What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, hands on therapy that works via subtle cranial touch. It is an off shoot of traditional Osteopathy, developed when a pioneering osteopath looked deeper into the subtle movements of the bones beneath his hands.
It is a hands-on body work that moves to activate the client’s own unique, innate healing abilities creating lasting, sustainable change. CranioSacral Therapy supports the body’s innate ability to balance, restore and heal itself together with working to reduce stress and build the body’s underlying energy. Tensions in the body are helped to release in a supported and comforting way.
During or after a session, a client may feel calm and energised with an increased clarity of mind and a feeling of well-being.
How can I support you?
Pregnancy
& postnatal
A holistic approach to physical, mental and emotional support is wonderful to use during pregnancy and childbirth. It can reduce and alleviate pregnancy related symptoms by addressing stress and trauma, balancing hormones and the nervous system.
Newborn
& early years
Babies and small children appreciate the way that CranioSacral Therapy speaks to them. It is a non-verbal language that they respond to particularly well. Our sessions can work to promote family bonding, establish breastfeeding, develop sleep patterns, and investigating problems such as colic, reflux & allergies.
Older children
& adults
CranioSacral Therapy works to improve behavioural issues, concentration and to reduce symptoms of hyperactivity, ADHD, anxiety and emotional overload. Physical ailments, digestive problems, repeat infections and poor recovery respond positively to the gentle touch.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A SESSION
As a holistic practitioner, during our first session, I will take a written case history, listening with care for the reasons given for the visit. This is an important part of the session, both for gathering information and to establish understanding and trust, building a relationship between me as therapist and you as client. I will then make a recommendation of the course of action for treatment. This might include CranioSacral Therapy, Homoeopathic or HomeoBotanical remedies, lifestyle and dietary advice or a combination of all three.
For CranioSacral Therapy, we will then move to a treatment couch, either face up or side lying, or alternatively a session can be carried out in a seated position if mobility is compromised. You will remain clothed throughout our session, although shoes and accessories such as large earrings, necklaces and glasses are removed for comfort.
I will then initiate light contact, usually with the head, base of spine and other ‘listening stations’ around the body. Contact is always negotiated and pressure and touch adjusted if needed. You will feel your body begin to relax and make the adjustments it needs, because the body functions as a whole. I may be drawn to focus on areas other than where symptoms are felt, maintaining a wide focus whilst still remaining in contact with the whole.
The sessions traditionally last for an hour, although this varies based on need. Children respond quite quickly so less hands-on time may be required. After the session, there is occasionally a short period of adjustment as part of the healing process. You may become more aware of symptoms or areas of discomfort. These may be short lived, clearing to leave a sense of ease.
Some people have reported relief after only one or two sessions. For longer-standing problems, further sessions may be needed. Some people find they benefit from regular treatment over an extended period of time and say that, as well as noticing improvement in their physical or emotional symptoms, they feel they have more awareness of their own needs and strengths, their coping mechanism has improved together with quality of life.
