In the name of scientific inquiry, truth, and health for future generations, I call upon all pediatricians to conduct a long term study of the benefits of the present method of vaccinations versus treating infants with CranioSacral Therapy and Homeopathy. In my 15 years of treating children, I have seen such a startling difference in the overall health of children treated with gentle and natural means versus the Conventional Medical approach of vaccinations and antibiotics.

Doctors who are truly interested in the health of their patients should take an honest look at the two different methods. Comparisons should be made of the following:

1) Incidence of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)

2)Levels of Autism and PDD

3)Levels of ADD/ADHD and LD

4)Incidence of Chronic Ear Infections

The results I am sure would be shocking and any Doctor that is truly guided by evidence based scientific research would be forced to reexamine the efficacy of Vaccinations and would turn to CranioSacral Therapy and Homeopathy. The guiding principles of “First Do No Harm”, and “Foster the Body’s Inherent Healing Capabilities” should override all other considerations.

Several weeks ago, a colleague of mine asked me to check out her knees. Without any specific trauma, she told me that she  began to experience severe pain upon walking distances and going up steps. She is young, athletic, and in very good condition and couldn’t understand why  all of a sudden she felt  limited in her daily life.

Interestingly enough, all her physical tests, x-rays, etc revealed no pathology and all seemed normal. From a Western Medical perspective, she was perfectly healthy and the doctor gave her some pain medication and told her it should pass within a week or two. However, with the passage of time, the pain did not subside , but rather intensified when she finally approached me.

However, from a CranioSacral Holistic perspective , I noticed a restriction of her fascial system from her pelvis through her dural tube affecting the Lumbar region and the nerves connecting to the muscles in her thighs and also her kidneys. She also seemed a bit stressed and her breathing patterns were shallow and restricted. This caused a lowering of her CranioSacral rhythm at the area of her diaphragm and also in her neck region. With all this information  given to me through her body, I sensed the Inner Wisdom was speaking to us as pain and restriction of the CranioSacral system and that there was something out of balance in her life.

From a mind/body understanding, I know that pain  in the knees could be a symptom of a fear of not being able to move forward in one’s life. While checking her CranioSacral Rhythm, I asked her if she has been undergoing any stresses in her life, or any major life decisions that have come up and have not yet been resolved. She looked at me with both wonderment and relief and said that yes, she has been overwhelmed with her three major life decisions about where to live, where to work and whom to marry. The emotional stresses simply had been somatized in her body in her tissues and caused a physical manifestation as pain in her knees.

As I helped her clear the body resrtrictions,  she understood  her life situations and she was better able to make decisions and move forward with her life.

How is she doing now? No knee pains, she decided to leave her job, go back to the states for a visit and confident that one day her soulmate will be there .

This my friends is an example of the power of  Holistic CranioSacral Therapy.

Several years ago, a gentlemen in his late 70’s came to me for treatment following a stroke. The CVA left him with weakness in the right side of his body, loss of balance, but he was cognitively intact. During one of our sessions, he recalled with great fondness the treatments he had for many years with his long time Chiropractor. “Whenever I would get a severe headache, I would just make an appointment with the Doc and he would adjust me and my headaches would miraculously disappear.”

I wondered out loud , “when did you get those severe headaches?” He answered without a pause, “Always at work.” “What kind of work did you do?” I asked. ” I was an accountant, and I hated every minute of it. I always wanted to do something in the arts or music, I was a talented musician but due to family and financial pressures, I settled for a job that would be secure, so I chose accounting. But boy, was I miserable all those years.”

How sad, I thought. For years, he was denying the voice of his inner wisdom that came out as headaches that was telling him something was out of balance in his life. “I am angry, I am frustrated, I am doing something I don’t want to be doing. I am forced to lead my life in a way I would not ideally chose.” Like the warning lights coming on when the oil is low in a car and needs to be added before the engine burns out, the body sends a warning light in the way of pain, discomfort, or dis-ease. (The word disease says it all-when the body /mind/spirit is not at ease, there is tension, restriction, tightness which leads to the disease.) Now who in their right mind would just cut the wires and turn off the the warning lights in his car allowing the engine to burn out. However , this is precisely what we do when we take a pill, get an adjustment, go for surgery, etc and try to take away the dis-ease instead of looking at the root cause of the illness. The western Medical model is based on suppression of symptoms and taking away pain rather than identifying root causes whether they be physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual.

In the Holistic CranioSacral Model, the Therapist helps the Client find the root cause by helping him get in touch with the Inner Physician , or Inner Wisdom that everyone one of us possess. In the words of Dr John Upledger, “surgery is often a way of silencing the voice of the Inner Wisdom of the body.”

