Light touch coupled with intent and direction of energy is used to bring the cranial, spinal, and pelvic structured back into balance and to remove blockages that the body's own physiologic forces have been unable to overcome. One of the hallmarks of craniosacral therapy is the use of a very light touch. The amount of pressure used is seldom more than 1 ounce, and is often more on the order of 5 grams the weight of a nickel. By using such gentle pressure, the therapist assists the client's body to self-correct and avoids encountering resistance.

An experiential example can facilitate understanding of how light touch decreases resistance. For example, imagine a hard pull on one of your arms. Your immediate reaction is to resist by holding back against the pull. Thus protecting yourself. The use of light touch is a way of not engaging the body's natural tendency to resist change.

Reliance on the inherent self-correcting mechanism of the body is another of the hallmarks of cranios

acral therapy. This approach relies on the body's own wisdom and desire to move toward homeostasis to guide the treatment session. Treatment is a cooperative effort between the therapist who is trying to help the system work more effectively and the person receiving treatment. For this reason, treating the craniosacral system is not only useful for correcting disease, but also for promoting a high level of wellness.

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