As we go through life, beginning with birth, our bodies store “traumas” as restrictions in the fascia, dural membranes and other tissues. This limits its movement and therefore restricts skeletal movement in response to the flow. These stored traumas can be the result of repetitive use, emotional experiences, injury or even normal daily stressors of life. All these factors can build up over time and contribute to us feeling unwell, exhausted and run-down. We go into our survival fight or flight mode more often than we think causing our system to contract and tighten, breathing becoming quicker and thinking clearly more difficult. Craniosacral therapy (CST) facilitates the letting go of these held traumas in order to restore normal rhythm. Although it’s comprised of the central nervous system from skull to sacrum, it can be palpated and therefore treated at any joint.
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What is Craniosacral therapy?
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Craniosacral therapy is an ancient modality that supports the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Its power is in its gentleness and ability to elevate our overall well-being, which makes it an incredible resource for sustainable, mind-body balance .A form of non manipulative cranial osteopathy, using gentle, hands on techniques that release traumas held in the body.
Operating as its own physiological system, the craniosacral (CS) system is essentially the ebb and flow of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord as it’s produced and reabsorbed in a semi-closed hydraulic system. This creates a subtle wave of rhythmic expansion and contraction of the body as it pulses, called craniosacral motion.
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How does craniosacral therapy work?
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A typical treatment begins with my patient lying down. First, I feel the rhythm at various points in the body to assess the rate, amplitude, symmetry and quality of the pulse for any abnormalities. This directs me to where in the body tension is being held. I then work with the body to facilitate the letting go of layers of physical or emotional restrictions in the fascia and other tissues. This is an allowing technique rather than a forcing. The held trauma begins to release from the tissues through my specific hand placement, intention and direction of energy. Once the block of tension is removed, it allows the affected structures to slowly start to move into more optimal alignment. It’s always the body letting go, and I follow as it softly unwinds. Because the fascia is one continuous piece of connective tissue from head to toe, addressing limitations in one area can free up movement in another.
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What does it feel like?
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Often there’s heat or vibration as the tissues release and unwind. Patients are frequently amazed that it’s their own body creating the heat or movement — not my hands. Because the fascia is continuous, you may experience sensation (or release) in a different area of the body that is being directly treated. It’s a very relaxing experience which resets your nervous system and will continue to process over the course of a few days — all allowing the body to self-correct. Everyone’s experience afterwards is unique, but often an increase in water intake, rest and/or emotional release techniques are needed to aid in processing and healing.
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What conditions does craniosacral therapy address?
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It is especially beneficial in treating headaches, musculoskeletal injuries, neck/back/pelvic pain, joint inflammation or lack of range of motion, as well as stress, anxiety and sleep pattern issues. However, I truly believe anyone can benefit because we all use our bodies daily and thus build up emotional tension. I’ve yet to find a person with a body (experiencing symptoms or not) without imbalances or restrictions. Often they are unaware, and typically don’t become aware, until it’s expressed as physical discomfort or disease.
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What should I expect from a craniosacral therapy session?
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All sessions begin with an assessment of posture, alignment and craniosacral rhythm. I typically focus on the core and pelvis to start, as everything stems from there, while also addressing specific areas (as needed). I use gentle, light touch to allow structures to come into alignment — releasing muscle tension, scar tissue and acupuncture meridians. Although gentle and relaxing, the techniques do facilitate a release deep into the tissues.
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Fees
Craniosacral Therapy Initial treatment 90 mins: €70
Follow up 60mins: €60
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