In my next post, I will explain how the CranioSacral Holistic Model works and how we can use this as a new paradigm in Healing and Health Care.

Shmuel and William Co-treating at the Pediatric Intensive Program, Ramat Rachel 14/08/07

Introduction To Cranio-Sacral Therapy

A 4 hour Workshop Presented by The Center for Health in Israel (CHI)

One of the goals of CHI is to teach people that they play the most active role in their own health. Because many have surrendered their healing potential to advanced technology, we offer this introduction to Cranio-Sacral Therapy in order to help them develop an appreciation for their own abilities to heal.

This unique short workshop has been specifically designed by Stuart and William for persons with no prior knowledge of Cranio-Sacral Therapy. The therapy has been shown to diagnose and treat misunderstood malfunctions involving the brain, spinal cord, and a myriad of other health problems such as chronic pain and lowered vitality, recurring infections, etc.

Workshop participants with no background in this area can learn about the Cranio-Sacral System and its influence on their overall health. The main topics of Energy, Structure and Intention are taught as are basic techniques designed to relieve headaches, reduce stress, control pain, promote relaxation, and to lead participants to a greater understanding of their role in their own health will be taught in a highly experiential few hours.

This workshop provides a medium in which people may come to realize the ir natural healing, and an excellent introduction to learning the CranioSacral System.

For those participants going on to take part in First Level Art of Subtle Palpation, the workshop gives practical experience and methods for using the techniques in a non-clinical environment and a good understanding of the principles involved..

What is CranioSacral Therapy?

This manual therapy is a gentle, non-invasive method of evaluating and enhancing the function of a physiological system called the craniosacral system. CST enhances the body’s natural healing processes and has been proven effective in treating a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including accidental, genetic and/or hereditary disabilities, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and the spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth- which make up the cranium- down to the sacrum, or tailbone.

The positive effect of CranioSacral Therapy relies to a large extent on the patient’s natural self-corrective physiological abilities. The therapist’s light, hands -on approach assists the hydraulic forces inherent within the craniosacral system to improve the body’s internal environment. Examination and correction are both accomplished by hands on testing for movements and restrictions. The goal is to achieve a more conducive state in the brain and spinal cord for natural healing to take place.

The Instructors

Stuart (Shmuel) Berger, PT, Physical Therapy

Shmuel has been in private practice specializing in CST and SER in Aventura, Florida from 1993-1998 and in Jerusalem, Israel from 1998 till the present.

After graduating from the Sackler School of Medicine Physical Therapy Department at Tel Aviv University in 1990, he continued his training in Osteopathy at the Upledger Institute. In 1997, Shmuel completed Advanced Level 2 CST with Dr. John Upledger.

While in Florida, he helped set up the official guidelines for study group leaders for the Upledger Institute. He was also on the staff of the Miami-Dade PTA program and the FIU PT program, serving as the Center Coordinator for Clinical Education (CCCE) at these schools.

Using his background in physical therapy, osteopathy, martial arts, meditation and Judaism, Shmuel has developed and teaches a 6 level curriculum of the Art of Subtle Palpation (ASP). This curriculum provides the training and instruction to become a Holistic Practitioner. Shmuel has students throughout Israel and America. In addition, he is the Director Of Physical Therapy at the Seach Sod School for Special Education.

Shmuel was also a 2 time member and team therapist of the Israeli National Flag Football Team , which achieved 3rd place in the World Tournament in 2003. He also presently coaches the Jerusalem 16-18 year old baseball team of the Israel Association of Baseball (IAB).

William Livingstone, BSc, Naturopath

William arrived in Israel from Scotland in 1969 with a degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the world renowned St. Andrews University.

After spending nearly 6 years in Tzahal, and another year and a half in Rafael, he decided to do something useful for humanity. So he became a teacher of Transcendental Meditation, an insurance agent, a student of Naturopathy (the latter at the College of Natural Medicine in Tel Aviv, where he graduated in 1995) and a Qualified Yoga Laughter Facilitator (graduating from the courses developed by both Dr Madan Kataria in India (http://www.laughteryoga.org/) and Steve Wilson in Ohio, USA (http://www.worldlaughtertour.com/).

And so, for almost 30 years William has been working in, treating and teaching Natural Medicine and Stress Management. He practices his trade in a clinic at his home in Hararit in the Galil, and in Carmiel, where his favourite modes of treatment are Cranial Sacral Therapy and Guided Imagery.

