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S craniosacral therapy available In Rochester Rochester Holistic Arts offers Craniosacral therapy, a gentle, hands-on alternative medicine procedure for evaluating and enhancing the function of the craniosacral system, a physiological system surrounding the brain and spinal cord. "Craniosacral therapy, which serves as a core function of the entire body's health, is usually performed by osteopaths, chiropractors and massage therapists," says owner Nicholas Leshley, who graduated from Alternative Healing in 2003, taught there the following year and continues his education not only in cranosacral therapy, but reflexology, myofacial release and Thai massage. "It is a variation of Chiropractic and Osteopathic medicine" he adds, "and involves both gentle massage and manipulation of the bones of the head, spine and pelvis. This increases the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which can help with a wide range of disorders and physical disabilities, including in some cases, spinal cord injury." "Craniosacral therapists," he explains, "work on the link between the fluid in the head and the sacrum. There is a rhythm to the fluid flowing between these areas that can be detected like
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a pulse. Balancing the cerebrospinal fluid normalizes, balances and eliminates obstructions (blockages) in various systems throughout the body. With obstructions removed, the body can function in a healthy manner." A typical craniosacral therapy session is performed with the client fully clothed and lasts from 30 minutes to an hour. The therapist will use a light touch, equivalent to a nickel’s weight, to feel the rhythmic motion of the cerebrospinal fluid within the craniosacral system–then follow with a series of appropriate steps suitable for each client. "Most clients," Nicholas says, "find a deep sense of relaxation during and after the treatment session." Craniosacral therapy can be used to help ease stress in the body; improve physical movement; help relieve headaches, neck and back pain; TMJ; chronic fatigue; poor coordination; eye problems; depression, hyperactivity and ADD; as well as problems with the central nervous system, the immune system, the endocrine system and many other conditions. Rochester Holistic Arts is located at 118 Terry, Rochester. Craniosacral therapy sessions are scheduled by appointment only and can be booked online. For more information, visit: RochesterHolisticArts.com or call 248-895-5064. Readers of Natural Awakenings are eligible for a $10 discount by mentioning this article. See ad page 43.
Oakland, Macomb, Livingston & St. Clair, MI
cientists at England’s University of Manchester have confirmed how some people suffering from chronic pain might benefit from meditationbased therapies. They concluded that people that are more advanced in meditation practices (up to 35 years) are likely to anticipate and experience pain less than less-advanced meditators or non-meditators. “Meditation trains the brain to be more present-focused, and therefore to spend less time anticipating future negative events,” comments Christopher Brown, Ph.D., who conducted the research. When testing the pain tolerance of study participants using a noninvasive laser, the researchers noted unusual activity during anticipation of pain in part of the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain known to be involved in controlling attention and thought processes when potential threats are perceived, but more study is needed. Participants had a diverse range of experiences with various meditation practices, spanning from months to decades. All of them perform some form of mindfulness meditation—such as that which is the basis of the MindfulnessBased Cognitive Therapy recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for recurrent depression, because up to 50 percent of people with chronic pain experience depression. “The importance of developing new treatments for chronic pain is clear,” says Brown. “Forty percent of people who suffer from chronic pain report inadequate management of their pain problem.”