What is craniosacral therapy?

The craniosacral system is a bodily system made up of membranes and fluid designed to support and cushion the brain and spinal cord.

The aim of craniosacral therapy is to work with light touch to ease restrictions in this system and encourage natural healing.

Although this therapy does work with the head and back primarily, it can work with many areas of the body.

A craniosacral therapist will touch certain areas of the body to assess what needs attention and then use subtle movements to promote healing.

Recognising the body-mind connection, this therapy looks to treat the whole person. This means understanding how emotional blockages can affect the physical body and addressing these within the therapy session too.

Who can it help?

As this therapy is so gentle and non-invasive, it is appropriate for anyone – from young babies to elderly patients. Often those with chronic illnesses turn to craniosacral therapy to see if it can help alongside their existing treatment plan.

What to expect in a session

An initial consultation will give you the opportunity to talk to your therapist about your history and what you hope craniosacral therapy can help you with. Sessions generally last about an hour although this will depend on the therapist and your individual circumstances. The therapy is performed with you lying down, or seated and fully clothed.

The therapist will make light contact with areas of your body like your head and spine. The process is very gentle and should be a pleasant and relaxing experience. Many people say they come away from craniosacral sessions feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

The number of sessions you’ll need will depend on what’s brought you to craniosacral therapy, however your therapist should be able to tell you roughly how many sessions are required.

If you are interested in trying craniosacral therapy, you can use our search tool to find a therapist in your area.