What You Should Know Before Receiving Craniosacral Therapy

Any form of bodywork, whether physical or energetically based, both in giving and receiving, is highly subjective and personalized. While one receiving client may feel absolutely nothing from a session of craniosacral work, another may have a profound, healing experience, even from the same therapist.

Such is the nature of bodywork. It can be seen as a relationship between the client and therapist, the experience dependent upon a melding of expectation, belief, disbelief, need, personalities, and a host of things.

In ten years of bodywork experience, I have found that certain modalities tend to be quite effective for many people of greatly varying personalities. Craniosacral work is at the top of that list. Below are some ideas, suggestions, and notes about this type of bodywork.

What is it?

Craniosacral work relies on the theory that the system containing the cerebrospinal fluid (that is, the head and spinal system) is affected by subtle, natural movements of the cranial bones and spinal column. A craniosacral therapist then, seeks to adjust and balance these movements with various gentle, specifically designed hand placements or "holds."

With these hand placements, the therapist is both palpating to seek disturbances in the rhythmic pulsations of the system, (referred to as "waves" or "tides") and directly engaging withthem, by extreme subtle physical means, and "intention."

It is often said that craniosacral therapy is "energy work on a physical system." In my experience, I have found that to be true, as well as the opposite-physical work on an energetic system.

In correcting the rhythm, there is the idea that with this restoration, lies renewed health and balance, due to the proper flow of the cerebrospinal fluid and correct movements of the bones.

What it's like

The experience of receiving the work itself is quite pleasant, very relaxing. Oftentimes, clients report feeling positively entranced or otherwise "altered" during a session. Craniosacral work can be powerful and profound. I have had clients dealing with issues of severe, chronic pain schedule craniosacral sessions, just for the hour of pain free relief it brought.

Clients also have reported emotional and psychological clarity and resolve with both acute and long-standing issues.

Critics and skeptics of craniosacral work may argue that the notion of just relaxing on a table while someone is completely focused on one's healing is nothing more than placebo. To that I say, bring on the placebo, then! Natural medicine actually seeks the so-called "placebo effect," as it intends to stimulate the body's own response for healing.

The goal is to get to get to the healing in whatever non-harmful way possible. For many people, and for whatever reason, craniosacral therapy fits this bill perfectly.

Why choose craniosacral work?

Craniosacral work is indicated for many reasons. Because it's performed while the client is fully clothed, and doesn't employ intense physical manipulation, it is great for anyone who may be uncomfortable with or unable to receive traditional bodywork.

Craniosacral work may be indicated for people recovering from surgery, or children, elderly, injured, or otherwise compromised people.

That being said, craniosacral therapy is not just a substitute for regular bodywork. It effectively helps with issues such as insomnia, hyperactivity, vertigo, depression, TMJ issues, migraines, fibromyalgia, chronic fatique syndrome, back pain, and sciatica. There are many other indicated conditions as well, but in my own experience, the ones named above are extremely responsive to craniosacral work.

In addition, craniosacral work is great for regular health maintenance, especially for clients who find a general affinity with the treatment.

A couple final notes here, about the terminology and practitioners-craniosacral therapy is often referred to as CranioSacral, cranial sacral, cranial, CST, and cranial osteopathy (antiquated and rare.)

Massage therapists and chiropractors are the most common practitioners of craniosacral therapy, but osteopaths, RNs, MDs, PAs, and other qualified professionals may also offer it.

When selecting a therapist, I recommend asking a question about their experience in palpating the waves or tides. I have come across practitioners who cannot feel these, and although it's my personal opinion, appropriate treatment cannot be attained without this dynamic.