Craniosacral therapy is a subtle and profound healing form which assists the body's natural capacity for self-repair.
In a typical craniosacral session, you will usually lie (or sometimes sit) fully-clothed on a treatment table. The therapist will make contact by placing their hands lightly on your body and tuning in to what is happening by ‘listening’ with their hands. Contact is made carefully so that you will feel at ease with what is happening.
The first thing you will probably notice is a sense of deep relaxation, which will generally last throughout the session. With subsequent treatments this release of tension often extends into everyday life. The work can address physical aches and pains, acute and chronic disease, emotional or psychological disturbances, or simply help to develop well-being, health and vitality.
Craniosacral therapy is so gentle that it is suitable for babies, children, and the elderly, as well as adults and people in fragile or acutely painful conditions. Treatment can aid almost any condition, raising vitality and improving the body's capacity for self-repair.
Some of the conditions successfully worked with are:

Arthritis

Asthma

Autism

Back pain

Birth trauma

Bronchitis

Cerebral Palsy

Colic

Depression

Digestive problems

Drug withdrawal

Dyslexia

Exhaustion

Fall or injury

Frozen shoulder

Hormonal imbalances

Hyperactivity

Immune system disorders

Insomnia

Lethargy

Menstrual pain, PMS

Migraine

Post-operative conditions

Problems during and after pregnancy

Re-integration after accidents

Sciatica

Sinusitis

Spinal curvatures

Sports injuries

Stress related illnesses

Tinnitus and middle ear problems

TMJ (jaw) disorders

Visual disturbances

Whiplash injuries

 Sometimes the benefits are not immediately noticeable but become obvious on returning to a familiar environment. The work can involve resolution of past events and is often profoundly relaxing, deeply moving and exhilarating.
Craniosacral therapy developed from the work of an American osteopath, Dr William Sutherland in the early 1900s. He discovered intrinsic movements of the bones in the head and his further research revealed different rhythms in the body. As a result of detailed clinical observation it has become clear that these movements, which can be measured with delicate scientific instruments, are a direct expression of health and offer a way of working with the physical as well as the more subtle aspects of life. Dr John Upledger has further refined the technique and is instrumental in its growth as profound healing modality.
Further observation showed that these movements are also inextricably linked with mental and emotional health. Restriction of movement corresponds to a reduction of the natural capacity to self-heal. Using the hands to feel these movements allows craniosacral therapists to facilitate change in areas of restriction. A limitation or absence of the movements implies a reduction in the expression of health which may result in, for example, numbness, a sense of something missing or disease.
Craniosacral therapy has developed from clinical experience, which shows that health is something active and not just an absence of disease. It is the expression of life, responsible for the organization of the millions of things that are constantly happening in the body. Craniosacral therapy supports health in the body. It helps increase physical vitality and well-being not only effecting structural change but also having much wider implications, emotionally and spiritually. The resulting increased sense of well-being can help with many aspects of life from strengthening the immune system to improving interpersonal relationships.


Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of craniosacral therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy has a very high success rate. Most practitioners find that around 85% of clients are happy with the results of the work. Benefits can come in a variety of ways:

Increased sense of relaxation

Improvement of the symptoms you came to see the practitioner about. Quite simply, you get better

Improvement of other symptoms. For example, someone coming for treatment for a bad back can find that, as well as their back pain easing, the migraines they have had for years have got better too

Change in behavior patterns, leading to an improvement in relationships with friends, family, colleagues, etc

Greater capacity to manage life in general

Better management of specific disease symptoms

Reduced stress

Improvement of psychological issues

Reduction of effects of past trauma

Improved sense of well-being

What does it actually feel like?

Most people find cranial sessions pleasant and relaxing. People often talk of feeling as if they have "had their batteries charged". Sometimes people feel tingling or numbing sensations or they may experience momentary pain related to past events. When this settles the net result is one of feeling better. People often feel as if things are reorganizing inside them or as if a weight has been lifted from their shoulders.

What does a treatment involve?

The client usually lies (or sometimes sits) fully-clothed on a comfortable treatment table. The therapist makes contact by placing their hands lightly on the client's body and tuning in to what is happening by ‘listening’ with their hands. Contact is made carefully so that the patient feels at ease with what is happening.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions required depends entirely on the condition being treated. Acute injury and disease states can benefit enormously from 2 - 6 sessions; with chronic debilitating disease or severe injury, it is usually necessary to work for longer in order to develop well-being and skills of managing symptoms, as well as dealing with symptoms directly.

Will treatments help if I have no particular symptoms?

Yes, many people find that craniosacral therapy helps them feel better and enjoy life more. Their energy levels improve and they are able to deal with everyday stress more positively. People often find it easier to fight off minor infections, and regular treatments may help prevent more serious conditions from developing in the future.

What is the interval between sessions?

Initially sessions are usually a week to two weeks apart. With long-term treatment the frequency of sessions usually reduces.

How safe is Craniosacral Therapy?

The light touch used in Craniosacral Therapy means that it is one of the safest therapeutic forms. It is a non-directive, non-analytical, non-invasive approach - essentially the art of listening and enabling the body to heal itself.

Is it head massage?

No. Because of the name, craniosacral therapy, people often think that it concerns only the head and spine. CST is not a form of head massage although contact is made with the head in most sessions.

I'm interested but skeptical - do I have to believe in it for it to work?

It helps to have an open mind, but the benefits of craniosacral therapy are not dependent upon faith in the treatment.

What is the difference between Craniosacral Therapy and Cranial Osteopathy?

Craniosacral therapists study cranial work exclusively. Most craniosacral therapy courses last two years. Cranial osteopaths train initially in osteopathy, a more mechanical approach, and then do postgraduate training in cranial work of variable length.
Craniosacral work tends to be integrated with psychotherapeutic understanding, theory and practice. There is a variable amount of overlap between individual approaches in the two professions. To get a fuller picture, talk to a practitioner to find if their attitude and approach is suitable for your needs.

How would you sum up the effects of craniosacral therapy?

Craniosacral therapy improves people's quality of life in general as well as helping with specific problems. It can help you recover from the results of accidents, falls and strains as well as diseases. Psychological and traumatic conditions can also be helped. Cranial work can reduce stress and improve the functioning of the immune system.

Craniosacral Therapy with Babies & Children