Craniosacral Therapy

About Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy is a form of gentle hands-on bodywork that seeks to bring the body into homeostasis—our natural healing state. By working with the Craniosacral system—the bones of the cranium and sacrum—we can subtly affect the fluid and fascia which connect and protect these two poles of our central nervous system.

By tracking the rhythmic pulse of cerebral spinal fluid as it flows between the cranium and sacrum, we may find blockages or areas of tension, which can arise from a past injury, trauma, or chronic illness. The gentle holds of Craniosacral therapy help to release these blocks in the pace that the system allows. When our cerebral spinal fluid is then able to flow freely through the Craniosacral system, the structures of our nervous system are able to function optimally, and we enter our full self-healing potential.

In the Craniosacral framework, the therapist does not heal you, but rather enhances your own self-healing capacity. Our bodies can only dedicate resources to healing when they aren’t responding to a perceived threat. A Craniosacral therapist’s role is to create the conditions in which you can enter a safe, regulated, healing state. It’s about reminding the body what safety and wholeness feel like, and being supported in the transition into homeostasis, so that with time, you can find self-regulation more easily and frequently.

Who Craniosacral Therapy is For

Craniosacral Therapy can be supportive for many conditions, as nervous system dysfunction is at the root of so many symptoms. Most commonly, Craniosacral therapy is sought for:

  • anxiety and depression

  • autoimmune conditions

  • chronic fatigue

  • chronic gut issues

  • chronic neck/back pain

  • chronic stress

  • eating disorders

  • headaches and migraines

  • nervous system dysregulation

  • PTSD or C-PTSD

  • TMJ disorder

  • pelvic pain*

*Please remember that bodywork, while extremely supportive, is not a substitute for medical care, especially if you are experiencing one of the conditions listed above. It is recommended that you consult a qualified health practitioner if you are unsure whether Craniosacral therapy would be appropriate for your condition.

What to Expect

You’ll lie down on a cushioned massage table and remain fully clothed—it’s best if you can wear your most comfortable and non-restrictive clothing. I will invite you to set an intention for the healing you’d like to call in during your session. I will then slowly move through a series of holds using very light pressure on your sacrum, spinal cord, and cranium.

All you need to do is relax and surrender to whatever comes up. You may fall asleep, or feel like you’re in an altered state of consciousness. You may twitch or jerk involuntarily as the nervous system discharges energy. Memories or flashbacks may come through—our fascia can create protective patterns in response to trauma and injury, and when these patterns are able to soften into our present state of safety, they may surface. You may see images or have trains of thought that make no sense to you. Or it may feel like not much is happening. This is all okay! Everyone responds differently to the work, and it can take some systems longer to settle into the stillness than others. It may be a few minutes or a few sessions before your body feels safe enough to let go and the fascia begins to unwind.

In Craniosacral we are working at the pace of your body and your nervous system—your body is a self-healing organism. We are giving the body the safety and resourcing it needs to do its own natural healing work. Over time, as our system becomes more familiar with the feeling of being regulated, it is easier for our systems to drop in to this state in session, and we can find and remain in self-regulation longer and more consistently in our daily lives.

After Your Session

There is so much healing that can happen in session, and the true and lasting healing comes with integration—when we can to carry the regulation we found in session into our lives out in the world. It is easiest for us to notice subtle shifts against a blank canvas at first. If you can, block off some time for journaling, art, a walk in nature, a few moments sitting somewhere quiet with yourself, or whatever practice helps you stay in your body and notice how you’re feeling.

Additionally, be sure to hydrate! Water and minerals are essential to our brain and nervous system health, and our body can process the work with more ease when we’re well hydrated.

 FAQ

  • The beginning of Craniosacral Therapy was Dr. William Sutherland's discovery in the early 1900s that the bones of the cranium, joined at sutures, allow for very slight movement and articulation. Lining the inside of these bones is dura mater, which attaches at both the occiput and the sacrum. This continuous sheath of fascia, the dural tube, travels from the cranium, along the spinal cord, down to the sacrum. The dural tube is filled with cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), which bathes the roots of our nerves. This river of CSF flows up and down from our cranium to sacrum and has its own pulse and it moves up and down the craniosacral system.

    This relationship between the flow of cerebral spinal fluid and the fascial system of our body is one of the primary ways that Craniosacral Therapy works. Our fascial system is a continuous matrix of connective tissue, connecting every structure of the body. Restrictions in the fascia anywhere in the body—possibly due to trauma or disease—will affect the craniosacral system, which will affect our nervous system's ability to function, which is the foundation of our ability to heal. By performing subtle releases on the fascia connecting to the bones of the craniosacral system, we can being to unwind old tension patterns, freeing the cerebral spinal fluid to move more freely and enhance the functioning of our nervous and immune systems.

    Find research and articles about CST on the Upledger website here.

  • The lineage of Craniosacral Therapy that was originally developed by osteopath William Sutherland, now taught primarily through the Upledger Institute, is categorized as "biomechanical" CST. In this style, the therapist performs subtle assessments to identify fascial restrictions, and follows with gentle, targeted adjustments on the craniosacral system to unwind these tension patterns. It is a more active approach to CST and can be most helpful for more acute or physical conditions.

    Biodynamic CST is a newer adaptation, first taught in the 1980's by Franklyn Sills. Rather than seeking out the areas of imbalance in the body, the therapist attunes to the areas of health in the client's system. When we can enhance and support the areas of health, we often see that the body is able to resolve the areas of imbalance on its own. Instead of performing adjustments to instigate a change or release, the therapist moves with and enhances the client's existing cranial rhythms, giving support for their system to resolve blockages at its own pace. Biodynamic CST is especially supportive for clients who are seeking support for chronic conditions as well as mental, emotional, and nervous system support.

    A single session can draw from both approaches, and I use both depending on the needs of the client.

  • The answer to this question will be different for everyone—there is never a one-size-fits-all when it comes to healing. I can offer your body all the support I am capable of, and ultimately it is your body that will determine the pace of your healing.

    Generally, I recommend that new clients receive three sessions within 6-8 weeks to determine if this work feels supportive for them or not at this time. Craniosacral Therapy may be something you wish to receive 2-4 times a month in the more intensive healing phases of your life, and once every month or two when your symptoms are less acute. Feel free to email me about your current experience and I'd be happy to offer my recommendation.