Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

What is Craniosacral Therapy (and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy)?

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, therapeutic form of bodywork that focuses on the fluids and tissues surrounding the central nervous system, from the cranium down the spine to the sacrum at the base. While the primary focus is on these areas of the body, a Craniosacral Therapist often will place their hands on other parts of the body, such as the feet, hips, abdomen, shoulders, chest and back.  Clients remain fully clothed during a session and the therapist’s touch is light and often remains still in one area for a few to several minutes.

CST is based on the discovery by osteopathic physicians of subtle, rhythmic movements within the body, and that restrictions in this movement led to dysfunction, and when this inhibitory tension released and fluid movement restored, patients recovered from various conditions.  While CST began as more physically manipulative, practitioners discovered over time that profound changes occurred with less force and a more receptive, still touch, allowing the body’s innate healing processes to occur and unravel constrictive patterns from within.  This more subtle method became known as Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST).

BCST is wonderful for infants and can help with digestive complaints, sleep, and birth trauma.  During birth, babies’ cranial bones need to move to allow for descent through the birth canal. BCST can gently help those bones realign and create space where the nerves exit the skull, including the vagus nerve, which innervates a wide range of organs and can become impinged between the cranial bones during birth.  The vagus nerve’s proper functioning is critical for digestion, sleep, and an overall sense of calm.

Many health conditions have their root in the nervous system, as the chronic stress of modern life takes its toll.  Repeated stimulation of the body’s stress responses over long periods of time can have a cascade of effects and symptoms that cause a person to feel less than their best.  Working with the autonomic nervous system to return to a state of calm and present awareness, especially when done repeatedly, is very supportive to the body’s healing processes. BCST is immensely beneficial for resourcing the nervous system in this way.