About CranioSacral

What is CranioSacral Therapy?

CranioSacral therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on treatment method that focuses on alleviating restrictions and restoring balance to all the bones of the skull, spinal cord, sacrum, pelvis, and all of their related connective tissues. The end result is a restoration of biomechanical balance, healing and optimal performance. This holistic healing practice uses light finger pressure to optimize body movement by correcting misalignments and distortions within the structure and function of the CranioSacral system. The CST practitioner will evaluate the system and once a restriction is found, they will use a skilled and sensitive touch on specific bone patterns to help release any restrictions in the cranial sutures, fascia, membranes, muscles, or any other related soft tissues. CranioSacral can be highly effective in addressing and relieving a number of conditions in the horse, both acute and chronic.

How can CranioSacral Therapy benefit my horse?

Our equine athletes are subjected to a variety of stressors including competition, training, improperly fitting tack, head and jaw pressures and recovery from accidents and injuries. These stressors can result in a predictable pattern of pain, injury and decreased performance which can cause postural imbalances, compensation patterns in your horse's movement, and decreased overall performance. The increased challenges created by these imbalances eventually overwhelm the system, resulting in more serious injuries, behavioral issues, and/or chronic pain issues. More specifically, CranioSacral work can provide relief for restricted shoulders, sore necks, back pain, sore hocks and stifles, TMJ/TMD pain, headshaking, cribbing, blocked nasal-lacrimal ducts, asymmetrical posture/movement and decreased athletic performance. CranioSacral can also be an effective complementary therapy during recovery from such common accidents and injuries as a slip or fall, pulling back while tied, falling/flipping over backwards, or head injuries from rearing.

Shannon began researching CranioSacral for herself and her horse after they were both involved in an accident involving another horse in the fall of 2009, which caused head injuries for both she and her mare. She also started to notice a common theme in many of the horses coming to her for training: that more often than not, a physical dysfunction had turned into a behavioral issue, and most of these horses were being labeled as "problem horses." Some of them had previous histories of accidents, some needed dentistry and had chronic TMJ pain, and some had started compensating due to poor tack fit and/or improper use of bits. Through her research, Shannon found Maureen Rogers and her Equine CranioSacral™ workshops and began her training in the summer of 2010.  Shannon feels that by addressing the CranioSacral system and restoring balance in the equine body, it is much easier for her to address the whole horse in the training process.

Shannon is available to do private consultations to assess your horse and/or provide a CranioSacral session. Most horses find significant relief after one session; however it can take up to five sessions depending on the case. It is important to note, that although often changes are 'seen' immediately, the visual change is the last to take effect as changes are occurring at the central nervous system level. Once the over all issue has been addressed and or relieved, a maintenance or "as needed" plan is recommended.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Shannon at (254) 702-8181 if you would like to book an appointment.  See our photos for before and after examples of the equine clients Shannon has worked on.

The Temporomandibular Joint

What is the TMJ?

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is often called the "Master Link" to the horse's optimal well being. Restoring health and balance to the TMJ often corrects compensation patterns seen throughout the body as well as physical and behavioral issues. It is made up of the articulation of the temporal bones, the mandible, and the surrounding tendons, ligaments and muscles. The TMJ is an integral part of the horse's biomechanics, digestion, proprioception and overall wellness, and its primary functions are to provide balance/equilibrium and proper mastication of food. Many of our horses experience TMJ pain, and even more are suffering with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), which can involve the soft tissue surrounding the joint and create dysfunction in the surrounding muscles, fascia, and ligaments. What starts as mild discomfort for the horse can often turn into constant headaches and associating soft tissue pain as the inflammatory process in the joint progresses. This can affect every aspect of the horse's performance and overall health.

Assessment of the TMJ:

There are a few ways to assess your own horse for TMJ Pain or possible TMD, and if you suspect your horse has TMJ issues, please have a veterinarian or qualified Equine Dentist perform an exam. Observe and listen to your horse chewing and note if he is tilting his head while eating, dropping food, if his jaw is moving in a circular motion or he is just chewing one sided. When your horse chews it should sound smooth and free of clicking, popping or clunking. You may also look at your horse's head straight on and note if ears, eyes, nostrils and facial crests are symmetrical with one another. Check your masseter (cheek) and temporalis (forehead) muscles for symmetry and note if one is larger than the other, then gently palpate the muscles to see if they feel healthy and full or flat/planed out and hard. Look at the incisors, they should be aligned top to bottom and the tongue should be centered in the mouth. If they are off center, wedged or showing an overbite or the tongue is bulging out one side, both sides, or pushed in between the incisors, there is a chance you have a dental pathology.  See below photos of incisors on horses with TMJ pain or diagnosed TMD. These photos were taken before their CranioSacral appointments and during assessment. (Click any image to enlarge)

PLEASE NOTE: Shannon Brown is a CranioSacral Practitioner who has completed certain in depth training requirements, and has been approved by Maureen Rogers of Equine CranioSacral Workshops. She is not a veterinarian. She does not practice veterinary medicine, nor give veterinary medical advice. You should always have your horse examined by a veterinarian if there has been an accident, lameness or an unexplained change in your horse's behavior.