You are here:
- Home
- Health/Fitness
- Back and Neck Injury/Chronic Pain
- Chiropractors
- about craniosacral therapy and chiropractic
Chiropractors/about craniosacral therapy and chiropractic
Advertisement
Question
Hi I was just wondering;
1) Does chiropractic medicine apply craniosacral therapy ?
2) Do you know the difference between craniosacral therapy and chiropractic medicine?
Thankyou so much!
Dear Dyani,
Yes, some chiropractors utilize cranio-sacral therapy in their practices, but some don't. The techniques is briefly addressed/taught in some schools, but most doctors who utilize cranio-sacral get additional post-doctoral training after they graduate.
Chiropractic is based on the proper movement of the skeletal and muscular systems, and influencing neurological impulses and information by manipulating the spine and other body joints with adjustive techniques. The activation of special receptors in the joint spaces called mechanoreceptors, stimulate the spinal cord and brain thereby reducing pain transmission, increasing proprioceptive information (your bodies awareness of itself in space), affecting both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in addition to higher brain structures and functions. It is actually very complex and multiple reflex arcs in the neurological system can be influenced depending on the location of the adjustment.
Cranio-sacral manipulation is vastly different and is concerned mainly with the meningeal system (the three coverings of the spinal cord and the fluid {CSF} contained within that houses the spinal cord. The outer meningeal covering called the Dura is attached at the inner part of the skull, all the way down the spinal cord, and at the base of the spine at the sacrum and coccyx. By using very small gentle pressure and force, the physician/therapist aims to affect changes in the system.
The cranio-sacral system is said to have its own rhythm, like our heart does, but is separate and not related to pulse or breathing. this rhythm can be altered by trauma etc... and can be re-altered with therapy. Practitioners who can become certified are chiropractors (DC), medical doctors (MD), osteopaths (DO), massage therapists (LMT), physical therapists (PT), and I believe acupuncturists as well. For more information on cranio-sacral therapy, I would suggest that you read the UPLEDGER INSTITUTE website: www.upledger.com. This technique has been largely based on the last 20 years of work of Dr. John Upledger.
Hope this helps your understanding Dyani.
Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net
Related Articles
- Peripheral Nervous System - Definition of Peripheral Nervous System
- Central Nervous System - Definition of Central Nervous System
- Somatic Nervous System - What Is the Somatic Nervous System
- Central Nervous System - What Is the Central Nervous System
- Connecting the Feet, Spinal Cord, and Brain - Reflexology
Answers by Expert:
- Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP
- Dr. Paul Newhart
- Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
- Dr. Brendon J. O`Brien, D.C.
- Gerald Anzalone, D.C.
- David Kulla, DC
- Robert A. Arnone, DC
- Keith E. Biggs, DC
- John Quackenbush DC
- Dr. Timothy K. Durnin
- Dr. Man Tran, Ph.D., D.C., L.Ac.
- Timothy A. Peck, DC
- J.R. Strecker, B.S., D.C.
- Dr. Nekessa Remy
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
Expertise
I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.
Experience
I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net
Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce
Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati
B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College
D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College
C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association
C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians.
*CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.