Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, non-invasive, light touch modality that aims to promote healthy functioning of the central nervous system.
Gentle pressure, about the weight of a nickel, is used to mobilize the bones of the head (including the hard palate inside the mouth) and sacrum, allowing the body to restore blood flow, release tension, and take pressure off of nerves. It stimulates the parasympathetic "rest and digest" part of your nervous system, which is where the body's natural healing ability occurs.
These quiet moments are potent spaces to integrate what we have been experiencing and are key to fostering a greater sense of safety and peace within the body. The Western, colonized, cultural pattern of constant movement keeps our sympathetic "fight or flight" response in action, regardless of what we are doing or what our bodies need.
Why craniosacral therapy?
CST helps balance the nervous system. Some signs you may be stuck in activation include:
Anxiety, inability to relax
Digestion issues- constipation, diarrhea, stomach aches, nausea, vomiting
Rapid pulse/breathing, high blood pressure, low blood pressure
Sleep disturbances, fatigue, brain fog, difficulty accessing executive function/making decisions
Increased muscle tension
Decreased immune system or autoimmune disorders
Hormone imbalances
Dissociation/numbness, depression and overwhelm (freeze/collapse response)
Other reasons to try this therapy:
Headaches
Chronic pain
Concussion/TBI/dementia/Alzheimer’s
Fibromyalgia/CRPS/connective tissue dysfunction
TMJ syndrome
Sensory integration/spectrum diagnosis
Processing emotion
Supporting a 12 step recovery process
“Bottom-up” trauma release
Re/connecting and deepening your spirituality
Remembering and deepening your embodiment
Our body has an amazing ability to heal- often we ignore this, even though cuts, bruises, and broken bones tell us otherwise!
“Every Treatment protocol should be dictated by the wisdom of the patient’s own body.”
-John E. Upledger
John E. Upledger, co-founder of the Upledger Institute and one of the forefathers of craniosacral therapy as it is known today, believed incredible healing could take place if we could join forces with our innate ability to self-correct.
With over 20 years of experience as a manual therapist, I hold that same belief. Despite all that science and medicine has discovered, the human form still retains mystery, and one of the most amazing qualities it has is the tendency towards homeostasis- balance. Think of all we could accomplish if we could collaborate with a system that is exhausted, confused, or diseased and provide a helping hand, helping to regain, replenish, and restore.
Throughout our lives, stress, injury, and trauma often create confusing layers of compensation and holding patterns. These need to be addressed one at a time- from the outside, inward. The intent I hold with every session is to provide your body with what it needs for support in that very moment.
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Wear something comfortable. You will remain dressed throughout your session.
What a session looks like varies greatly. Your body knows what it needs, so I always will make contact with your body before a treatment plan unfolds- the session then directs itself.
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Craniosacral therapy is an avenue of healing that carries almost zero risk. At the very best it can help solve chronic, debilitating problems, put us back in touch with our bodies and our most intimate selves…at the very least it can provide some well needed relaxation.
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There are a number of reasons. Firstly, there are aspects of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that you simply can’t access from the outside. These structures are just as important in the balance and function of the jaw and throat, and if there are restrictions present, releasing them will yield good results. If you are someone who deals with headaches, jaw pain, or chronic neck issues, working inside the mouth is incredibly beneficial.
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I operate on a sliding scale fee scale. Please click here to view my pricing page.