About

What in the world is CranioSacral therapy?

You may be wondering, what is CranioSacral therapy (CST)?

 

That is definitely a frequently asked question! CST is a gentle hands on approach to healing. We focus on the central nervous system including the brain and spinal cord and where they are housed in the skull and spinal column, and are surrounded by the cerebral spinal fluid. It flows inside the coverings inside the body structures of the skull and vertebra and we work toward improving the flow of the fluids and releasing restrictions and tensions in the system.

 

Our central nervous system directs and regulates all of the systems in our body including circulatory, digestive, lymphatic, sensory, respiratory, healing processes, muscle movements, and coordination. It has a big job! CST works at a foundational level to allow persons' systems to self correct and balance, and can help with conditions such as migraines, stress, pain, orthopedic conditions, sensory  processing disorders and many more. 

 

CST was developed by John Upledger, DO in the 1970s and is based on years of research and scientific evidence. Therapists are offered classes in countries all around the world. Doctors, dentists and chiropractors are referring more and more, in fact 2 of my grandbabies were referred by their pediatricians for CST in the past year. 

How CranioSacral Therapy

can help

Treatment for adults can help with:

 

  • Migraines and Headaches
  • Chronic Neck and Back Pain
  • Stress and Tension Issues
  • Motor-Coodination Impairments
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Post-Concussion Symptoms
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
  • TMJ Issues
  • Scoliosis
  • Central Nervous System Disorders
  • Grief 
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Orthopedic Problems
  • And many other conditions

 

 

Treatment for pediatric patients including all ages from newborns to teenagers can help with: 

 

  • Tongue and lip ties
  • Sensory Processing Disorder
  • Speech Disorders
  • Birth Trauma
  • Torticollis and Plagiocephaly
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • ADD and ADHD
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Chronic Ear Infection
  • Colic/Reflux, Digestive Disorders
  • Connective Tissue Disorders
  • Emotional Difficulties
  • Failure to Thrive
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • Lactation Issues
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Motor-Coordination Impairments
  • Immune Disorders
  • Post Surgical Dysfunction
  • Seizures

Oral and facial issues for both adults and children can be addressed with CranioSacral Therapy.  

 

It is helpful because advanced practitioners are trained to work with TMJ and mouth problems, such as teeth grinding, mouth surgery recovery, and TMJ syndrome. Using very light touch, the practitioner gloves up and helps the inner workings of the mouth to release. Those inner parts include the maxilla, vomer, palatines, TMJ, tongue, and zygomatic bones. I have had the great gift of treating clients with all sorts of mouth conditions. 

What to expect during a CranioSacral Session for an Adult

  • The sessions last for 55 minutes or 85 minutes.

  • It's best to wear comfortable clothing, as you will stay dressed as you came with your shoes off as you lie on a soft padded treatment table. A blanket will be available if you like. 

  • The space is private and relaxing with low light and soft music.

  • First, the therapist begins with a light touch hands on evaluation of different parts of the body and head to locate areas that may need treatment.

  • Followed by treatment of restrictions and compressed areas of your central nervous system and body. 

  • You may experience a deep relaxation response as the nervous system is supported to expand,  decompress and flow more freely. 

  • It is recommended to take time to rest and hydrate, as the healing process continues and your body integrates the changes. 

What to expect during a CranioSacral Session for a Child

  • The first aspect of a session is always safety, and for your child to feel safe. The therapist might start out playing for a bit with your child or talking about things that matter to them to establish a rapport.
  • Then depending on the age of your child we find what works best for them. 
    • For younger children, like toddlers and pre-school aged children, they may sit on the massage table while mom or whoever is with them reads some books to them or plays with some toys. 
    • We might change locations if necessary, like move to the floor. We might also take breaks, so your child can move around for a bit.
  • Some older children may be okay with lying on the massage table while listening to music or while being read to.
  • We make it work for your child, because their comfort and cooperation is key during the session.
  • The therapist will lightly put their hands on your child’s body, bottom of their spine, their neck, head, abdomen or other places. 
  • Then, the therapist will listen through light touch to the internal subtle rhythms in their body to locate areas that need attention. 
  • While your child plays or relaxes, the therapist will perform treatment of restrictions and areas of tension as the nervous system is supported to regulate and calm.

What to expect during a CranioSacral Session with an Infant

  • Craniosacral Therapy is very gentle and involves light contact of the therapist's hands with baby’s body to listen to the subtle internal rhythms. They might hold the bottom of the spine, the neck, belly, their head or other places.
  • Creating safety for your baby first before we start working is very important. 
    • If your baby does not feel safe, he or she will be in a survival state and we won’t be able to help the nervous system shift out of that state. Many times we start a session with you holding your baby and talking for a bit, so he or she can get used to the therapist. 
    • Then we will start lightly touching your baby while on your lap. Then we might progress to the therapist holding your baby or working on a massage table, but only if your baby is comfortable with that.
  • Your therapist can work while your baby is nursing or while you are holding your infant or while your baby is asleep, as well.
  • Craniosacral Therapy tends to be very soothing and often a baby will fall asleep during a session.
  • We allow 55 minutes as a time-frame, but we might not work that entire time. Often, we will work in intervals while your baby is cooperative and we might take some breaks to allow for diaper changes etc.

 

What to expect during an intial session

You will be sent forms to fill out online in advance of the appointment, regarding you or your child's information and other questions about your health and well-being. You will also receive release forms that will need to be completed prior to your or your child's inital session.  You may request paper forms if you prefer.

 

We will discuss you or your child's information for a few minutes.

 

For adults or teenagers: When you are ready, you will lie down on the table and a light touch hands on evaluation will be performed on different parts of your body and head to assess your craniosacral rhythm (the movement of the cerebral spinal fluid), and where there may be issues that need to be addressed. 

 

For children: The evaluation will be completed during and after completing some rapport building and determining where the child will feel the most safe and comfortable with the process (this could be on the massage table, parent's lap, or the floor.)  As with adults a light touch hands on evaluation will be performed on different parts of the body to assess the  craniosacral rhythm (the movement of the cerebral spinal fluid), and where there may be issues that need to be addressed. 

 

If needed, other evaluations may be performed such as measuring your range of motion, muscle strength testing, neurological evaluation, or sensory processing screening. 

 

After that, the treatment portion of the session (described above) would begin.

Ending with follow up to assess you or your child's response to treatment.