The Craniosacral Rhythm
In my last article, we introduced craniosacral therapy and the craniosacral rhythm (CSR), the subtle movement that craniosacral therapists work with. Today, I will explore CSR in more detail, look at the current objective evidence of its existence, explore a working theory of what causes it, and introduce a few ways to work with it yourself.
Evidence of the CSR:
Remember the story of Dr. John Upledger’s first experience with CSR? Here, he was charged with holding a structure still during surgery and found that he could not. This rhythm was what he would later call the CSR and became the foundation of craniosacral therapy.
Craniosacral therapists work with the CSR daily and compare how it feels in different body structures.
These are subjective experiences of the CSR, but what about objective measurements?
Through the years, many studies have been done to verify the CSR. Palpation, calipers, infrared markers, and many other methods have been used. Unfortunately, the results from these experiments have not been precise, and even conflict with each other. More recently, a new technique using more updated technology is being used with more definitive results.
In 2020, Thomas Rosenkilde Rasmussen, PhD, MSc, CST-D, published a study showing a measurable, rhythmic movement in the body separate from the pulse and respirations. Sensors were placed on the heads of 50 participants and monitored for 42 minutes. Three distinct rhythmic movements were recorded: the heart rate, the respiratory rate, and a slower movement that averaged about 6.6 cycles per minute. This third movement fits the description of the craniosacral rhythm (also called the primary respiratory mechanism or cranial rhythmic impulse).
Of course, we will need to see the results of this method replicated by others to reinforce this evidence, but CSR is becoming more obvious to those outside the field.
What we think we are feeling:
Upledger craniosacral therapists believe that this measurable movement of the head, which can be felt through the whole body, is caused by a rising and falling in the fluid that bathes our brains and spinal cords - the cerebrospinal fluid. Dr. John Upledger developed a theory about this called the Pressure Stat Model.
In this model, we take our fundamental understanding of the anatomy and physiology of cerebrospinal fluid production and drainage and add a system to monitor and control the levels of this fluid. The level of cerebrospinal fluid must stay in a relatively small range, as too little or too much causes real problems. Pressure receptors within the skull signal the production of more or less craniosacral fluid. This change in the volume of CSF is thought to be the cause of the craniosacral rhythm.
To put it more succinctly, the fluid that circulates through and around our brain and spinal cord creates pressure within the bony walls of our skull and spine. Our body’s management of this pressure level results in a measurable and palpable movement.
How it feels:
The CSR can be felt anywhere on the body, but there are a few places where it is more obvious:
The Feet - Think of your legs as long levers attached to your pelvis. Small movements at your pelvis will feel bigger at your feet. At your feet, the CSR feels like an internal and external rotation that takes around 10 seconds to complete a cycle. You can try feeling this on someone else.
The Head - Try placing your elbows on a surface and gently holding your head in your hands. Now feel the bones of your skull under your palms, lighten your touch, settle your mind and body, and feel. After a while, you may notice your skull widening and narrowing under your hands. It is incredibly subtle, so don’t worry if you can’t feel it. You are alive, so your cerebral spinal fluid is flowing!
Craniosacral therapists will tune into the CSR at these and different parts of your body and notice differences in how clearly they can feel it. Places, where the movement isn’t as well felt or when there is a noticeable difference in that movement, will direct us to areas of your body that need extra support and treatment. The intended goal of therapy is to assist the craniosacral rhythm. This can include many different kinds of treatment or can involve working with the CSR more directly through still points and cranial pumping.
During your treatment, your therapist may induce a pause in your CSR, which we call a still point. When your rhythm resumes, it is often much more robust. The intended results are a deep sense of relaxation followed by more alertness. Still, point inducers are usually recommended as a do-it-yourself treatment between visits. With cranial pumping, the CSR is followed, and a little nudge is given at the end range of motion; once you can feel your rhythm, you may be instructed on how to do this between treatments.
Focusing on one’s CSR rather than the breath is another form of meditation and relaxation.
There you have it: the craniosacral rhythm. Working with this simple, measurable, and palpable body rhythm makes craniosacral therapy what it is. It is also what unites craniosacral therapists. Providers of craniosacral therapy come from diverse backgrounds and with different licenses/training. We each bring our unique skills and knowledge to the treatment table and may use other techniques, but we are all focused on CSR while we work.
I hope you can experiment with feeling your own CSR as well. I’ve found this to be an essential part of my healing process. Please let me know if you are on my table and want help to feel your CSR!
To our health,
Danielle
To find a craniosacral therapist who has received training from the same school as me and who is near you, you can visit Upledger International. You can search by your zip code or city and compare therapists based on their level of training.
References:
Hiort, M, “CRI Measurement - A selective History,” 2017 http://craniofascial.com/cri-measurement-history/
Thomas Rosenkilde Rasmussen, Karl Christian Meulengracht, Direct measurement of the rhythmic motions of the human head identifies a third rhythm, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Volume 26, 2021, Pages 24-29, ISSN 1360-8592, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.08.018.
5minuteschool, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) explained in 3 Minutes - Function, Composition, Circulation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWR3nML_R8Q
Hutton, T, “A Comment on the Relationship of Recent Research on CSF Production and Reabsorption to the Pressurestat Model” Upledger Institute International, 2013 https://www.iahe.com/docs/articles/Relationship-of-Recent-Research-on-CSF-Production-and-Reabsorption-to-the-Pressurestat-Model-2013.pdf?_gl=1*1j0dzvp*_ga*MTE3Mjg5MDI0Ni4xNjY5NjU5NDM3*_ga_2NPCRHNTWG*MTY2OTgyNDI3Mi4yLjEuMTY2OTgyNDMyOS4wLjAuMA.
Sakka, Laurent & Coll, G & Chazal, J. (2011). Anatomy and physiology of cerebrospinal fluid. European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases. 128. 309-16. 10.1016/j.anorl.2011.03.002.
