly sensitive and richly supplied
with nerve fibers. This is how we are aware of even the smallest
variation of pressure on each tooth remember what it feels like to
have a piece of celery string caught between your teeth! This
sensitivity shows how important it is to have even contact between
the teeth. |
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Signs of
Malocclusion
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There are a number of clear signs and symptoms that show problems
in how a person’s jaw fits together. Among these are heavily worn
teeth, shiny spots or grooves on fillings and teeth that are not
straight in the jaw. The patient may also have had problems with
broken teeth or fillings; clenching or grinding of teeth
(especially at night); white lines in the mouth; and scalloped
edges to the tongues. Malocclusion can begin with a difficult
birth, inherited problem of too many or too few teeth, a blow to
the face or jaw or poor diet can also create difficulties. Even
where it looks like a child may have inherited some problems,
though, there are likely t be other factors that could benefit
from osteopathic and dental treatment. Ideally, treatment should
begin as soon as possible after the birth. |
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Birth Trauma and
Malocclusion
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Osteopathic work with the primary respiratory mechanism has
further recognized the significance of such trauma. The process of
birth can sometimes compress the head, and such babies may have
asymmetric faces and unusually high palates. Habits such as
breathing through the mouth, thumb- sucking, tongue-thrusting,
biting the lips, sleeping only on one side of the face and early
or late loss of baby teeth are signs of difficulties that must be
treated as soon as possible. Osteopath and your dentist can work
together to remedy the situation. If the compression are treated
early enough by an Osteopath the results may be twofold: immediate
release of the restriction; and gradual remolding of the
abnormalities in the structure of the jaws. The best insurance
against future malcurvature of the spine and malocclusion is when
the osteopath removes the restrictions in the newborn that prevent
the normal movement of the primary respiratory mechanism (PRM) in
the head. |
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