CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive manipulative technique. Seldom does the therapist apply pressure that exceeds five grams or the equivalent weight of a nickel. Examination is done by testing for movements in various parts of the system. Oftentimes, when movement testing is done, the test has removed the restricting obstacle. The system is then able to complete its self-correction.
Experienced clinicians are able to palpate the craniosacral motion anywhere on a patient's body.
Valuable examination information can be gained very quickly by palpating the craniosacral motion for rate, amplitude, symmetry and quality. The parts of the craniosacral system that can be easily palpated by the hands of the therapist are the bones of the skull, sacrum and coccyx, because they attach to the membranes that enclose the cerebrospinal fluid. This cerebrospinal fluid is filtered out of the blood in a dynamic feedback loop. The system then acts like any semi-closed hydraulic system with pressures building as the amount of fluid increases, forcing the fluid to move up and down the spinal cord. When the fluid moves, the membranes containing the fluid moves, normally at a rate of six to twelve cycles per minute.