What is Craniosacral Therapy (CST)?
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle yet profound hands-on form of treatment that helps the body to heal itself. It uses very light touch to listen and respond to the body’s needs, providing relief from physical pain and emotional stress and helping raise vitality. It is suitable for people of all ages, from babies to the elderly, and can help in both chronic and acute conditions.
Working with the underlying health in the body, Craniosacral Therapy treats the whole person rather than treating a particular symptom or condition, and encourages the body to release the source of pain or disturbance.
How can Craniosacral Therapy Help me?
CST is often found to be beneficial :
For Adults
- Helping with many conditions such as back and bone/joint pain, headaches, chronic fatigue, digestive problems and hormonal imbalances.
- Promoting recovery in fragile conditions, such as after a fall, an accident or injury as well as from the effects of anaesthesia, operation or dental work, enabling the body to readjust and restore energy levels.
- Addressing the long-term impact of severe shock and trauma such as a car crash, physical and emotional abuse, war, natural disaster or any other cause. It integrates the body’s innate resources, facilitating the safe release of trauma and the rediscovery of wholeness.
- Helping relieve stress and increase vitality.
For Babies and Children
• Helping resolve many of the common problems associated with a baby’s early life experience such as colic, feeding problems, reflux, breathing difficulties, and irritability
• Helping settle restless babies and promoting good sleep patterns.
• Facilitating the release of the imprint of a difficult or traumatic birth process (compressive forces in the birth canal, caesarean section, birth medications and other interventions).
• Supporting the child’s physical and emotional needs, helping lay the foundations for future health and well-being and a positive response to life.
It is extremely gentle and entirely non-invasive. Babies can be treated while asleep or feeding or being cuddled by their mother. Older children can play with their parents while being treated.
During pregnancy
- Supporting the mother physically and emotionally as her body changes, helping to balance her nervous and hormonal systems.
- Encouraging the body to relax and reduce tension, while assisting in preparing for a more comfortable and positive birth experience.
- Promoting recovery from the physical exertions of the birth process. Assisting the mother in rebalancing her nervous and hormonal systems.
- Enhancing the body’s ability to release the effects of interventions such as epidurals and other birth medications.
- Helping raise vitality so the mother feels more energised to look after her baby’s needs.
- Promoting optimum health and well-being.
- Helping increase energy levels, supporting the body’s ability to cope with life’s challenges.
How does it work?
What does a Craniosacral treatment involve?
Treatment is most often carried out with the patient lying down, fully clothed. The therapist’s hands make gentle contact with the head, the feet, the base of the spine or other areas of the body as appropriate. The experience is often profoundly relaxing; you may feel a gentle pulsing, heat, tingling or other sensations as your body begins to relax and rebalance. Your body will determine the priority and pace of work so that you remain in control and able to integrate what you are experiencing.
A CST session usually lasts up to one hour. People often report relief after just one or two sessions, but a series of treatments may be recommended, depending on your body’s needs.