Cranio Sacral Reflexology: An Exciting New Therapy - December 2011

By Dr. Martine Faure-Alderson

Healing through touch is thousands of years old, and reflexology has been practised for millennia. It is a non invasive treatment which has gained increasing recognition in recent years.

Cranio Sacral Reflexology (CSR) combines reflexology with cranio sacral therapy. Cranio Sacral Therapy was developed about 100 years ago.1 but was given added impetus in the UK following a series of lectures by in 1970 another American osteopath.2 Over the next 3 to 4 years the concept of what is now referred to as Cranio Sacral Reflexology(CSR) was developed by the author as a distinct methodology.3 CSR is a non- invasive treatment, with profound effect on a variety of systems dysfunction, particularly in the sphere of trauma, be it physical as in whiplash, or emotional in origin where tortion of the meningeal membranes enveloping the spinal cord occurs in the same way as if it was a physical blow.

CSR is a therapeutic method which combines the use of pressure on specific areas of the foot, which relate to the 12 cranial nerves, and to the pulse of the cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) which surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The distinction between Cranio Sacral Therapy and CSR is that with the latter, one is accessing the CSF from a point in the foot or the hand. Cranio Sacral Reflexology works in treating trauma and stress related conditions by balancing the distribution of CSF within the four ventricles of the brain.

Pressure applied to the specific points on the feet stimulates and re harmonises the Cranial Rhythm4 - Primary Respiratory Movement (PRM). The movement of CSF can be felt in the feet, as a pulse or a wave and is quite distinct from the pulse of the heart. A rhythmic cycle of six to twelve cycles per minute is the norm for humans of all ages. It can go to twenty five during a fever, and can go as low as two in coma or anoxia. During illness or trauma there will be a variation in the rate of flow.5 Normally this rhythm is felt on the head, but it can equally be felt on the fingers or toes.

Babies who have a difficult birth are very affected by the compression of the cranial bones, namely the fronto – sphenoidal, the occipito – mastoid and the spheno basilar symphisis. Symptoms include crying, restlessness, vomiting, and colic. If untreated these children present at a later age with headaches, digestive problems, lack of concentration, emotional and abdominal pain. Dr Frymann6 examined thousands of children of different ages and found that the symptoms created during birth can extend into teenage and beyond into adulthood. These people fail to reach their full potential, which is a tragedy; given how simple the initial treatment is, if given at the outset.

A recent study in Japan7 shows that stimulation of reflexological areas on the foot, corresponding to the eye, shoulder and small intestine, induced a somatosensory response which could be observed using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This study would appear to confirm what reflexologists have known from observing and successfully treating many patients, that the effects of stimulation of the reflexes in the foot are demonstrable scientifically.

In conclusion, CSR is a leap forward in the application of reflexology. It harnesses the extraordinary potential of the creative brain to bring homeostasis and health through reflexology.

Contact Maria Carr (Western Canada Organizer for CSR courses) at 250-493-0106 or email  OK In Health

References * (1) Sutherland WG. With Thinking Fingers. The Cranial Academy. 1962 * (2) Upledger J.E * (3) Faure – Alderson. Tip to Toe. Clinic of Natural therapies. 1980 * (4) Faure – Alderson M. Total reflexology. Healing art Press. 2008 * (5) Upledger J E. Craniosacral Therapy. Eastland Press 1983 * (6) Dr Viola Frymann * (7) T. Nakamaru, N. Miura, A. Fukushima, R. Kawashima. Somatotopical relationships between cortical activity, reflex areas in reflexology: And functional magnetic resonance imaging study, Neuroscience Letters (2008)

Dr. Martine's Bio: Dr Martine Faure-Alderson has been a holistic therapist for 40 years, and includes cranial osteopathy, reflexology and cranio sacral reflexology, homeopathy, osteopathy, and medical herbalism in her method of practice. In this way she achieves a maximum holistic approach, according to the particular needs of each individual patient. Martine set up the RTTFA School of reflexology in Paris in 1974 and she lectures widely internationally on Cranio Sacral Reflexology (CSR). CSR courses will be offered in Vancouver & Calgary - Dr. Martine Faure-Alderson Website - Email