UpClose & Personal - Dr. John Upledger

The hands-on techniques of CranioSacral Therapy rely on the ability to palpate subtle body sensations, especially that of the cerebrospinal fluid as it moves through the craniosacral system. This “craniosacral rhythm” is a key indicator when locating and releasing restrictions in the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

The craniosacral rhythm can be used effectively to gauge the significance of many types of internal physiological events. For instance, it has long been observed that, when a client’s body is involved in a significant process, the craniosacral rhythm comes to a sudden stop. When this happens, we call it the Significance Detector.

Unlike the still point discussed in my previous column in which the fluid seems to gently and naturally come to a rest, with the Significance Detector the sensation is almost as if the fluid has run into a solid obstruction of some kind. In both cases the significant underlying event could be one of self-correction, practitioner-assisted correction, self-discovery or even practitioner-assisted discovery.

Whatever the case may be, the CranioSacral Therapy practitioner can use the Significance Detector to determine when physiological reactions that arise during a session are crucial to the therapeutic process and not merely resistance, or a superficial distraction from the client’s defense mechanism.

Often, when the craniosacral rhythm comes to an abrupt stop, it signifies that the client is in the body position in which a physical trauma originally occurred. At this point it is common for the client to begin receiving internal memories, visualizations, even sounds. When these “therapeutic images” occur, we offer them the chance to transmit their meanings by gently initiating dialogue with them. We do not use a demanding, questioning form of dialogue, but rather a friendly conversational approach that allows the client’s inner wisdom to lead the way. The stops and starts in craniosacral rhythmical activity then allow the practitioner to explore yes-and-no health-related questions in an effort to get to the root of the physiological problem.

Over the decades I have used this system of verification, it has proven to be extremely reliable. It is used and trusted by most practitioners of CranioSacral Therapy at the intermediate level and above. Clearly, it allows each client who receives CranioSacral Therapy to become a teacher for the therapist. Thus, the therapist experiences new adventures every day.

Learn more about CranioSacral Therapy and the Significance Detector. Call The Upledger Institute toll-free: 1-800-233-5880, ext. 92015, or visit www.upledger.com.

Send e-mail to sharon@upledger.com