Adult Craniosacral Therapy
About Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a light touch manual therapy. The intention of the work is to bolster health and resilience within the whole system. We observe areas of the body which may want support to release restrictions or we may aim to bolster resilience in other systems of the body. Every session is unique, in that it is an inquiry as to what would like attention on any particular day. Some days the work is on the physical level, working everything from migraines, TMJ, injury, tinnitus, and post concussion symptoms. Other days we are working several systems at once, examples can be stress, anxiety, or an overwhelmed nervous system. This modality really supports a holistic form of care in that we appreciate all of our systems are connected, and that by supporting one or the other we support the whole. When we are able to open or release one area of tension, or a restriction, the entire system is able to operate at a higher level. We observe and appreciate the complexities of these connections and patterns within the body.
The craniosacral modality is unique in that we allow the inner wisdom of the client to guide the session. It is important in this work that the therapist connects to the client a way that honors what that client needs, and this is different for every individual. That means we never have a plan or agenda with a client and we let the tissues in their body guide our hands and communicate its individual and unique needs. We believe that the body is ultimately wise and self-correcting. Thus our job is to really listen to the body and it's wisdom.
To do this we try to be as unobtrusive as possible and use the least amount of pressure to get the job done. We believe that we are not doing the healing, the client is, and we are just facilitating this process. Another important component is that we do not assume that the area that the client is feeling pain is the source of the restriction, although it may be. We look at the body as a whole and appreciate that a restriction in one area can present a sensation in another area. So we treat what we find with our hands instead of automatically going to where the client is feeling sensation. For example; a client may have pain in their hip, but when we put our hands on we feel the restriction is in the right shoulder, or occiput, and by releasing the tissue in this area, we facilitate the release all the way down to the hip.
CST is working with the physical body, but in honoring the whole body-mind-spirit model of care it is also working on an energetic, emotional, and even spiritual level. Oftentimes as we feel a significant physical release, the client senses a feeling of deep relaxation, softening, and opening. The release happens on many levels. CST supports the health of the central nervous system, which in turns supports the health of the rest of the systems in the body. Another valuable component of the work is that in CST we encourage the client to connect with the sensations of their own body and access their own inner wisdom. Many clients gain personal insight during their sessions or afterwards from the work that has been done. Sometimes, we store old traumas and emotions in our bodies. As the physical release happens, there can be a corresponding memory or emotional response. Through work we call Somatoemotional Release (SER), we can explore things that are coming up for the client through dialoging during the session.
History
It was pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University where he served as professor of biomechanics.
Using a soft touch practitioners blend and meld with tissues and support the release of restrictions and holding patterns in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system and throughout the body. CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and it's effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction. (description from Upledger institute), and is a great treatment for putting the body back into balance
Testimonials
Our last appointment has been powerful (all the other ones as well, yet this one got into my bones). I feel I am still integrating what I have felt. My body feels so much more peaceful, no desperate cries from the past that had to be heard. I am learning to hear them whisper, as I know they still have things to tell, while being in the present and focusing on the future. -AG
I just had to say thank you again for the amazing session last week. I have shared about it with so many friends and I want everyone to go. I feel better than I have in months and was more relaxed than any massage I’ve ever had, Just magic. Can’t wait to come back. -RH
Treatment
The first session is 60 minutes with 45-50 hands on giving time to check in before and after the session.
Anxiety
Learning disabilities
Migranes
Neck Pain
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Scoliosis
Spinal Cord Injury
Surgery Support
Pre and Post Op
TMJ
Stress
Autism
Back Pain
Brain Injury
Central Nervous System Disorders
Chronic Fatigue
Concussion
Immune Disorders
