What is Craniosacral Therapy (CST)?

Developed by John Upledger, Doctor of Osteopathy, CST is a light-touch, non-invasive therapeutic approach to healing through the evaluation and treatment of the Craniosacral System: the soft tissue and fluid that protect your brain and spinal cord. It provides relief of pain and dysfunction for many sensory, motor, and neurological disorders by supporting the body’s innate self-healing abilities.

What are the benefits?

CST can create dramatic improvements in your health by releasing patterns of tension stored deep within the body. The Craniosacral System houses and protects the brain and spinal cord which make up the central nervous system, the control board of your entire body and therefore the most influential component affecting the health and well-being of the body. Stresses endured by the body on a daily basis eventually begin to affect the central nervous system, which in turn affects all other body systems. Patterns of stress and tension can be stored within the body for a lifetime, if not given the acknowledgment and opportunity to release.

Through the gentle manipulation of the bones and membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord, CST releases those deep-seated tensions, allowing the body to fully relax and make self-corrections, which is exactly what the body is designed to do! By freeing the central nervous system to operate in an optimum state, CST naturally eliminates pain and stress, strengthens your immune system, and enhances your overall sense of well-being.

What can I expect from a CST session?

You will remain fully clothed during the session, so it is recommended to wear comfortable clothing that allows for freedom of movement.

The therapist will use a gentle pressure, usually no more than 5 grams (the weight of a nickel) to test for and release restrictions in the Craniosacral System and will sit or stand positioned at various points of your head, torso, and feet. Other techniques are used to gently unwind and align the fascia (the continuous web of connective tissue found throughout the body). CST does not focus solely on the site of pain or dysfunction, but evaluations the entire body to find the source of the problem.

What you experience from your own session is highly individualized. Most people find receiving CST to be deeply relaxing. You may experience varying sensations such as heat, coolness, tingling, twitching, pulsing, or numbness throughout your body as it begins to unwind and release tensions. You may feel emotion. You may even recall circumstances surrounding a past trauma or injury that caused your body stress. While it doesn’t occur in every session, this aspect of the process is perfectly normal. After the session, you may feel energized or very relaxed. It is common for improvements to continue for weeks after the session.

Who can receive Craniosacral Therapy?

Because CST is so gentle and non-invasive, it’s virtually risk-free and people of all ages can benefit. There are certain situations where CST is not recommended, including any physiological condition in which slight changes in intracranial pressure could cause instability, such as recent cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, or acute aneurysm.

What conditions does Craniosacral Therapy support?

• Migraines

• Chronic neck & back pain

• Post-concussion syndrome

• TMJ dysfunction

• Anxiety

• Autism**

• Sinus problems

• Chronic fatigue

• Sleep disorders, including insomnia

• Fibromyalgia

• ADD/ADHD

• Depression

• Brain & spinal cord injuries

• Dyslexia

• Post-surgical support

• CNS disorders

• Stress and tension related disorders

• Orthopedic problems

• Post-traumatic stress disorders

• Immune Support

• Learning disabilities

• Earaches, vertigo, dizziness

• And many other conditions

** Please note that there is no claim here that autism is or is not a disease or disorder, but rather, that CST can support autistic people who may be looking for increased embodiment, stress reduction, and general ease.