Cranio-Sacral Therapy

What is CST?

A natural way of helping our bodies rest and recover, Cranio-Sacral Therapy (CST) is unique in it’s ability to help with a wide range of conditions and situations whether physical, emotional or mental. The therapy is soft and yet profound.

Craniosacral Therapy supports our body’s innate ability to balance, restore and heal ourself, as well as helping to reduce stress and build up underlying energy. Addressing root causes for comprehensive health restoration. The practitioner helps kick start the healing mechanism by a very light, gentle touch (a way to have a dialogue with the body), and senses tensions in the body and helps to release them in a supported and comfortable way.

This therapy is beneficial for individuals seeking relief from stress, pain, and emotional tension, promoting holistic health. Physical pain like lower back pain, shoulder pain and neck pain are also very helpful.

Video courtesy of The Craniosacral Therapy Association

From Cranium to Sacrum

The Cranio-sacral System spans from the cranium (skull) down to the sacrum (tailbone), enveloping the central nervous system. Since the nervous system controls all voluntary and involuntary functions in the body, maintaining the balance and integrity of this system is crucial for health. CST gently works with these core structures—the cranio and spine bones, the protective membranes, and the cerebrospinal fluid—to promote optimal nervous system function.

Fascia Unwinding

The Fascia is a continuous, three-dimensional web of connective tissue that wraps around and supports every structure in your body—muscles, organs, nerves, and bones. Healthy fascia is supple and facilitates smooth movement. However, physical injury or chronic emotional tension can cause it to become stiff and restricted, leading to pain and reduced mobility. Through gentle, sustained touch, CST facilitates Fascial Unwinding, helping to relieve physical pain and trauma often embedded within the tissue. Fascia is also a large sensory organ, rich with nerve receptors that contribute to our overall body awareness.

Within the body, dynamic life forces are expressed as subtle, rhythmic motions—often referred to as the craniosacral rhythm or the body's energy field. CST practitioners are trained to observe and engage with these rhythmic motions. By gently working with the body's energy field, the therapist acts as an observer and witness, accompanying the client to foster a deep connection between body and mind, which is essential for the progression of the healing process and restoration of internal balance.

Energy field of the body

Who could benefit

CST is non-invasive and never imposing or forcing, and the intention is that the treatment is directed by the client’s body and its needs.

CST is appropriate for all ages, from newborn babies to the elderly and can be used through pregnancy.

People may come for Craniosacral Therapy because they have acute physical problems or long- standing problems both physical and emotional. People may also come for ongoing support in their busy lives and for support to meet life’s challenges.

How does it carry out

CST is most often carried out with the patient lying down, fully clothed (preferably clothed loosely, not jeans), in a quiet and peaceful environment. Treatment involves a very gentle touch of the practitioner’s hands on the Cranium (head) the Sacrum (tail-bone) the feet, the trunk, or any other part of the body as appropriate.

Treatment is generally experienced as a profound relaxation and reintegration which may pervade the whole person, physically, mentally and emotionally, often accompanied by a feeling of lightness and ease.

What to Expect During a Session

Everyone's body is different, and the reaction to treatment is unique. We encourage clients to approach the session without expectation, allowing the mind to quiet so the body's wisdom can be heard. Common experiences during or after a session include:

· Awareness of sensations such as heat, tingling, or subtle pulsations as changes occur.

· The release of old pain or trauma stored in "muscle memory."

· Gentle, involuntary movements, twitches, or shaking as tensions release.

· Emotional releases, such as crying, as sadness or grief are processed.

· A profound feeling of being deeply heard, held, and supported.

· Post-session feelings of deep relaxation, balance, and ease.

· A sense of relief, lightness, and quiet joy.