What is Craniosacral Therapy (CST)?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on treatment that may provide relief from a variety of symptoms including headaches, neck pain, and side effects of cancer treatment among many others.

CST uses a light touch to relieve tension in the central nervous system promoting a feeling of well-being by eliminating pain and boosting health and immunity.

The focus of CST is a gentle placement of hands to assist the release of the body’s connective tissue, or “fascia.” Fascia (Latin word for “band”) is a covering found throughout the body including organs, glands, nerves, muscles, blood vessels, brain, and spinal cord. This covering forms a body-wide connective network. CST is based on the idea that the body is interrelated or connected at all levels.

CST is thought to improve the efficiency of biological processes through boosting inherent self-regulation, self-correction, and self-healing. The therapy can be used successfully with children and adults.

What conditions may Craniosacral Therapy (CST) help?

• Chronic pain.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Migraine headache.
• Complex regional pain syndrome.
• Fascial adhesions.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Neuralgia.
• Neurodegenerative diseases.
• Temporo-mandibular joint syndrome.
• Stroke.
• Post-concussion syndrome.
• Speech impairment.
• Epilepsy.

What can I expect from a Craniosacral Therapy (CST) session?

The treatment session begins with a consultation with your trained therapist to identify troubled areas. Soft music and low lighting are often used to increase your state of relaxation.

The therapist uses gentle pressure techniques to assess the existence of possible disruptions and/or restrictions in your fascial system. Light touch and fascial release may help your muscles and organs naturally relieve stress, which improves function. Other patients often report feeling a sense of deep relaxation.

Is Craniosacral Therapy right for everyone?

CST can benefit almost everyone. With a few conditions, however, craniosacral therapy may not be appropriate and you’ll need to talk with your CST practitioner and physician.

Your session needs to wait if you have experienced any of the following and have NOT been released for treatment by your physician:

• Recent concussion.
• Cerebral swelling.
• Structural defects in the cerebellum such as Arnold-Chiari malformation.
• Brain aneurysm.
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Blood clots.
• Any disorder that causes instability of cerebral fluid pressure, flow, or build-up.

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