William teaches various aspects of natural medicine (Naturopathic principles, natural nutrition, reflexology and laughter) at Institutes of Higher Learning throughout the country, from Eilat in the south to Tel Chai in the north. He is well known as a facilitator for his students to experience very powerful life processing. These days he’s teaching at The College of Complementary Medicine at both their Ramat Efal and Technion, Haifa Campuses.

The Mix – Stuart and William

Together the two practitioner / teachers bring a unique and very powerful synergy to both the clinic and the class room. Both are graduates of the John Upledger System of Cranial Sacral Balancing (http://upledger.com/). They are presently the only therapists in Israel offering an Intensive Program. This program was first begun in 1988 at the Upledger Cranio Sacral Institute in Florida and has now been expanded to meet the needs of the Israeli population. William and Stuart are the two senior therapists of the Center for Health in Israel (CHI - http://chiisrael.wordpress.com/about/).

The Intensive Program - How Do We Help?

The Intensive Program at present consists of a three hour therapy, with each patient receiving simultaneous and synchronised treatment by both Stuart and William.

All patients receive CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release as well as a myriad of techniques that, through valid research, have shown promise without risk. The goal of the program is to help each patient reach his optimum functional level while maximizing the use of his or her own internal healing resources.

Who Can We Help?

Patients who have been injured at birth or through an accident. Children who were born prematurely and are suffering from developmental delays. They may have a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, multiple sclerosis, autism, muscular dystrophy, or post traumatic stress disorder. Regardless of the circumstances, they have one thing in common - they have been told that little can be done to upgrade their present level of function

Dear Mr.Berger,

I’ve been really wanting to thank you for all the amazing work you did for me/you aided me in doing for myself.  If it wasn’t for you, it’s really scary to think where I would be emotionally and physically.  It’s amazing what craniosacral therapy can do and I’m so grateful you were able to really help me!!
Thank you again and again for giving me my life back (actually, thank you for giving me the opportunity to have a life in the first place, since before I came to you I was never truly alive although I was going through the motions), I can never thank you enough!!  Please continue to do the amazing work you do! I am in nursing school now in order to eventually become a Craniosacral Therapist (something you inspired me to become)!

P.H.

The life force of the body resides in the bone. Health and longevity are in the bone’s ability to produce red blood cells in the long bones of the body and white blood cells in the flat bones . Age , frailty, decline, osteoporosis, and weakness set in when bone marrow turns into fat cells and loses its reproductive capacities. In my experience as a health care practitioner, I have found that the best ways to push off the aging process, and to maintain a healthy, energetic lifestyle are through regular CranioSacral Therapy and Zero Balancing treatments and to practice a simple yet profound type of energetic exercise called bone marrow cleansing. The reason these techniques are so powerful and effective because they all stimulate and vitalize the bone, bone marrow, blood and cerebral spinal fluid in the body.

In my next article , I will explain some basic exercises to get you started on the road to health, vitality, and energy. Stay tuned…

For more information on CranioSacral Therapy, how it works, and what it treats, I recommend Dr. John Upledger’s column in Massage Today at:

http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/columnist_other_articles.php?id=628

Check it out and if you have any questions, feel free to write or call.

Two weeks ago, we brought Yair for 5 hours of a CranioSacral Intensive Program. If I had any reservations to continue with CST because we weren’t sure if it was still helping him, these 5 hours of treatment gave us the answer- within 2 weeks we received a new boy, thank God.

During these past 2 weeks, we have seen a change and development that we have been waiting and hoping for such a long time. For example, Yair finally goes up and down stairs by himself. We live on the third floor and until recently , I would have to lift Yair up and carry the weight of a 3 1/2 year old. Now suddenly, a miracle has taken place and without a struggle, he simply goes up and down stairs as if he’s been doing it his whole life.

Another very significant thing for me is that Yair started making eye contact and following things he throws. Before, he used to walk around and everything that he passed he would toss away and continue on. Suddenly, he throws something , watches and follows it until it lands.

In addition, Yair is playing much more. He has begun to initiate playing with his little brother. He now sits and plays for about a minute, which is alot more than just seconds he used to do. Also his eye contact has increased and is more social and focused.

Yair’s speech, rather his murmurings are broader, and even several times this week, Yair and I had a jibberish conversation together.

But the most significant change from my perspective is his going outside. Suddenly, Yair doesn’t run away from me, but walks a close distance from me, and looks back to check that I am nearby. There are occasional mixups, but it is nothing like the insane chasing after Yair that we had every time we went out with him.

