CranioSacral Therapy
Discover gentle and effective relief with CranioSacral Therapy – a natural approach to healing.
What is Craniosacral Therapy (CST)?
Your body is amazing. It has everything it needs to work effectively and efficiently. It even has systems in place to help fight stress, pain, and infection; however, it is easy for the body to become overloaded in our modern, fast-paced world and sometimes needs a helping hand to get back on track.
The most influential system in the body is the central nervous system. This acts as our main computer controlling and regulating all other systems. Overload here can impact the body in a large variety of ways.
The system most closely linked to the central nervous system is therefore your CranioSacral system. Dr. Upledger described this system to consist of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord, extending from the bones of the skull (cranium) down to the tailbone area sacrum). Hence the name “cranio and sacral”.
In CST the therapist uses a light touch to evaluate and release restrictions and imbalances in this system, allowing the body to self-correct and heal.
How can Craniosacral Therapy help me?
CranioSacral Therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including headaches, neck and back pain, stress and tension-related disorders, post-concussion syndrome, and many others. It can also be helpful for babies and children with conditions such as colic, sleep disturbances, and developmental delays. The therapy is gentle, safe, and appropriate for people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. The therapist works in partnership with the client’s body to facilitate deep relaxation, release of tension and pain, and overall well-being.
What can I expect during a Craniosacral Therapy Treatment?
During a session, the client remains fully clothed and lies comfortably on a massage table. The therapist uses a light touch to assess the client’s craniosacral rhythm and locate areas of tension or restriction. Using various techniques, the therapist gently releases these restrictions, allowing the body to self-correct and heal. Clients often report feeling deeply relaxed and peaceful during and after a session, with a sense of increased vitality and well-being.
CST and Fascia
A CranioSacral Therapy session is not only focused on the head, spine, and pelvis. All parts of the body are connected directly and indirectly by an internal web of tissue called connective tissue or the fascial system. This means tension or an injury in the foot can still impact the upper body, even the head and neck.
With this knowledge, CranioSacral Therapy assesses and treats the whole body including the fascial system to ensure all tension and restrictions are released.
My Expertise
Chronic pain/ Fybromyalgia
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CranioSacral Therapy is effective in reducing and eliminating chronic pain in a wide spectrum of conditions and often correcting the underlying dysfunction. CranioSacral Therapy is significant as it empowers the innate healing potential to uncover root causes of pain. CranioSacral Therapy promotes the decompression of the entire craniosacral system which “is intimately related to, influences, and is influenced by: the nervous system, the musculoskeletal system, the vascular system and the lymphatic system” (Upledger, 2003). In other words, Craniosacral Therapy releases restrictions and held patterns in the fascial system allowing the entire myofascial structure to decompress and regain functional symmetry, releasing energy on all levels, and affecting all systems of the body.
Learning challenges and sensory integration
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Many children diagnosed with learning challenges can be helped with CranioSacral Therapy. The cranial nerves, especially the trigeminal and vagus nerves, produce significant dysfunction throughout the body when they have been impinged and burdened by dysfunctions of the membranes and bones of the cranium, including profound physical, emotional, and developmental problems. Decompression of the cranial base can improve the behaviour and attention span of children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. In many cases the Craniosacral technique called the “temporal ear pull” is successfully used to treat Dyslexia and Dyscalculia. Sensory challenges such as auditory problems and visual disturbances respond well to the release of dural membrane tension both in children and in adults.
Migraines & Headaches
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Factors such as emotional stress, tension in the neck or jaw, frowning and clenching the teeth or forehead can all contribute to headaches, as well as pain in the face, neck and shoulders. CST can help to reduce tension patterns surrounding the head and the entire central nervous system. CST may also decrease migraines or tension headaches tied to high stress levels.
Immune system revitalization
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The immune system can be generally revitalized through the release of soft tissues and diaphragms, which improves lymphatic function, circulation, digestion, elimination, and organ function. Exchange of fluids and the resulting detoxification of tissues and organs can reduce the sensitivity to allergens. A craniosacral stillpoint also improves the production and circulation of craniosacral fluid, which carries antibodies and flushes toxins from the central nervous system, improving the overall function of the central nervous system. Craniosacral stillpoints have shown to influence the immune response by reducing acute inflammation, fever, and infection.
Post surgery recovery
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CranioSacral Therapy is effective in helping patients get remobilized after a sustained health crisis or injury. It can be used post-surgery to normalize traumatized tissue, promote fluid exchange, and release toxic anaesthetics from the nervous system. Arthritis, headaches, neuralgias and fibromyalgia, are all examples due to an impairment of fluid flow and an accumulation of toxic materials. CranioSacral Therapy can even prevent the need for invasive surgical interventions and the over-reliance on pharmaceuticals.
Neck, shoulder and lower back pain
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CST uses gentle pressure on the head, neck, and back to relieve the stress and pain caused by compression. The gentle manipulation of the bones in the skull, spine, and pelvis improves cerebrospinal fluid circulation and releases tension and restrictions in the central nervous system.
