Craniofascial Therapy – an overview

This gentle manual therapy uses slow pressure and stretch techniques to assess and release restrictions of connective tissue in the whole body, including the head. The name craniofascial therapy (CFT) was coined in 1992 to better describe the fascial orientation of restrictions and their release. Principles and techniques are derived from applied anatomy, making for a logical, immediate tactile appreciation of body issues.

Also called fascia, connective tissue is distributed in particular ways right throughout the body; for example each muscle is wrapped in fascia at descending levels, and a membrane system inside the head (cranium), called the meninges, provides many physiological functions including adequate biomechanical mobility.

Connective tissue present in the sutures between the cranial bones allows for slight but definite mobility. It is the release of these abnormal tensions of connective tissues that treats the cause of symptoms, by a repositioning of distorted cranial structures, restoring normal balanced tension to the organs, nerves, blood vessels and other structures within.

The body movements of the cranial rhythm can be used to assess and release patterns of restriction. Discovered by the American osteopath William Sutherland, 1872-1954, this mechanism creates movement without muscular action. The effects of this involuntary, cyclical body movement phenomenon can be used to both assess restrictions and also recruited as an internal force to assist with the release of those restrictions. The still point technique derives from this remarkable approach and is worthy of a wider audience.

Dysfunctional patterns of biomechanical tension, commonly resulting from impaired posture and injuries, are perpetuated in the body by fascial mobility restrictions, found at local and systemic levels through palpation. The therapist releases these restrictions with progressive, gentle forces in an interactive way. Tissue mobility is further assessed by interpreting the slow pulsations of the cranial rhythm throughout the body, and modified by appropriate use of the therapist’s hands, like gears applied to a motor. Therapists expand the range and degree of their palpation skills through sensing the degrees of restriction and mobility present in the body as they practise CFT.

As fascia becomes restricted, the body loses suppleness and function in the affected structures. Cranial restrictions can directly cause symptoms and tend to persist without appropriate local and systemic treatment. Elderly, infant and acute cases are particularly amenable to this subtle treatment as CFT does not elicit a protective guarding response.

Tension, pain, neck stiffness, lower backache and many syndromes involving the cranium, such as head pain, tinnitus, recurrent ear infections, voice and taste problems, vertigo, sinusitis, jaw/TMJ dysfunction etc are potentially amenable to successful treatment. CFT is highly effective as a stand-alone or adjunct therapy in the majority of cases, as tight fascia is a common adverse clinical finding.

Malcolm Hiort Australian Craniofascial Therapy School