'TOUCH' documentary showcases craniosacral therapy

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- To the uninitiated, craniosacral therapy (CST) appears mysterious.

To its worldwide legion of devotees, it's a marvelous -- and often seemingly miraculous -- way to alleviate physical, neurological and/or emotional pain.

And the de facto capital of CST is Palm Beach Gardens, Florida -- where the late osteopathic surgeon Dr. John Upledger founded the Upledger Institute to teach the touch-based healing modalities he developed in the 1970s and 1980s.

As described by the institute, "CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system -- comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system."

According the institute's website, CST can help alleviate a vast array of maladies, ranging from migraines, chronic pain, autism and traumatic brain injuries to fibromyalgia, scoliosis, attention deficit disorder and PTSD, among many others.

To coincide with April being Craniosacral Awareness Month, a new documentary -- "TOUCH, The Healing Legacy of Dr. John E. Upledger" -- was released online this week. The documentary features a diverse sampling of folks who say CST transformed their lives and/or the lives of loved ones.

One of the people featured will be familiar to South Floridians: former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams.

Williams has been a passionate disciple of CST since he discovered it in 2006 while playing in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts.

"I noticed one of our team trainers doing the treatment on a teammate. It didn't look like she was really doing anything -- just lightly rubbing his neck. I got curious, so she started explaining CST to me," recalls Williams.

Then she began treating him.

In contrast to typical massage modalities, CST recipients stay fully clothed during sessions. By softly touching various regions -- or "listening with their hands" -- the practitioner evaluates the recipient's "craniosacral rhythm" and then uses soft-touch techniques to release restrictions in any soft tissues that might be impacting the craniosacral system.

"It's a very subtle -- and relaxing -- experience," says Williams.

The next game Williams played in, he noticed an immediate physical and cognitive difference: "The action slowed down around me but my reflexes were quicker. I had a really good game and felt fresher than I had in years."

He maintained the CST treatments the rest of the season and became obsessed with the protocol. As luck would have it, the Upledger Institute was conducting CST training seminars in Toronto during his time in Toronto.

Williams attended and says, "As soon as I started learning the techniques, I knew I'd found my calling."

He began practicing CST on friends, family, his kids.

"It works differently on everybody."

Williams returned to the Dolphins for the 2007-10 seasons. Playing in South Florida allowed him to study at the Upledger Institute and develop a close bond with Upledger.

"One of the things I credit Dr. Upledger for -- and something for which he was often criticized during his life -- is that he believed we can all be healers," says Williams. "It was this belief that allowed me to take those first seminars in Toronto without being a licensed health care professional."

Williams has since become a licensed massage therapist, as well as an Upledger Institute-certified CST practitioner.

He credits CST with adding years to his playing career -- and helping him live pain-free since his 2011 retirement.

And now Williams is spreading the CST gospel to his retired NFL brethren.

"We've held three clinics for former players and our next one is in November. That's some of my favorite work," says Williams, who currently lives in Los Angeles and is studying Chinese medicine.

Steve Dorfman writes for The Palm Beach Post. Email: sdorfman(at)pbpost.com.

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