Yair is now playing more at the park- he now approaches children and makes eye contact or tries to take away a toy or food from them. When the children run around, he joins them enthusistically. For the first time in his life he tried to climb the ladder at the park.

In general, he is more in this world, more interested in making contact and seems more mature and less infantile.

He responds much more quickly to what’s happening around him- he has begun to cry when he falls gets banged, responds quicker to sounds, and his reflexes are quicker.

Also, he has begun to broaden his requests that he wants from us. Until recently, all he asked for was juice or food. Now, he takes me to the door when he wants to go outside, or to the bookshelves or toy box. He is much more interested in what goes around him.

B. T. ,Mother of Yair, diagnosed with Autism. Participants in the CHI Institute Intensive Program at Ramat Rachel, July 2007

Intensive Program Staff, Ramat Rachel 14/8/07

The CHI Institute brought together in August and October 2007 some of the finest CranioSacral Therapists in Israel for two Pediatric Intensive Programs at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel. The programs treated four children for 5 hours of multiple -hands on CranioSacral Therapy. The results of the Pediatric Program far exceeded all expectations, and we received so much positive feedback from all the parents. I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the letters and comments we received.

From E. and S. L. , parents of S.(child with PDD and Developmental Delays)

“To the Wonderful Staff of CHI,

Many thanks for your dedication, commitment, and professionalism. It seems to us and S’s Therapists at school that tremendous progress has taken place and we attribute it to your program.

We will do our best to help you spread word of this technique(CranioSacral Therapy) .

Thank you,

The L. Family

From N. C. mother of U. (ADD/ADHD , LD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Thanks so much to the Wonderful Staff of CHI

-For your efforts that you gave to the children, for your patience and understanding.

-You are certainly doing “Holy Work”.

All the Power to you

N.C.

From N. N. mother of A. (Developmental Delays, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Thanks so much for a relaxing, caring, professional treatment with “love without limits”.

And from B. T. mother of Y (Autism)

Many Thanks for the miracle that you made for us with our son, Y. We have received through your treatment a new boy.

Keep up the good work,

The Whole T. Family

In the next blog , I will share with you the letter we received in its entirety from one of the mothers who detailed the miraculous progress as a result of our Program.

I will also publish the results of our documented studies from the program showing the great successes.

Till then, looking forward to your comments and questions

Dear Shmuel and the team of therapists of CHI,

We just wanted to let you know how grateful we are for the great help you have given our son, Ashriel.

As you know, we recently moved from Sederot to the Jerusalem area, mostly due to the effect the barrage of rocket attacks was having on Ashi. The rockets caused him to go into a state of panic, of shock, and sometimes he was so traumatized that he couldn’t move. At other times, he used to climb on our laps and shake uncontrolably for half an hour. He would refuse to eat, talk, or even move for long periods of time. Ashi was always delayed in his language development and social skills, but the stress caused him to regress and stifled his development even more.

By the time Daniel Tarlow contacted us and told us about your program, we had moved out of Sederot. Ashi’s language development was 3 years behind age level and his social development was not much better. Loud noises, popping tires and baloons, and any siren caused him to panic. We were searching for help from varied professionals; no advice was particularly helpful. Although we weren’t overly knowledgeable in cranio-sacral therapy, Mr. Tarlow was so kind and friendly, he convinced us there was no risk, and so we agreed to try it, even though, honestly, it sounded a bit weird.

After two full day sessions of CST, we immediately saw positive changes. Ashriel seemed significantly happier, much more relaxed, definitely more cooperative. Changes in routine, new places, and new sounds no longer caused him great stress. He became a bit more talkative and even began to interact a bit with some other children. His language has improved. And, mysteriously, when he is upset about something, he goes into a headstand, which calms him down. Maybe he is giving himself CST? Ashriel’s language has also boomed and he is now only 1.5 years behind age-level. He is enrolled in a special education preschool four days a week and attends the local preschool for mainstreaming another two days. While clearly lagging in linguistic and social skills, Ashriel seems to be significantly calmer, more easygoing, and more emotionally healthy than he was before your treatments.

Thank you very, very much for all of the warmth, kindness, and genuine help that you have given Ashi and, by extension, the entire Norin family. We only wish that our many brothers and sisters back in Sederot whose children also suffered as a result of the rocket attacks knew of and used your wonderful team of helpers.

May G-d soon bring a true, lasting peace to the middle east and make the world into a place where children do not have to live in the smoke of rocket fire, Until then, we are lucky that your team is able and ready to help.

Thank You Very Much.

Sincerely,

Avraham and Natasha Norin

(02) 996 0568