CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

 

Craniosacral therapy (CST) was founded by Dr. J. Upledger, an American neurologist.

CST has a deeply relaxing and regulating effect on the autonomic nervous system, influencing the functioning of all organs and bodily processes. During a session, the practitioner uses gentle touches over clothing, allowing the body to enter a state of deep relaxation.

You are guided in ‘learning to feel’ and ‘releasing’ tensions, emotions, and ingrained patterns. This is the moment of processing, where everything finds its place.

CST can be beneficial for various complaints, including physical tension (head, neck, shoulders, back), fatigue, poor sleep, negative emotional spirals, reduced self-confidence, relationship difficulties, loss of interest in life, grief processing, burnout, anxiety, and depression.

 

 

Often, treatment involves the skull (cranium), spine, and sacrum. Movement disturbances in connective tissue, muscle tension, and imbalances in the body are identified and brought back into equilibrium. The central nervous system is stimulated to function optimally again. The craniosacral system consists of the brain, spinal cord, the thick protective dura mater membrane, and the cerebrospinal fluid that flows between them. This entire system is enclosed and protected by the bones of the skull (cranium) and spine down to the sacrum, within which the nervous system is located.

The rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid is created by a pumping mechanism deep within the brain. The bones of the skull expand, followed by a slight separation of the vertebrae, after which the sacrum tilts downward and then inward. This craniosacral rhythm manifests as an expanding and contracting wave that is felt throughout the body, similar to the movement of tides.

We can consider this rhythm the breathing of the brain. The nervous system regulates all body functions, and the craniosacral rhythm, alongside breathing and heartbeat, is regarded as the third primary life function of the body.

During treatment, a still point may occur, a brief moment in which the craniosacral rhythm slows down almost completely, and thinking is temporarily suspended. At this moment, energy is redirected from the brain and used for self-repair. The body also experiences still point periods during deep sleep, during which it recovers and heals.

Since CST encourages the body to function as intended and stimulates its self-healing ability, it can be applied to a wide variety of conditions. The practitioner works on optimizing the elasticity and space within the cranial bones and other areas of the craniosacral system. This is done by following the natural rhythm of the body and applying gentle pressure, allowing the body to relax, create space, and restore balance.

 

 

PHYSICAL TENSION

 

The power of the combination of CST and trauma therapy:

 

During the treatment of physical complaints, a processing process takes place: tension is released, and a connection is made between physical tension and the mental pattern that underlies it.

 

For example, someone experiencing neck and shoulder tension may discover that they tend to take on too many responsibilities. This creates a feeling of being overwhelmed and the belief that they must handle everything on their own. As physical tension is gradually released, a profound transformation process unfolds. The individual begins to approach life differently, making conscious changes for the future.

 

This transformation happens through trial and error, as it often involves a deeply ingrained ‘core pattern’ that the person has relied on for years. While this pattern may have served them well in the past, it has now become a burden to their system. Everyone possesses certain qualities, but when these qualities become excessive, they can turn into pitfalls.

 

SLEEPING PROBLEMS  

 

During a session, both physical and emotional tensions are released, allowing the body to relax more deeply. As a result, overthinking decreases, making it easier to fall asleep.

 

Some individuals wake up at a specific time each night and struggle to fall back asleep. The causes of this vary. In some cases, the body remains too physically tense, preventing it from reaching a deeper state of relaxation. As a result, the person wakes up at the same time each night.

 

As sessions continue, the body begins to restore its natural balance and is able to relax more deeply once again. Over time, the root causes of sleep disturbances come to light, and sleeping problems gradually resolve..

 

FATIGUE  

 

Regardless of the cause of fatigue, CST allows the body to enter a recovery phase. This means that the craniosacral rhythm slows down, creating a ‘still point effect’—a state of deep relaxation in which the body begins to heal itself. This is similar to the process that occurs during sleep, where specific brain chemicals ensure that we wake up feeling refreshed.

 

A session can have a revitalizing effect, but it is also possible for people to feel extremely tired afterward. This indicates that a deeper, underlying fatigue is finally surfacing. This is actually a positive sign—it means the body is acknowledging its exhaustion, allowing true recovery to begin.

 

Bit by bit, energy returns. For example, individuals recovering from burnout will gradually regain their strength. Their ‘batteries’ start recharging, and they begin to emerge from a state of standby mode. The recovery process from burnout can be viewed as a journey that comfortably unfolds over a span of two years.

 

CST is also fantastic for ‘pre-verbal’ trauma. These are very quiet sessions that work directly on the reptilian brain, releasing tensions that became trapped long ago—at the very beginning of life—without the need for words.