I have a friend who is into Craniosacral Therapy and I'm wondering is it something a Catholic should avoid? I can't find much on it on the net.
The Women of Grace blog has investigated just about every potentially dodgy or dubious practice out there, it's a very useful resource if you have doubts or questions about any practice or therapy.
You should avoid it because its not a real medical science and trusting a non-qualified stranger with managing your skull, is a terrible idea
This practice reminds me of the claims of reiki, of a spiritual energy around the body which can be tapped into to promote healing. I know the Church condemns reiki; I believe craniosacral therapy might fall into the same camp..
Oh my, I see that website often refers to quakwatch. I used to cringe eons ago when people quoted it, but after the past 3 years, how can people not see the problem with their approach? Just by its name, anyone who gets into their crosshairs is automatically labelled (libelled?) a quack which is not charitable or scientific. It's a pity that a Catholic site would reference it. What does your friend say about cranial sacral therapy BC? If he is practicing it he has studied it and must know a thing or two. I'd be interested to know what he has to say. Where I live, osteopathy is widely accepted and not listed as an alternative therapy that uses energy. It's a practice that can restore alignments through gentle touch, so it's in the same class as massage, chiropractic manipulations etc. A lot of people prefer seeing an osteopath than a chiropractor because they are gentler. I have known loads mothers of newborns and small children who swear it helps with ear, nose and throat problems because it sets alignments right in those areas. I saw an osteopath once for a back problem and she did a visual exam and then a few manipulations that immediately gave me relief - I asked her about her approach and use of energy and she said no energy was involved, but partitionners are very attentive to the body's response.
Many years ago I was recommended a chiropractor for my stiff and painful neck. He was a former GP and a practising Catholic. Helped me greatly with my problems. Some alternative medicine can be helpful. If it entirely fuelled by woo-woo theories then best avoided (reiki). I have my doubts about homeopathy because of the idea that water has a memory, which seems batty. Craniosacral therapy sounds dangerous if the above article is right. Stuff connected with the head and brain is best left to the experts, but if gentle manipulation by someone who knows what they are doing can relieve pain it doesn’t sound iffy. Again, if it doesn’t need woo-woo to work it should be fine. Just my thoughts.
My friend is a highly regarded govt employee Andree and says it brings great relief to stress etc. He doesn't see anything dubious about it.
