Craniosacral Therapy

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle manual therapy for relieving pain and releasing tension and restrictions deep within the body. Craniosacral Therapy (CST) can improve a number of one-off health complaints and is a very beneficial therapy for chronic and persistent problems.

Beginning with the client’s physical symptoms, this soft tissue treatment, addresses the physical body stresses and any underlying blockages that may be underpinning the pain experienced. Gentle contact is made to examine the innate bodily rhythms, the movement of the bones and the surrounding soft tissues, locating restrictions, adhesion's, fascial pulls and any holding patterns in the body resulting from injury, illness, physical trauma, emotional stress or otherwise.

With slow movements any muscular contractions patterns, spasmed muscles, pain, tension, restrictions, compression's, blockages or accumulated life stresses are released, enhancing the functioning of the craniosacral system.

The craniosacral system, includes the bones of the face, skull, spine and sacrum as well as the fluids and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which houses our central nervous system. All these elements pulsate in a symmetrical rhythmic motion in our body.

Accidents, illness, inflammation, accumulated life stresses, tension, trauma, surgery or poor posture can unbalance these elements and cause our connective tissue to become tight, tense and inflexible. These patterns are reflected through the craniosacral rhythm as disturbances, blockages or restrictions. These abnormalities manifest in our bones, body fluids and bodily tissues (fascia). This indicates where there are restrictions, decreased ranges of motion, misalignment's, adhesion's, pain or strains and stresses anywhere in the body.

As a holistic mind-body therapy, CST focuses on the body as a whole: body, mind and spirit and recognises that all structures and functions are related. An imbalance or dysfunction in one part of the body will affect other parts of the body. (Please see my blog: More than our physical body). CST helps to strengthen to the body's natural healing processes by restoring the body's natural balance.

CST is my core modality and I may combine Myofascial release (MFR) into my treatments, which proves to be an excellent addition for cases like whiplash, TMJ, tinnitus, chronic neck and shoulder pain. MFR focuses on the body's fascial system and incorporates gentle prolonged stretching of the body's soft tissues. As tension is released, the nervous system deeply calms and re-balances, allowing for any physical and emotional blockages to be dissolved. I may further incorporate Myofascial Cupping for hip/lower leg problems, chronic pain and myofascial pain syndrome to release and oxygenate really tightened down fascia.

I have experience with niggling discomforts and in particular with persistent and chronic conditions such as:

Neck, back and shoulder pain,
Muscular aches, stiffness and Inflammation
Headaches, migraines, concussion, whiplash
Ear ringing (please click further), vertigo,
Post operative recovery: Craniotomy, Hip replacement, Shoulder reconstruction
Painful jaw, TMJ, hip & knee problems,
Nerve pain, chronic pain and fatigue
Arthritis, Rheumatism
Stress & Tension
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Anxiety
Sleeping problems, Insomnia
Digestive disorders
Burnout, Addiction, Depression
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Please see my - Trauma blog and how Cranio can help

This therapeutic approach helps stimulate the body’s natural self-healing intelligence and restores the body’s natural tissue movements to release contractions, deep restrictions, compensation patterns and trauma, improving overall health and well-being.

Osteopath and one of the founders of craniosacral therapy, John Upledger, describes it as working “with natural and unique rhythms of our different body systems to pinpoint and correct source problems.’
For more in-depth information on how cranio works - pls see my blog - The Paradigm Shift
For more information on what to expect during and after a treatment please see - What to expect.

Please see my Clients Testimonials and my Google Reviews under the Sydney Craniosacral Therapy Centre.