What is Craniosacral Therapy? What about Integrative Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on approach to bodywork that aims to "turn down the volume" in our tissues and ease the nervous system to allow for homeostatic harmony. Over time, our bodies respond to our habits with physical adaption and compensation that can lead to dysfunction. CST can help release deep tension and restrictions by using soft touch to manipulate and relax the joints and tissues surrounding the nervous system. These clothed sessions can be a helpful and safe adjunct therapy for those with anxiety, depression, headache, migraines, TMJ dysfunction, fibromyalgia, PTSD, TBI, chronic head & neck pain, chronic stress & tension, ASD, and many other health conditions. Sessions can be regional, whole-body, or integrated with massage therapy and other bodywork. Hence, Integrative Craniosacral Therapy! CST integrates seamlessly into traditional massage, and my clients find these integrated therapeutic sessions to be extremely effective.  

 

So what does CST actually look like for a client? My favorite way to describe it is that it is a series of holds from your skull to your sacrum and they work like a more educated and precise hug. You know how when you hug an upset person you can feel the tension in their body? As you hold on, you notice that person relaxes into you and their body and movements soften. Basically that is the same concept, only on a smaller and more precise level! The sessions are supremely relaxing and slow. 

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There are several forms of Craniosacral Therapy with different approaches and philosophies. My personal approach is focused on relaxing the muscles, connective tissue, and joints surrounding the nervous system to promote better flexibility between your sympathetic ("fight or flight") and parasympathetic ("rest and digest, rebuild and repair") nervous system.

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