What is craniosacral therapy?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle manual (hands-on) therapy focusing on enhancing the function of the craniosacral system. The craniosacral system is the system of the membranes and fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) of the central nervous system. As craniosacral therapists we are trained to evaluate the subtle movements of the system in order to locate specific areas of restrictions or limited movement. Once located, we employ gentle, but very specific techniques to help the system return to optimal function. To learn more, or for a list of conditions that typically show improvement with CST visit our Therapies page.

The craniosacral system is a system of the body, just like the respiratory, cardiac, or other systems that we typically know about. The craniosacral system is the system of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It consists of the CSF and the membranes that contain the CSF. The outer most layer is called the dura mater. The function of the CSF is to bring nutrients to, and remove toxins from the brain and spinal cord. The fluid is created by the choroid plexus located in the ventricles of the brain. As the CSF is created there is a slight, but measurable, increase in pressure within the cranial vault (the inner space of the head). As the CSF is absorbed through the arachnoid villi, there is a reduction in the pressure. These pressure changes cause small movements in the bones of the cranium (head).

Craniosacral therapy (CST), Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LDT), Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD), Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM), and many of other hands-on therapies are covered by most insurance companies. These therapies are only covered as part of a complete therapy program.

Michigan law requires physician prescriptions for ALL Physical Therapy (PT) programs. Insurance companies require prescriptions for all PT and Occupational Therapy (OT) programs. Insurance companies will only cover complete therapy programs with an accepted PT or OT diagnosis. This means that individual, single sessions are not covered. A PT or OT evaluation is done on the first visit. A complete program is designed to meet all of your specific needs. This may or may not include certain types of therapies. For example, craniosacral therapy is typically used for a patient with neck pain, but not used for a patient with “tennis elbow”. Your program will most likely include both complementary modalities as well as traditional therapy activities, such as exercise or stretching. Most insurance carriers require a frequency of 2 to 3 visits per week. Most consider less than this amount to be “maintenance” and will often deny payment. PT and OT accepted diagnoses are different for each insurance carrier. Therapy programs may be as short as 2-3 weeks, or as long as 2-3 months. As CSI of MI is an independent clinic, Blue Cross and Blue Shield does not cover OT in this setting. For more information, or to check on insurance questions you can email us using our Contact Us page or call our office.

Physical Therapy mostly focuses on gross motor (large muscle movements), strengthening, balance and walking/gait training. Occupational Therapy focuses more on fine motor (small muscle movements), sensory issues, occupational/job-related activities or Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). OTs tend to work more with upper extremity (arm) activities. There is considerable overlap between the two therapies. As CSI of MI is an independent clinic, Blue Cross and Blue Shield does not cover OT in this setting.

Our staff will be happy to assist you in verifying coverage, co-pays, co-insurance or deductibles. Call our office during regular business hours and they can help you. CSI of MI staff will contact your insurance carrier, however we can only supply you with the information that your carrier provides us. While the information is typically correct, there can sometimes be a lag in reporting accurate deductible amounts on the insurance carriers side. It is helpful if you can let our staff know if you have recently paid portions of your deductible that may not yet be posted by your insurance company.

Costs per session vary on the services rendered. We strive to keep our private pay services consistent with the typical prices of massages in the area. Many clients choose to also incorporate FSM, which will slightly increase the price of the session. Pediatric pricing is available for children 16 years and younger. For the smaller children, 30 minute sessions are also available. Please contact our office to request specific pricing for the services about which you are inquiring.

Phone consultations are available to discuss your specific needs. More conveniently, you can also Contact Us using email. Individual consultations are available in person, but may take a bit longer to schedule. Many times our office staff can assist you with selecting the best fit of therapist and therapy for you. All of our staff are trained in multiple therapies.

Yes, as all of our therapists are trained in multiple modalities/therapies, they can easily blend together different techniques to maximize your benefit from your session. Many clients choose to combine craniosacral therapy and massage therapy, or craniosacral and lymphatic therapies. Our staff can also help to assure that you are scheduled with a therapist that is trained in the modalities that can best help you. The exception to this is Reconnective Healing® sessions or The Reconnection™. These healing sessions are performed using only this approach.

To search for practitioners trained in Upledger craniosacral therapy visit www.iahp.com. For therapists trained in BioDynamic craniosacral therapy visit www.craniosacraltherapy.org. To find a listing of practitioners trained in Frequency Specific Microcurrent visit www.frequencyspecific.com. NEW for 2008, look for our new website and database to help individuals search for Michigan Craniosacral Therapists. To check for therapists personally recommended by our staff, contact us, we would be happy to assist you in any way possible.

The term “integrative therapy” can mean very different things to different people. Here at CSI of MI it means having a large array of therapy options that can be custom tailored to your individual needs. A highly trained practitioner will assess your concerns and needs, then develop a comprehensive therapy program that exactly meets these needs. We pride ourselves on having developed therapy teams, for both Physical and Occupational Therapy, that boast a wide variety of special and expert skills.

CSI of MI Physical and Occupational Therapy Options

• craniosacral therapy
• manual lymphatic drainage
• exercise: traditional, yoga, pilates, core strengthening/stabilization, therapy/swiss ball, feldenkrais exercise, range of motion, postural exercises, PNF
• myofascial release
• strain/counterstrain
• positional release
• visceral manipulation
• frequency specific microcurrent
• iontophoresis
• kinesiotaping
• vestibular rehabilitation
• advanced TMJ techniques
• soft tissue mobilization and shiatsu
• joint mobilations
• feldenkrais techniques
• sensory integration
• gait and balance training
• training in modification of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
• relaxation, guided imagery for stress and pain management