Once again, a therapy used with great success on people is finding a place in the horse barn.  CranioSacral Therapy was developed by Dr. John Upledger, an osteopathic physician and surgeon, in the 1970s.  This a hands-on therapy gently works with the connective tissue of the body to release restrictions from current or previous injuries that can cause shortened muscles, tendons and ligaments, restricted range of motion, pinched nerves and a host of other problems that can be very frustrating to rehabilitate.

CranioSacral Therapy can be used with good success on a wide range of problems including, but not limited to, shoulder injuries, leg injuries, shin splints, joint compression problems, restricted hip movement, shortened muscles anywhere in the body, blows to the head or body, pulled muscles, strained ligaments and tendons, and problems resulting from poorly fitting tack.  It also combines nicely with other therapies such as massage, chiropractic, nutritional supplements, etc.

When any animal injures itself, connective tissue is involved.  Connective tissue encases each muscle, sheathes every nerve, forms ligaments and tendons.  When an injury occurs, the connective tissue fibers in that area respond by shortening and thickening, immobilizing the area to prevent further damage; this is called splinting.  And when connective tissue remains tight, it interferes with nerve impulses, circulation of blood and lymph, and the function, strength and balance of muscles.   CranioSacral Therapy aids the body in restoring the connective tissue to its normal healthy state by using gentle techniques to release the underlying restrictions.

The practitioner will begin with an assessment of the horse’s body, palpating to find areas of restriction.  Because trained practitioners can feel where these areas are with their hands, one can get a very accurate picture of where the restrictions are, even without knowing a horse’s history.  This can be very useful when you are the horse’s second or third owner and may not know if he was previously injured or where!  The practitioner will then begin working directly with the tissue, helping the body to regain normal function.

CranioSacral Therapy techniques are quite different than massage or other forms of bodywork and use a very light touch.  Force in excess of five grams (the weight of a nickel) can recruit muscle resistance, which hinders the movement and manipulation of the connective tissue.  Therapists are trained to begin with this five gram threshold, allowing the connective tissue to stretch and regain its former elasticity.  Because the work is so gentle, even horses that are in pain respond well.  This is another example of where less is more!  While both old and new injuries respond to these light touch techniques, it is helpful to work with injuries as soon as possible to aid in quicker healing and to prevent compensatory problems arising secondary to the original injury.  You should begin to see results within three or four sessions for most types of injuries and may see improvement sooner.

There is also a well-documented immune system response to CranioSacral Therapy.  It is not uncommon to see a fever lowered by two or three degrees in response to treatment.  It can also be used to calm ‘pre-performance jitters’ as it tends to have a balancing effect on the nervous system.

Practitioners may also recommend that riders have a few sessions too.  Restrictions at the knees, hips, shoulders and wrists will all affect the fluid body communication between horse and rider.  All of those old falls, sprains, spinal compressions (read learning to trot!), muscle tension patterns, whiplashes and “itises” affect the rider’s body and also the ease with which the horse and rider can communicate.  This can have an impact for both competitive and pleasure riding.

To find a Listing of practitioners in your area, the simplest way is to look up the Upledger Institute website at www.upledger.com and click the link called Find A Practitioner.  Currently there are over three hundred Canadian CranioSacral practitioners listed on the web site with the courses each has completed.  The equine course abbreviation is ECSI.  If no practitioners in your area specialize in working with animals, you may find a qualified regular practitioner who would be willing to come out to the barn.  There is a fair degree of cross-over between working with people and animals.  There are also Upledger Equine CranioSacral courses offered through Equinology being taught in Edmonton AB, Toronto ON, Silverado CA, and Surrey England for 2002.

Linda Gelaude is a practitioner of CranioSacral Therapy and a partner in The Body Works!  She lives in Chemainus on Vancouver Island BC and is scheduled to Teacher Assist at the May 2002 ECSI course in Silverado CA.  She can be reached at linda@thebodyworks.net or 1- 877- 850- 2022.