peace through presence intuitive massage and bodywork
craniosacral therapy
​craniosacral therapy is steadily gaining more and more popularity as one of the most effective and rewarding manual therapies and bodywork modalities - and for good reason! craniosacral rests on the idea that the body is its own best healer, but sometimes it needs a little reminder of how powerful it is! it is a slower, less forceful healing modality that offers deep, lasting results for a variety of ailments and pains.
craniosacral therapy roots
often misrepresented and mislabeled under the woo-woo category of "energy work," craniosacral therapy actually finds its roots in western osteopathic medicine, based on clinical hypotheses and observations.
dr. john upledger
the most common method, albeit a bit more mechanical in design, was created in the 1970s by dr. john upledger, an osteopathic md who, while assisting with a spinal surgery, observed a rhythm or motion separate and unique from the pulse and respiration - he was able to make this distinction due to the machines monitoring the patient's vitals - which he came to call (as william sutherland before him, without any of the assistance of modern machines) the breath of life. he theorized that this unique rhythm was the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid throughout the craniosacral system - consisting of the bones, nerves, and muscles of the cranium, spine, and sacrum - and that many, if not all, of our dysfunctions and ailments originate and manifest from within these structures. upledger's work focused on a more biomechanical approach, likely as a means to gain more common acceptance in the western medical community of the time.
franklyn sills
​a notable take on craniosacral therapy was developed by franklyn sills in the late eighties and nineties, which he coined biodynamic craniosacral therapy, based on the more biodynamic nature of the work and system as a whole that william sutherland and andrew still theorized and observed in the late 19th century.
what is craniosacral therapy?
​craniosacral therapy consists of a series of holding patterns of the cranium (skull), spine, and sacrum. (upledger's approach is a bit more rigid, following a 10-step protocol, whereas sills' biodynamic approach is a bit more flexible and attuned to how the body is presenting.) it is light-touch modality, sometimes referred to as "still work" that uses a nickel's-worth of pressure (wait! before you think, "if i'm paying a pretty penny i want deep work!" hang on).
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tuning in
by tuning in to the natural rhythms of the body, specifically the tides and flow of cerebrospinal fluid within the craniosacral system, practitioners begin to sink into some of the deepest possible levels any bodywork modality can reach. the reason for the subtle pressure is to allow the body and central nervous system (cns) to disarm and settle into a parasympathetic state, or "rest-and-digest." working with, holding space, rather than pushing and forcing, the body begins to unwind itself and relax, dropping into a state of optimal being where healing can begin to happen.
unwinding
sometimes the unwinding is small, little jitters or shakes, flashes of color behind closed eyes. sometimes big things happen, bodies shift, emotions run, visions and insights come up and out.
craniosacral therapy results
​often the results of a session are deep relaxation and renewed vitality or clarity. this can last a few hours or up to a few days after treatment. sometimes insights are reached, and other times thoughts flow freely, without attachment or worry (sleep is often on the menu as well!). not to mention chronic and acute pain dissipates, sometimes even after a single session. working with the cns, craniosacral therapy redrafts the conversations between brain and body, helping to bring parts of us out of the "fight-or-flight" state that is constantly buzzing around and into our spheres.
positive effects
craniosacral therapy has a vast draw of empirical and anecdotal evidence supporting its positive effects with a variety of ailments and conditions, such as:
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chronic fatigue
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headaches and migraines
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back pain and neck pain
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sciatica or sciatic nerve pain
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nerve disorders
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tmj pain
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depression and anxiety
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carpal tunnel syndrome
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sensory processing disorders
