By Rick Halle-Podell, Licensed Massage Therapist, Founder of Massage Therapy of Oak Park

Craniosacral therapists often induce what is called a “still point” in order to “reset” the nervous system. I like to think of this like shutting down and restarting a computer. Occasionally, our computers need a break. They begin to run slowly due to all the excess information they have been processing. Simply shutting down the computer and rebooting the system software can create space and increase efficiency. This is precisely what a still point does.

Finding Your Still Point

Lie down in a comfortable position with you hands behind your head. Close your eyes and breath in and out. As the cerebrospinal fluid enters and exits the cranium, the head slightly widens and narrows. You may begin to notice warmth, stillness or movement in your hands.

By holding your hands in a static position you will begin to inhibit this movement. A still point is induced when the rhythm of the craniosacral system stops. The result is a resetting of the nervous system and a deep sense of relaxation.

It is not necessary for you to be fully aware of the cerebrospinal fluid or the craniosacral rhythm for these effects to take place. The simple act of lying down, holding the head and breathing slowly can have amazing therapeutic results.

Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy strengthens a body’s ability to take better care of itself. It can help individuals cope with a range of illnesses, pain and dysfunction, including:

• Migraines and headaches
• Chronic neck and back pain
• Motor-coordination impairments
• Stress and tension-related problems
• Infantile disorders
• Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries
• Chronic fatigue
• Alternative treatment for scoliosis
• Central nervous system disorders
• Emotional difficulties
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome
• Learning disabilities
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Orthopedic problems

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