CranioSacral Therapy
What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy, or CST, is a gentle, hands-on, full-body approach that helps your body release tension held deep in its tissues, from the nervous system to the organs, fascia, and beyond.
The touch is light, about the weight of a nickel. The work is quiet. And what it asks of you is simple: lie down, relax, and let your body lead.
Photo: light touch at the head
Where it comes from
CST was developed by Dr. John E. Upledger, an osteopathic physician, during years of clinical research at Michigan State University, where he was a professor of biomechanics. He went on to found the Upledger Institute, where I trained.
His work began with the central nervous system. As he continued to develop it, his view widened to the whole body: the fascia that connects everything, the organs, the digestive system, and finally the immune system. The Immune Response series was the last program he was developing before he passed. I’ve trained in it, and it shapes much of my work today.
Dr. Upledger believed each of us carries an inner wisdom: the body’s own knowledge of what it needs to heal. CST is built around listening for that wisdom rather than overriding it.
How it works
Starting at the core, working with the whole body.
Your brain and spinal cord are wrapped in membranes and bathed in fluid that protect and nourish them. Together these are called the craniosacral system, running from the skull (cranium) to the base of the spine (sacrum).
Every day your body absorbs stresses and strains and works to compensate for them. Over time, tissues can tighten and pull on this system. In Dr. Upledger’s model, that tension can make it harder for the nervous system, and everything it connects to, to work at its best.
But the craniosacral system doesn’t work alone. In my training, fascia isn’t just one tissue among many. It’s the entire Physical Body, one continuous network that connects every part of you. So every session is a full-body session, from your feet to your head.
I use a very light touch to feel for the rhythm and ease of motion in your body, and for areas where the tissues feel held. Then I wait, with gentle contact, for the body to soften and release. I don’t force anything. The body does the work; I listen and support it.
Why people come
What brings people to my table
Clients come to me for many reasons. Some are working through something specific. Others simply want to feel more at home in their bodies.
CST isn’t a cure for any condition, and I don’t diagnose. Many of my clients use it alongside care from their doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, or counselor.
- Headaches and migraines
- Neck, back, and shoulder tension
- Jaw tension and TMJ
- Anxiety, stress, and trouble relaxing
- Living with an autoimmune condition
- Physical and emotional trauma, including complex PTSD (CPTSD)
- Recovering from injury or a concussion
- Long-standing pain that hasn’t responded to other care
- Wanting to listen to their body and prevent problems
The research
My perspective on the research
I’m a practitioner, not a researcher. Research on CranioSacral Therapy is still growing, and scientists continue to debate how it works. I follow it with interest.
On the blog, I share my perspective on new studies and on Dr. Upledger’s ideas, through the lens of the 4 Bodies and what I see on my table. I always link the original so you can read it for yourself.
When CST isn’t the right choice
Because CST can cause small changes in pressure inside the skull, it isn’t recommended for conditions where that could be unsafe, such as an acute aneurysm, a recent bleed in the brain, or a severe bleeding disorder.
If you have a serious medical condition or you’re unsure, please check with your doctor first and tell me before your session.
Curious what it feels like?
See what happens during a session, or how I bring my own approach to the work.