Find Holistic Relief With Craniosacral Therapy
Discover the Healing Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy at Richmond Natural Medicine

Are you feeling exhausted or depleted and looking for a gentle way to optimize your health? At Richmond Natural Medicine, we believe in the power of holistic health approaches to foster well-being and restore balance. One of the modalities that we offer is Craniosacral Therapy (CST). This gentle yet profound therapy can be a transformative experience for many, promoting healing and relaxation on multiple levels. Discover the healing benefits of craniosacral therapy!

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy is a subtle and effective form of work that focuses on the craniosacral system, which consists of the cerebrospinal fluid and membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Unlike massage therapy, CST focuses on the central nervous system instead of muscle and other soft tissues in the body. In fact, CST has been found to assist with heart rate variability (HRV), which is an indicator of the health of the autonomic nervous system and correlates to longevity (1). CST gently releases tension held in the body, enhancing the natural healing processes and promoting the body’s ability to self-correct. It addresses imbalances and restrictions of the physical or emotional body that can negatively affect well-being and overall health.  

Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

1. Stress Reduction

CST is known for its calming effects. Many patients experience deep relaxation during sessions, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety. This relaxation response can also lead to improved sleep, emotional balance, and calmness.

2. Pain Relief

Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, headaches/migraines, or tension in your body, CST can alleviate discomfort and promote healing by addressing restrictions in the craniosacral system. Because CST works with the autonomic nervous system, it has the ability to reduce pain.

3. Enhanced Body Awareness

CST encourages patients to tune into their bodies. This heightened awareness can facilitate better self-care practices and improve overall physical and emotional health.

4. Support for Various Conditions

CST can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including (but not limited to) migraines, fibromyalgia, PTSD, low back pain, and even digestive concerns (2-4, 6). And the results and health improvements have been shown to last up to six months (2). Many clients report improvements in their symptoms after just a few sessions.

5. Gentle Approach

One of the most appealing aspects of CST is its gentle nature, and it is suitable for people of all ages (5).

What to Expect During a Session

During your Craniosacral Therapy session, you’ll comfortably lie on your back while the practitioner gently evaluates your craniosacral system. Sessions typically last about an hour, and typically, you will feel the body relax, prompting various sensations, such as warmth or tingling, as areas of tension release and reset. And because the nervous system is resetting, sometimes people fall asleep during their sessions. Each session is tailored to your individual needs, and your practitioner will take the time to understand any specific concerns you may have before your session begins. 

Why Choose Richmond Natural Medicine?

We are committed to providing personalized care in a nurturing environment.  We have several experienced providers trained in Craniosacral Therapy and other holistic modalities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to your health. Our doctors prioritize your comfort and well-being, creating a safe space for healing.

Ready to Experience Craniosacral Therapy?

Experience the gentle healing of CST and discover the difference it can make in your life.  Contact us today to learn more and book your appointment!

 

References:

  1. Cureus. 2024 Jul 18;16(7):e64807. doi: 10.7759/cureus.64807. eCollection 2024 Jul. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39156412/
  2. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019 Dec 31;21(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s12891-019-3017-y.Craniosacral therapy for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31892357/.
  3. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2016 Jan;20(1):42-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.03.006. Epub 2015 Mar 26. Pilot study of the effects of mixed light touch manual therapies on active duty soldiers with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and injury to the head. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26891636/ 
  4. Complement Ther Med. 2012 Dec;20(6):456-65. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2012.07.009. Epub 2012 Aug 22. A systematic review to evaluate the clinical benefits of craniosacral therapy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23131379/ 
  5. Complement Ther Med. 2021 May:58:102702. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102702. Epub 2021 Feb 26. The use and benefits of Craniosacral Therapy in primary health care: A prospective cohort study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33647398/ 
  6. Clin Rehabil. 2011 Jan;25(1):25-35. doi: 10.1177/0269215510375909. Epub 2010 Aug 11. A randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of craniosacral therapy on pain and heart rate variability in fibromyalgia patients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20702514/ 
5 Views0
Craniosacral Therapy

What is CranioSacral Therapy?

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) was developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger, following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics.

CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system – comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.

How does CranioSacral Therapy Work?

The central nervous system (CNS), made up of the brain and spinal cord, have significant influence over much of the body’s ability to function normally.  The CNS is majorly influenced by the craniosacral system.

Your body endures stresses and strains daily that it must work to compensate and adjust for. Unfortunately, these changes often cause body tissues to tighten and distort the craniosacral system. These distortions can then cause tension to form around the brain and spinal cord resulting in restrictions. This can create a barrier to the healthy performance of the central nervous system, and potentially every other system it interacts with.

Fortunately, such restrictions can be detected and corrected using simple methods of touch. With a light touch, the CST practitioner uses his or her hands to evaluate the craniosacral system by gently feeling various locations of the body to test for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid pulsing around the brain and spinal cord. Soft-touch techniques are then used to release restrictions in any tissues influencing the craniosacral system.

By normalizing the environment around the brain and spinal cord and enhancing the body’s ability to self-correct, CranioSacral Therapy is able to alleviate a wide variety of dysfunctions, from chronic pain and sports injuries to fatigue and neurological troubles.

Read More: Three Special Ways to Support the Nervous System

By complementing the body’s natural healing processes, CranioSacral Therapy is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to support resistance to disease and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

What can I expect?

Craniosacral therapy is extremely gentle and relaxing. It is common for people to fall asleep during treatments. Your doctor or craniosacral therapist will be using a very light touch on various parts of your extremities, spine, head, and face while you lay on a table. Treatment times can vary from 30 minutes to an hour.

What conditions is CST useful for?

By complementing the body’s natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to support resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including:

  •            Migraine Headaches
  •            Chronic Neck and Back Pain
  •            Motor-Coordination Impairments
  •            Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
  •            Chronic Fatigue
  •            Emotional/Mood Difficulties
  •            Stress and Tension-Related Problems
  •            Sleep issues/ Insomnia
  •            Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders
  •            Neurovascular, Endocrine, or Immune Disorders

How often should I be getting treatments?

This is completely individualized depending on your presentation and should be determined by your doctor. Some people may only need 3 consecutive treatments, while others may need dozens. Often CST is done once weekly for a period of time and then tune-ups once a month or every couple months as needed.

Who is it safe for?

CST can be performed on people of all ages.

** Information obtained from The Upledger Institute at www.upledger.com. Refer to this website for additional information.

 

 

1,988 Views0

Phone 804-977-2634

Fax - 804-980-7876

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM

Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our Newsletter right now to be updated. We promice not to spam!