Article as printed in Bridle & Bit, November 2003
Equine
Wellness from Stem to Stern
By Robin Perkins
For years, craniosacral therapy has seen success in humans for ailments from brain/spinal cord injuries and migraine headaches to emotional difficulties. Craniosacral therapy has been effective in improving the function of the central nervous system, eliminating the negative effects of stress, strengthening resistance to disease and enhancing overall health. Recently it has found as much success in the equine world.
The
works of Dr. William Sutherland DO, Dr. John Upledger DO
and Dr. Hugh Milne contribute to formulation of craniosacral therapy as it is
now. Using osteopathy and energy work, it
taps into the natural self-corrective abilities of the body.
By working with fluids, fascia, and muscles, it is able to affect a
change in the craniosacral membrane system that connects the skull to the
sacrum, from stem to stern.
Craniosacral therapy
influences the central nervous system, immune system, endocrine system and the
visceral organs via the autonomic nervous system.
Conditions that have shown
beneficial responses include:
·
Head injuries and traumas
·
Lameness
·
TMJ (Temporal Mandibular Joint
Dysfunction)
·
Colic
·
Blocked tear ducts
·
Castration
·
Cribbing
·
Spinal injuries
·
Hind end injuries
·
Emotional problems
Between the brain and the skull resides a membrane, like an envelope, filled with cerebrospinal fluid produced in the four ventricles of the brain. Within this craniosacral membrane system, the cerebrospinal fluid circulates around the brain and the spinal cord all the way down to the sacrum attaching at different locations along the way to deliver nutrients. It acts like a shock absorber for any blow to the head or spine. As the brain produces the cerebrospinal fluid, pressure builds up and when it gets to a certain level proprioceptors tell the system to stop production and to release the nutrients through the attachments, hence the pressure decreases and the process begins again. This increase and decrease in pressure is called the cranial rhythm.
Using light touch and
specific hand positions, the practitioner perceives and interprets a very
discreet movement of cranial rhythm, sensing
where there is healthy movement or lack of movement.
| The specific hand
positions remind me of the Vulcan Mind Meld and actually, the sensation is what
I would imagine that would feel like. With
direct intention, I ask the horse for permission to enter and mentally move
through the cranium and down through the spinal cord, smoothing the membrane and
encouraging a healthy flow. With
some horses, I feel like my heart melts and pours into his body instantly and
with others it takes a little while to gain
entrance as if he is not sure about me and what I am doing.
|
|
The movement of the cerebral
spinal fluid within the dural tube can become restricted because of trauma,
producing an imbalance in the horse's body because nutrients are not making the
full trip and some parts of the body are starving. Thus, these restrictions
can affect the horse's performance and
behavior.
Some horses
will have a strong, even rhythm at the cranium but at the sacrum or at the feet the rhythm is weak or
non-existent. Using the hand
positions, I find the restriction causing this through the process of
elimination. Once found, I picture
that part of the dural tube or the specific bones or organs that are beneath my
hands and I smooth and encourage healthy operation.
Trauma to the
body is stored in cell memory of the tissues until released.
Dr. Upledger refers to this phenomenon as an energy cyst; Dr. Milne refers to it as an archaic wound’.
I believe that each cell has an intelligence, certainly not so
sophisticated as to be able to solve a math problem, but enough to know what it
needs and to fulfill those needs. With
direct intention, I mentally ask the cell tissues to remember, reminding it to
use the body’s self-correcting ability to return to optimum performance.
By connecting the
electromagnetic properties of my energy with that of the horse, we work together
to release these
restrictions in the system restoring a healthy cranial rhythm.
Having come
from a classical dance background, I have most affinity with the muscles and
while I am holding a specific hand position, I will have a sensation that I feel
does not belong to me. I may feel
tightness in my hamstrings and feel the need to stretch them out. I may feel like my neck needs to be worked on or may feel
like something is poking into my back. Later
in the session, I will learn from the horse’s physical reactions that he
indeed needs a good massage at that particular spot.
|
|
During a craniosacral session, I watch
for signs of the tissue releasing, such as licking and chewing, yawning, or
stomach gurgling. The horse may
lower his head or shift his weight around on the back feet.
I may notice a change in the respiratory rhythm and softening of the eyes
and ears. He may heave a deep sigh
or blow. |
Grateful for the success of craniosacral therapy for humans, horse owners can look forward to affecting a positive change in equines as well. Increased energy and relief from pain are just a few benefits of craniosacral therapy that will improve performance.
Author’s Byline:
Robin Perkins is a certified equine massage therapist and
equine craniosacral therapist for Performance Equine Sports Massage, http://www.massagehorses.com
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Tuning In by E. Bailey Tune, LMT
