How to Massage With the Frontal Lift Hold in Cranial Massage

Cranial sacral therapy is a form of massage therapy which utilizes gentle pressure along the cranial bones, spine and sacrum to release pressure caused by abnormal flow of cranial-sacral fluids. Helping to relieve ailments such as migraines, Parkinson's, earaches, back pain, sinus pain and insomnia, cranial sacral therapy is gentle enough for newborns and the elderly. The frontal lift is one of many holds used in this form of therapy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Begin the massage with your client face up on the table. Sit in a chair above your client's head a comfortable distance away from the table.

2. Place the pads of your thumbs against the center of the frontal bone of your client. Your thumbs should be touching gently as the heels of your palms brace the entire temple along the sutures of the cranial bones. Fan your fingers out, and if possible, relax them down into a comfortable position along your client's forehead. If you are working on a child or small person, you may need to lift your finger slightly for their comfort.

3. Apply extremely gentle pressure along the entire length of your palms to lift the frontal bone, stimulating the cranial sacral fluid. This action is not dramatic at all, in fact it should not be visible to the eye. While you should be able to feel the lifting motion and your client may feel like you are tugging slightly at the skin, you should not lift so much that you see the scalp move.

4. Use the frontal lift in your cranial sacral sessions to relieve migraines, TMJ pain, insomnia and even allergies. Maintain the hold for at least 60 seconds before releasing and moving onto the next technique.