Fluid flow and toxin removal
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CranioSacral Therapy promotes fluid exchange among numerous physiological systems. Fluid exchange distributes nutrients, antibodies, and flushes waste. CranioSacral Therapy specifically enhances the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and facilitates the movement of the body in synchrony with the craniosacral rhythm. CSF has been shown to carry small molecule chelating agents, removing toxic heavy metals from the central nervous system.[1]
Dental Trauma
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There is an important connection between the state of your mouth/teeth and the rest of your body. In health, all facial and cranial bones are free to express movement carefully and rhythmically. If the face is subject to trauma, it is possible that normal and rhythmic bone motion becomes restricted and we may begin to develop symptoms not only in the face, head and neck but also elsewhere in the body. One of the common causes of trauma in teeth (and the mouth/face/head in general) are intensive dental treatments.
Tooth extraction, root canals, freezing/anesthesia, upper full or partial denture, bridges that connect the front teeth, absence of back teeth, Orthodontics are all common causes of dental trauma.
Common symptoms that I see in my practice are nasal problems, hearing problems, headaches, migraines, neck pain, back (lower or upper) pain, TMJ disorders and teeth grinding.
CST for Infants
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CST is considered safe for infants due to how gentle and non-invasive treatments are. Treatment can assist to deeply relax babies, assisting them to feel protected and nurtured, while potentially also alleviating compression in the nervous system that is leading to pain or symptoms. Sessions may benefit a baby’s sleep, digestion and moods by easing tightness in the baby’s fascial sustem such as the mouth, head, back and neck.
Please have a look at our CST baby clinic Instagram page. The baby clinic is held monthly in Somerset West and is a wonderful opportunity for meeting other families and learning together.
https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=3iexsoin69qi&utm_content=n4imimj
Structural balance and ease of movement
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CranioSacral Therapy promotes the mobilization of joints, neuromuscular and organ structures, improving their balance and functional symmetry. Mobilization brings balance and freedom to the body.
Emotional balance – Anxiety
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CranioSacral Therapy effectively reduces stress and anxiety through tissue relaxation and release, lowering blood pressure, improving sleep and reducing sympathetic hypertonus and irritability. In the case of physical or emotional trauma, energy impacts and is absorbed into the body. If the body cannot readily defuse the energy, energetic disturbances are retained causing stress to the body. CST promotes the release of dysfunctional physiological and emotional energy which has been retained in the fluids of the fascial system.
Emotional balance – Depression
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Dr. Upledger explained that most cases of depression, may it be endogenous or reactive, have presented with a severe anterior-posterior compression of the cranial base. The occciptal base decompression has therefore shown to be very successful in the treatment of emotional challenges thereby releasing tension form the entire central nervous system. Chronic challenges are often resolved when the emotional component is addressed.
Getting Started is Easy
Free 20 Min Chat
During our initial 20-minute chat, I'll ask some questions to learn about your health history and what you'd like to achieve from therapy. You are welcome to leave me a message via WhatsApp to schedule.
Book Appointment
My working hours are as follows: Mon – Fr 9;00-13:30 & Fr afternoons 14:30 – 19:00
Please send me a message via WhatsApp or e mail with your preferred times and days and I will revert back to you asap.
1st Session!
During our first session, I will address any concerns you may have. I will also ask some questions to learn more about you and your health, and based on that information, I will make a recommendation for a treatment plan going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions depend on the individual healthcare goals and priorities. Personally, I suggest a few sessions not too far apart initially. Thereafter, one can review together if the goals are being met. Empowerment of the client rather dependency on the therapy is key.
I didn’t feel much, why not?
The body tends to accept very weak forces and polarize against strong forces as a protection mechanism. CranioSacral Therapy uses very light subtle forces in order to affect positive changes that allow the body to rebalance and access homeostasis. For this reason, the client may not “feel” very much in the way of physical contact during a session, however, profound effects may be perceived especially after a session as changes occur and the body rebalances itself.
Is CST backed by scientific studies?
One of the challenges for therapists in complementary medicine is in doing research that provides an evidence base. Part of the challenge comes because we don’t treat all of the people with similar symptoms the same way. However, Dr Upledger performed intensive research into the physical techniques when he was at Michigan State University. Much of what he learned, and the research he carried out with others, is recorded in the appendices of his book CranioSacral Therapy. There were also numerous publications in osteopathic journals in the 70s and 80s. There are many more research articles, case studies and relevant articles in a searchable database on Upledger Institute International’s website. Please do have a rummage and see what you can find!
Is CranioSacral Therapy safe?
Yes, CranioSacral Therapy is a safe and non-invasive treatment that has been used for over 100 years. It is suitable for people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly.
How come I feel pain in my shoulder when I didn’t feel it at the beginning of the session?
As restrictions lift and the body rebalances, toxins are released, and improved nutrient flow occurs, nerves can function better. This process sometimes manifests itself as pain. Once the rebalancing is complete the pain should subside and the flow of nutrients and waste products occurs more freely. The body may also be reexperiencing a previous trauma or injury as it is releasing from the tissues. This can take a few days but usually fades.
What should I expect during a CranioSacral Therapy session?
During a session, I will use a light touch to evaluate the craniosacral system and identify areas of restriction. I will then use gentle techniques to release these restrictions and promote the body’s natural healing processes. You will remain fully clothed and the session will take place in a peaceful, relaxing environment.
Who developed CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics.
Is CranioSacral Therapy covered by insurance?
Many insurance plans do cover CranioSacral Therapy, but coverage can vary depending on your specific plan. I recommend checking with your insurance provider to determine your coverage options.
Contact Me
Ask a question or book an appointment below. For emergencies visit your nearest hospital