Because of its influence on the functioning of the central nervous system, Craniosacral Therapy (CST) can benefit the body in a number of ways — from bolstering overall health and resistance to disease, to alleviating a wide range of specific conditions.

Among Craniosacral Therapy's largest patient groups are those suffering chronic symptoms that other therapy approaches have had little success with. In particular, it has proven beneficial to those with head, neck or back injuries resulting from an accident. CST is also highly effective with stress-related dysfunction's; insomnia, fatigue, headaches, poor digestion, anxiety and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are just a few examples.

Craniosacral Therapy works to reverse the debilitating effects of stress by providing the conditions in which the nervous system can rest and rejuvenate. In fact, it's this capacity to reduce stress that's leading an increasing number of people to include CST as part of their wellness routines.

With migraine & headaches, of course, there can be multiple causes. Virtually anything that interferes with the autonomic nervous control of the blood vessels in the head can result in headache & migraine.

In general, CranioSacral Therapy does a very good job of normalizing autonomic nervous activity. It effectively mobilizes the membrane system within the head to take pressure off either the nerve that is controlling the blood vessel, or the blood vessel that may be causing the headache.

It is also an effective stress reducer, which makes it particularly effective with migraines since they're often precipitated or triggered by stress. The key to long-term success is relieving the underlying cause of headache & migraine in addition to releasing the pain.

The aim of your treatment is to get you feeling better as quickly as possible; however, treatment plans vary depending on your symptoms and how readily your system responds to therapy. 

Generally, for minor complaints three to ten sessions will have a significant impact.  In some cases only one session is all that is needed.

More serious conditions will generally require weekly sessions until the symptoms subside, followed by a treatment plan focused on maintenance to maintain health & wellness.

Acute and chronic conditions are so varied and dependent that it is difficult to put a timeframe on treatment. Some acute conditions respond quite quickly to treatment where others can take longer.

Craniosacral Therapy involves an extremely light touch using the hands.  It is highly effective in identifying a number of disorders in children of all ages, especially when applied during the first few weeks of an infant's life.

There is no pushing, adjusting or manipulating. Children especially can benefit from the timely identification and release of restrictions in the craniosacral system, thereby preventing future difficulties such as learning disabilities or hyperactivity. Visit our Craniosacral Therapy for Kids section for more information.

If unsure, it is recommended that parents also receive a CST session prior to their children so to have a personal experience of what the child will feel clinically.