The Dura Mater Plays a Key Role
To understand the way the Cranial Release Technique (CTR) reduces stress and promotes wellness, it is important for practitioners to be knowledgeable about the nature and function of the dura mater -- literally translated as "tough mother."
The dura mater is a tough membrane composed of thick, dense, white, inelastic fibrous connective tissue. It protects the brain and the spinal cord. The dura mater is also linked with spinal nerves extending throughout the body, as the epineurium of the peripheral nerves, a continuation of the dura mater of the central nervous system. The cranial dura is also tied in with the body's entire fascial system, and also with the endocrine system through its relationship to the hypothalamic-pituitary tract.
If there is a distortion of the cranial bones -- or a lack of proper movement at the cranial sutures - the dura matter becomes subject to tensions and stress. This dural stress can be transmitted to spinal segments and the sacrum, which in turn can increase the possibility of spinal misalignment, loss of spinal curves, and structural imbalance.
The Cranial Release Technique promotes wellness by relieving the strain within the cranial-dural system. This helps to release tension in the nervous system and restore proper cerebrospinal fluis flow. Reducing strain on the cranial-dural system also contributes to proper reintegration of the brain hemispheres.
The treatment itself is a very mild one. To the patient the procedure simply feels like a slow and controlled stretching of the muscles in the neck and shounler regions. The treatment takes only a couple of minutes and there are not quick, 'popping' movements of the spine involved with CRT. |
