“Every treatment protocol should be dictated by the wisdom of the patient’s own body.”
—Dr. John E. Upledger

The Upledger Paradigm describes the core principles of Upledger CranioSacral Therapy (CST) as a gentle, non-invasive manual treatment approach that works with the natural self-correcting mechanisms of the body. Its focus is largely upon the craniosacral system (CSS), which consists of the membranes and fluids that surround the brain and spinal cord. The CSS has the ability to influence every system in the body, such as the musculoskeletal, neurological, immune, digestive, endocrine, etc.  Palpation of the CSS allows detection and release of core issues so that the treatment focuses on the cause of dysfunction rather than symptoms.

In CST, we access the craniosacral system, a part of the central nervous system, by listening through palpation, and blending with the body’s tissues. We use a whole-person approach, guided by the person’s innate intelligence, the Inner Wisdom, to treat the whole person, not the disease or the dysfunction. The therapist acts as a therapeutic facilitator, using the least amount of pressure and influence necessary to support the person’s self-empowerment and healing process with compassion and empathy. A goal of CST is to help the person to restore and optimize the functional operation of the body.

CranioSacral Therapy was developed by the very extraordinary late Dr. John Upledger, with its roots in cranial osteopathy. It is a completely client-centered approach without protocol or agenda. Dr. John wrote an amazing and easy to read book Your Inner Physician and You if you would like to know more background about his research and CST’s development.

Using a soft touch, generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, we help to release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system, which in turn improves most other body functions.

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

Every part of the body has a natural motion it likes to do, and that motion can be felt everywhere on the body. CST uses light touch to assess how well a part is moving (or not), and that motion can help guide us as to what part of the body is most important to work on that day. This motion is created by the movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord inside the membrane layers of the meninges. The CSF brings in nutrients and flushes out metabolic waste products from the central nervous system and is vital to brain function, which in turn affects all other body processes. Even minor dysfunction in this system can create big changes; likewise small releases can bring about dramatic shifts in the whole body.

Movement is health, and every single part of the body down to the cells should move in the Cranial Sacral Rhythm. Nerves, arteries and veins especially do not like to be pulled on and using light touch we can assess what small piece is not moving that can cause pain or tension in an area.

Traumatic events can get stuck in our tissues. Trauma is defined as anything that our body cannot easily process in the moment it happens. Stress, overstimulation, injuries, emotions at a time of physical injuries, even our beliefs about our body can get stuck in our tissues and over time can create dysfunctional patterns. CST helps to unwind these patterns, at a digestible pace, and activate your body’s own natural healing abilities to create space and ease of movement.

CranioSacral Therapy is great for people of all ages, from infants to the elderly.

CST HELPS THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

Migraine Headaches
Chronic Neck and Back Pain
Motor-Coordination Impairments
Colic
Autism
Central Nervous System Disorders
Orthopedic Problems
Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
Scoliosis
Infantile Disorders
Learning Disabilities
Chronic Fatigue
Emotional Difficulties
Stress and Tension-Related Problems
Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
Neurovascular or Immune Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Surgical Dysfunction Digestive Disorders Old Injuries Hormone Imbalances And many more……

Please call if you have any questions about your specific issues.


Why utilize Cranial Sacral Therapy?

CST is one of the only bodywork therapies that is client directed, rather than therapist directed. We as therapists act as facilitators to your body’s own innate wisdom. Yes, we do often utilize gentle techniques, but a majority of our work is in being present and following what the body needs in that given moment. We can ask the questions about past traumas, injuries or belief systems and see if those answers still resonate in present time. We as facilitators can work at the body’s pace, rather that what our minds think it should be or look like, and by removing barriers we can help the body heal itself.