FAQs about Cranio Sacral Therapy

        Cranio Sacral Therapy

                                                                                 with John Dalton

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 Frequently asked questions about cranio sacral therapy.
What actually happens in a treatment session?
Most people are pleased to discover is that it's not necessary to remove any clothing for treatment. The first time I see you I will take a comprehensive case history. Then you lie down fully clothed and I put my hands on your body in different places. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we're silent. There is no pushing, adjusting or manipulating your body into a set or 'correct' position. There is no intrusive probing into your past. The contact is very gentle and people often fall asleep during treatment.

How long does a treatment session last?
Anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on what your body needs on the day. Less time for children depending on how long they can lie still for. Your average 2yr old won't lie down at all so I treat them as they play on the floor.

How many times will I need to come for treatment?
That depends on what you are coming for. The longest I've seen someone for was every week for 3 years. The shortest was one session. Generally speaking a treatment program runs for about 10 to 20 weeks. Children generally take less time. Treatment happens once a week and that point is important, any longer than weekly intervals and the whole thing becomes less effective and generally takes longer.

Will I need to keep coming back for 'maintenance' treatments?
No. Once you're finished, you're finished for good. When you understand that cranio sacral therapy helps trauma release from your body, then it makes sense that once restrictions are released in this way, they are gone for good. It's as simple as getting a big piece of cellophane and scrunching it into a ball and then assisting it to unravel itself.
Once it has unravelled itself, there's no need to 'maintain' its state of unravelled-ness, if you catch my drift.

Can I claim you on my private health fund?
Probably not. The official line from all the health funds on cranio sacral therapy is no. Having said that some of the people I have treated have been able to claim it. So it seems to be at the case officers discretion.

If what you are doing is so effective, why doesn't the government subsidise my treatment?
I couldn't agree more. I'm not a political type of person at all. So it's not an area I have focused on. What I have focused on is becoming expert at what I do.

When will I begin to see results?
Often you can feel the benefits immediately. If it takes longer you will generally see enough improvement after 4 weeks to know that it's going to work.

How did cranio sacral therapy originate?
People have been putting their hands on each other's heads for the purpose of healing for, yonks!
The first scientific analysis was made in the 1930's by an osteopath called William Sutherland. He recognised the importance of cranial bone mobility and the detrimental effects cranial restrictions had on the whole body. From his findings he developed cranial osteopathy.

In the 1970's, Dr John Upledger, an osteopathic surgeon, continued and deepened Sutherland's work. He shifted the focus from the cranial bones to the membranes and cerebro spinal fluid of the body. He called what he was doing cranio sacral therapy and I think I've almost forgiven him for coming up with such a terrible name.

'So, Cranial-psycho therapy that sounds interesting.'

There has been a lot of cross pollination between the different schools and styles of cranio sacral therapy. Like anything that is unsupported and marginalised, there is a lot of differences between the many schools teaching cranio sacral therapy around the world. Differences in philosophical approach, quality of training and quality of assessment.

It is practiced throughout the world today by many different kinds health care professionals, including dentists and doctors. It continues to be refined and enriched by the practitioners and the schools that teach it.

So what can it help with?
The short answer is, lots of things. Have a look at the conditions page to see what I mean. If you don't see the condition you are interested in on the list drop me an email to get more information.

My Patients Say This:

'When I first came to see John in early 2006 I was feeling so down and totally out of hope for recovery.

I had been sick for more than two years with almost no sign of recovery whatsoever. I had seen all kinds of doctors (mostly neurologists) and I had even had my head scanned.

Further, I had seen a lot of chiropractors and therapists, including other cranio sacral therapists.

I suffered heavily from dizziness, head aches, lack of ability to concentrate and a general fatigue which made it impossible for me to do anything without getting tired and feeling totally worn out.

However, all of this changed radically when I went to see John. Already after the first session I felt significantly better the following week. I was amazed and my condition just kept getting better and better over the next 4-5 months until I was almost 100% okay.

Today, I experience only very insignificant fatigue when I work extremely hard. But I guess that’s even pretty normal, so I think it is fair to say that I have fully recovered.

Thank you very much for this, John!! And to all you guys out there of course there are no guarantees when it comes to illness, but you have also got a chance!

And John’s way of doing things may very well work for you!

My case is a very good example of that.'

A. E. -
Lawyer - Denmark.

'Dear John,
This is a letter to say thank you. When I came to see you I can't say I had any great trust in you or cranio sacral therapy either. But I knew that my bi-polar disorder was quite literally threatening my life and I needed help. You gave me that help and I can only say how grateful I am to you.

I never thought I could ever live a 'normal' life, but now I do, and it's thanks to you. (Hey, that's poetry!)
Thanks, John.'

Carla Read -
Brisbane, Australia.


'THANKS A MILLION.
John,
Just a few lines to thank you for the help and treatment you have given me throughout my illness. You not only helped me but you gave me encouragement.

The medical profession gave up on me whereas you didn't.

You saved me from going for an operation and for that I am truly greatful.
Best wishes for the future. '

Heather Mitrovic - Brisbane, Australia.

'I first came across John's healing sessions while recovering from major brain surgery. Thankfully I am now fully recovered and I know that John was a key in that recovery providing a fundamental building block of support and healing strength.

The beauty of John's healing is that it encompasses the whole person, not just the physical and he works with an amazing sense of humour, lightness and love.'

C. Delaney, Risk analyst - London.

'The quality of my life in many areas has improved immensely and the layers of healing that John helped me through continue to have a beneficial effect on my health and my life.'

D. Crowley. - Pharmacist - Cork, Ireland.

'I had Cranio Sacral Therapy for severe pain in my neck and shoulders. During the treatment I experienced a state of deep relaxation and wonderful healing.

My neck and shoulder pain is gone and many other little complaints disappeared. My health has improved greatly, I am feeling more secure and my energy level has increased beyond my wildest dreams.'

M.T. Marsh. Secretary - Galway, Ireland.

'When I first attended John Dalton I was suffering from high blood pressure, irregular heart beat and had not slept properly for approximately two months. Although initially sceptical, after the first session I was quite convinced that it was effective.

My sleep pattern immediately improved and my chest pressures eased.

The power of this treatment has been that it did not just cure the physical and most obvious symptoms but continued on to help me cure the emotional and more subtle problems which lay at the core of everything.'

Tony Gallery, Computer Analyst - Geneva, Switzeraland.

'I was in a car accident, receiving serious head injuries and was in a coma for three days. When I first saw John I couldn't co-ordinate my eyes and had double vision. I had memory loss and poor concentration.

I was amazed by John's sensitivity. A few days after my first treatment my eyes came back into line and have been perfect ever since, my mental abilities and my energy steadily improved.'

Kathy Kennedy, Acupuncturist - Cork, Ireland.

'I experienced Cranio Sacral Therapy as a powerful way of accessing the wisdom of the body. It brought me in touch with areas of myself that analytical work could not reach.'

B. Moylan, Psychotherapist - Galway, Ireland.

Copyright John Dalton 2008