Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a type of light touch therapy. It is a gentle, noninvasive, yet effective type of bodywork. A trained Craniosacral Therapist is able to locate areas on the body in which restrictions are present. Restrictions develop for a variety of reasons; they can develop from physical injuries, emotional issues/trauma, or just from every day life activities. The goal is to find these restrictions and gently release them. It does not involve direct manipulation of the bones or muscles like therapies such as chiropractic and massage. CST can be used by itself or it can be an excellent addition to chiropractic, massage, or any other types of body work.
The following conditions are just some issues CST can help with, but is not limited to only these conditions
For a more detailed description about what Craniosacral Therapy is and how it works, please continue to read the following.
To best understand how CST works, it is useful to understand what the Craniosacral System and Craniosacral Rhythm are and how they relate to one another.
The Craniosacral System consists of the tissues, membranes, and fluids that surround and support the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the head (cranium) down to the bones at the base of the spine (sacrum).
The Craniosacral System is intimately related to all systems within the body (such as the nervous, musculoskeletal, and lymphatic systems). It influences and is influenced by those systems. Imbalances and restrictions in the Craniosacral System are related to compromised functioning in the body, which usually crops up as symptoms (such as aches and pains). Craniosacral Therapy can work to improve and create positive changes within the Craniosacral System, which then in turn can create positive changes throughout the rest of the body’s systems.
The membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord are continuously filling and draining Cerbrospinal Fluid (CSF). CSF helps maintain a proper environment for your brain and nervous system to function. This expansion (filling) and resorption (draining) of CSF creates subtle rhythmic movements throughout the body. These movements are called the Craniosacral Rhythm (CSR). The CSR can be felt anywhere in the body by a trained Craniosacral Therapist. By assessing the Craniosacral Rythym, the therapist gains information about where the body needs help. The source of pain one may be experiencing is not necessarily obvious. For example, if someone is experiencing pain in the shoulder, it isn’t for sure that the shoulder is what needs to be worked on. By assessing the CSR, the therapist may work on a different part of the body that releases distant restrictions causing the shoulder pain. Improving the flow and movement of the CSF can improve the overall health of your body’s systems.
A typical session has you rest fully clothed on a massage table (though I will ask you to take off your shoes). While you are not required to wear special clothing, it is helpful if you wear comfortable, non-constrictive clothing. I will then gently use my hands to assess areas of your body in which I feel restrictions and treat those areas. This gentle treatment allows for your body to work at releasing restrictions and healing itself in its own time (as opposed to forcing the body to make changes). Most people feel very relaxed during a session. Some people report feeling changes within their bodies while they are receiving treatment. However, some results are not immediate. It is not uncommon for changes to take a few hours or even a few days to fully take place.
The following conditions are just some issues CST can help with, but is not limited to only these conditions
- Headaches
- TMJ dysfunction
- Vertigo
- Depression
- Back pain
- Joint immobility
- Neck pain
- Sinus congestion
- Migraines
- The effects of childhood trauma and negative touch
For a more detailed description about what Craniosacral Therapy is and how it works, please continue to read the following.
To best understand how CST works, it is useful to understand what the Craniosacral System and Craniosacral Rhythm are and how they relate to one another.
The Craniosacral System consists of the tissues, membranes, and fluids that surround and support the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the head (cranium) down to the bones at the base of the spine (sacrum).
The Craniosacral System is intimately related to all systems within the body (such as the nervous, musculoskeletal, and lymphatic systems). It influences and is influenced by those systems. Imbalances and restrictions in the Craniosacral System are related to compromised functioning in the body, which usually crops up as symptoms (such as aches and pains). Craniosacral Therapy can work to improve and create positive changes within the Craniosacral System, which then in turn can create positive changes throughout the rest of the body’s systems.
The membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord are continuously filling and draining Cerbrospinal Fluid (CSF). CSF helps maintain a proper environment for your brain and nervous system to function. This expansion (filling) and resorption (draining) of CSF creates subtle rhythmic movements throughout the body. These movements are called the Craniosacral Rhythm (CSR). The CSR can be felt anywhere in the body by a trained Craniosacral Therapist. By assessing the Craniosacral Rythym, the therapist gains information about where the body needs help. The source of pain one may be experiencing is not necessarily obvious. For example, if someone is experiencing pain in the shoulder, it isn’t for sure that the shoulder is what needs to be worked on. By assessing the CSR, the therapist may work on a different part of the body that releases distant restrictions causing the shoulder pain. Improving the flow and movement of the CSF can improve the overall health of your body’s systems.
A typical session has you rest fully clothed on a massage table (though I will ask you to take off your shoes). While you are not required to wear special clothing, it is helpful if you wear comfortable, non-constrictive clothing. I will then gently use my hands to assess areas of your body in which I feel restrictions and treat those areas. This gentle treatment allows for your body to work at releasing restrictions and healing itself in its own time (as opposed to forcing the body to make changes). Most people feel very relaxed during a session. Some people report feeling changes within their bodies while they are receiving treatment. However, some results are not immediate. It is not uncommon for changes to take a few hours or even a few days to fully take place.
