CranioSacral Therapy – The Path to Holistic Health

-Written by Cherry Cheung(RCST)

CranioSacral Therapy plays a vital role in promoting holistic health. Holistic health is an approach that combines medicine and psychology, emphasizing the close connection between the body, mind, and emotions. However, many people have forgotten that the body itself holds powerful self-healing wisdom, and it’s time to reconnect with that confidence.

When we fall ill or experience pain, most people turn to contemporary medicine for help. These treatments are important because medicine plays a key role in treating diseases, relieving pain, and even saving lives through surgery. However, simply relying on medication or surgery may not always address the root cause of the illness. In today’s healthcare system, patients often don’t have the opportunity to discuss their emotions, beliefs, or mental state with their doctors. Additionally, doctors may not be trained to address these aspects of care. Furthermore, in the highly specialized fields of medicine, although it improves the precision of treatment, it can sometimes lead to a "treat the head for headaches, treat the feet for foot pain" approach, which overlooks the body’s interconnectedness. For example, some people experience headaches as a result of dental work. If we focus only on the headache and neglect the impact that dental alignment might have on the jaw and head structure, we may miss the root cause of the problem. On the other hand, psychological therapy is often separated from physical health treatment, which creates a divide between the two. This fragmented approach makes it difficult for patients to experience true, comprehensive healing.

I believe that combining medical, psychological, and spiritual aspects into holistic therapies is the future of healthcare. This approach not only focuses on the symptoms themselves but also views the patient as a whole—an individual with emotions, memories, and a life history. Through a comprehensive treatment method, we can enhance their overall health and well-being.

During my CranioSacral Therapy studies, one of my classmates, a practicing dentist, shared a profound realization with me. He said that in dental training, dentists are taught to avoid the nerve lines in the jaw, especially the trigeminal nerve in the cranial nerves. However, the training rarely discusses how dental procedures impact the flow of nerve communication, the CranioSacral rhythm, the symmetry of the skull, and the energy flow throughout the body. He lamented, "If I had known earlier how crucial jaw health and the balance of the dental structure are for the whole head, nervous system, and CranioSacral system, I would have been more careful in performing every dental surgery."

This is the concept of holistic health. The adult human body has 22 bones in the skull and face, and 33 bones in the spine, all interlinked. Any change in one part can affect the entire structure and function of the body. For example, changes caused by dental procedures (such as tooth extractions or braces) can leave a lasting impact on the body, affecting overall balance. However, when this dentist became a CranioSacral therapist, he was able to sense through touch the symmetry, tension, and energy flow of the bones, deeply understanding how the body’s experiences impact holistic health.

The good news is that CranioSacral Therapy can help the body recalibrate. It assists in restoring balance to the CranioSacral system, releasing long-held stress and tension, and allowing the body to return to its natural flow. This therapeutic approach not only addresses localized issues but also works on the root causes of health problems, helping people restore harmony and health in mind, body, and spirit.