What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that supports the body’s natural ability to release tension and restore balance.
Craniosacral therapy works directly with the craniosacral system—the bones, connective tissue, membranes, and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Through palpation and deep listening, the practitioner gently encourages your body to restore its natural rhythm, unwind tension patterns, and find more ease.
History of CST
Craniosacral Therapy is a constantly evolving field. It has its roots in osteopathic medicine, founded in the late 1800s by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. Still developed osteopathy with influence from his Western medical training and Shawnee healing traditions, which emphasized harmony, natural rhythms, and the body’s innate capacity to heal.
One of Still’s students, Dr. William Garner Sutherland, went on to explore the subtle movements of the cranial bones and developed what became known as cranial osteopathy. Later, in the 1970s, Dr. John Upledger expanded and refined this approach, coining the term “Craniosacral Therapy,” and opening the work to practitioners outside of osteopathy, such as massage therapists, physical therapists, and other hands-on providers.
Since then, different schools of Craniosacral work have developed, including Upledger (CST), Biodynamic (BCST), and others — each with its own emphasis and philosophy.
My Style
My style is primarily influenced by the Upledger style of Craniosacral, with other elements unique to my teachers. The work is both systematic and intuitive. It is also collaborative; my goal is to connect to the client’s inner wisdom and let it lead the sessions.
My Scope of Practice
I am in the early stages of my CST training and currently offering CST to adults (16+) who aren’t pregnant. While I don’t yet practice with babies or children, I can refer you to local providers who specialize in those populations.
How CST Helps
Craniosacral Therapy can have wide-reaching effects because the craniosacral system influences the central nervous system and, through it, the entire body. Clients often seek CST for support with:
- Stress, tension, anxiety, and depression
- Headaches and migraines
- Chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Jaw pain /TMJD
- Painful periods
- Whiplash
- Sleep disturbance
- Grief
- Life transitions
What to Expect
You will remain fully clothed unless we are combining massage with your Craniosacral session, which is why I suggest you wear a cozy outfit. You will typically lie face-up on a treatment table, however positioning on your side or in a seat is available if needed for comfort.
During the session you will feel gentle contact along the feet, legs, hips, sacrum, spine, head, and face. I will communicate with you about comfort, hand placement, and to check in. Receiving Craniosacral is a restful experience for most clients. You may simply feel relaxed, or you may become aware of the shifts happening in your system. Many clients enter a hypnagogic state – a deeply relaxed, dreamlike threshold between waking and sleep.
Emotional Release
Craniosacral therapy, like many types of bodywork, can help bring consciousness to the emotional/energetic roots of a physical symptom.
If you start to feel emotions like sadness, grief, or anger during the session, that’s a wonderful sign that your body is feeling safe enough to transmute energy it’s been holding onto.
You are welcome to speak up and let me know. I will ask if you’d like to stay with what is arising, or “change the subject” so to speak, and move on to another area. If we stay with it, I will encourage you to be present in your body and track the sensations you are feeling. You are free to express what arises: sound, movement, tears, etc., are welcome and encouraged.