A Light Touch That Reaches Deep Into the Nervous System

How Craniosacral Therapy Works

Few structures influence the body's ability to function as much as the brain and spinal cord — the central nervous system. That system is, in turn, heavily influenced by the craniosacral system: the membranes and fluid that surround, protect, and nourish the brain and spinal cord.

Everyday stresses and strains can cause tissues to tighten and distort the craniosacral system, creating tension around the brain and spinal cord that restricts the healthy performance of the nervous system — and everything it connects to.

Using a light touch, I evaluate the craniosacral system by feeling for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid as it pulses around the brain and spinal cord, then use soft-touch techniques to release restrictions in the tissues influencing that system.

How a Treatment Works

CST theory is based on the continuous, subtle movement of the cranial bones — a rhythm of roughly six to twelve cycles per minute, understood as a response to cerebrospinal fluid fluctuations within the spinal cord and brain. That subtle movement extends outward to the whole body.

Working with the whole body — spine, skull, cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia — I use my hands as fine, discriminating tools to detect disturbances in the craniosacral rhythm and identify areas of restriction.

A treatment works in the following ways:

• Helps restore normal cranial mobility
• Releases abnormal myofascial restrictions and tension in the body
• Releases abnormal restrictions in the head
• Eases restrictions of nerves
• Optimizes cerebrospinal fluid movement through the central nervous system
• Helps restore misaligned bones to their proper position — supporting the head, back, neck, hips, shoulders, arms, hands, knees, and feet

Clients remain clothed throughout, and treatments are generally about an hour long.