What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is an osteopathic modality that brings a body into more balance. It’s a gentle treatment approach that works with the natural, self-correcting mechanism of the body and the CranioSacral system (the membranes and fluids that surround the brain and spinal cord) to detect and release restrictions in mobility and enhance function. The rhythmic movement of the CranioSacral System can be detected and palpated by a trained practitioner to determine the core issues so that treatment can focus on the cause the imbalance rather than the symptoms. CranioSacral Therapy is so gentle, it can be effective for all ages, from newborns to elders.

Why is it important to correct imbalances in the CranioSacral System?
When any system is compromised, it affects the function of that system and we don’t feel optimal. Sometimes we are so used to our “new normal” that we don’t remember what optimal feels like! CST affects ALL of the body’s systems, especially your Central Nervous System. When we have imbalances in our nervous system, our bodies are less able to deal with taxing stressors of daily life– and illness can result. Few body structures have more influence over your health and well-being than your Central Nervous System. When there are restrictions, toxins can get trapped in small pockets. But when the CST practitioner releases these restrictions, nutrients are allowed to flow back in while metabolic waste and toxins flow out of tissue, organs and glands. This action increases cellular functioning and improves overall health.

How do we get imbalances in the CranioSacral system?

• Trauma
• Birth Defects
• Birth Trauma
• Chronic Misalignment of the Skeletal System
• Virus/ Bacteria
• Car Accidents *Sport Injuries
• Poor Nutrition
• Chronic Disease
• Compromised Immune System
• Repeated Emotional Stress

Repeated Stress –Our culture is highly stressed in part because of our technology. Almost every email or text requires us to look at it and often respond quickly, much faster than a telephone call or old-fashioned office memo. Repeated stress taxes the ancient part of our nervous system that responds automatically and similarly to when dinosaurs roamed the planet and we occasionally needed the instinctive response of fight or flight to survive. Our bodies are now consistently on that end of the continuum. CST takes/reminds the body that relaxation is possible through parasympathetic system.

What are some of the symptoms of restrictions?

• Reduced Immune Function
• Headaches/Migraines
• Chronic Pain
• Abnormal Nervous System Response
• Dizziness
• Vision Impairment
• Lack of Clarity
• Nervousness *Panic Attacks
• Inability of body to digest chronic Stress
• Blood Pressure Issues
• Eye Difficulties
• Motor-Coordination impairment
• Learning Disabilities
• Scoliosis
• Other Physical and Psychological problems

What can I expect during a session?
You are fully clothed during the entire CS session.

We all have something called our “Inner Physician.” The Inner Physician is part of each of us, deep inside, that knows exactly what we need, right now, to grow and develop and heal and love and be ourselves, the most true, complete version of ourselves yet possible. It’s the body’s self correcting mechanism. Example of a self-correcting action: when you have fever the body starts sweating to reduce body temperature. Initially, the CST practitioner asks your inner physician for permission to lead your body where it needs to go in order to release emotion, adhesions and pain. Next, with just 5 grams of pressure (the weight of a nickel), the practitioner assess the CranioSacral system for restrictions at 10 different listening stations along the body. Lastly once these restrictions are detected through palpitation of the CranioSacral rhythm, that same 5 grams of pressure is used to listen to and follow your tissue as it adjusts your sacrum, the sutures of the skull, the fascia that supports and protects your brain and spinal cord and the major horizontal diaphragms of the body. Your tissues use their “Inner Physician” or inner wisdom to show me the release.

What conditions can CranioSacral therapy be used to treat?

• Chronic Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraines and Headaches
• Neck and Back Pain
• Stress-Related Disorders
• Motor-Coordination Impairments
• Infant and Child Disorders
• Orthopedic Problems
• Neurovascular Disorders
• Immune Disorders
• Central Nervous System Disorders *Post-surgical dysfunction
• Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
• TMJ Syndrome
• Scoliosis
• Learning Disabilities
• ADD/ADHD
• Autism
• Emotional Difficulties
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Lyme Disease
• And many other conditions

CranioSacral Therapy listens to your body talk so it can assist your body in releasing emotional and/or physical trauma and bring your body back to neutral.