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What is Craniosacral Massage Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy is a clinical treatment that uses gentle touch to manipulate the skull and spinal cord. This therapy is said to improve the function of the central nervous system and help relieve pain, stress, and tension. Therapy is a non-invasive, non-intrusive gentle massage technique performed on a fully clothed person. The therapist places their hands lightly on the client's body and uses very gentle pressure to feel for and release restrictions in the craniosacral system. Because CST supports the body's natural capacity to heal itself, it has a beneficial impact on immunity and in promoting recovery from head injuries, headaches and migraines, vertigo, trigeminal neuralgia, sinus issues and other dysfunctions centered in the head and nervous system.


It is said to improve the function of these systems, which in turn leaves the client with a feeling of more excellent health and well-being.


How is Craniosacral Massage Therapy performed?


Craniosacral Therapy involves gentle pressure from the therapist’s fingers on the bones of your skull and spine to release compression or imbalance that may exist there. In doing this, circulation of the cerebral spinal fluid is increased and inflammation is released.


An entire session of this type of bodywork often lasts 30-60 minutes or more.


You do not need to wear unique clothing for a Craniosacral Massage. It would be best to come to your appointment with loose, comfortable clothing that does not prevent the therapist from accessing your head and neck. Also, please do not wear thick or restrictive clothing along the length of the spine to the tailbone.


For the entire session, you will lie on a massage table. The therapist will focus mostly on your head, neck and sacrum (tailbone) but may also make gentle contact on your feet, legs, hips, and torso.


The therapist will ask you to relax and breathe deeply. You may feel a sense of deep relaxation and well-being during and after your session.


Craniosacral Therapy is Beneficial in Treating:


  • Headaches/Migraines

  • Sinus Issue

  • Vertigo

  • Bell’s Palsy

  • Head Injuries

  • TMJD

  • Whiplash

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia

  • Neck Pain

  • Sacral Pain


Is craniosacral therapy suitable for everyone?


CST is beneficial to just about everyone. However, craniosacral therapy may not be appropriate in certain situations, and you'll want to consult with your licensed therapist to see.


The following may postpone your session:


● Recent concussion.

● Traumatic brain injury.

● Structural defects in the cerebellum such as Arnold-Chiari malformation.

● Blood clots.

● Cerebral swelling.

● Brain aneurysm.

● Any disorder that causes cerebral fluid pressure, flow, or build-up instability.


How often should you have Craniosacral therapy (CST)?


It usually depends on how serious the condition is and how it has been in place. A general guideline is to start with 3 sessions spaced 1 week apart. We space the sessions out because we want to allow the body to make changes and integrate the work. At the end of 3 sessions, the client and therapist will re-evaluate the client’s condition. If the client is completely free of pain, he/she may not need any further treatment. If the condition is significantly reduced, he/she might begin to space out sessions until the pain is controlled. Some conditions may require maintenance treatments every 4-6 weeks for a certain period of time, especially if the client has a great deal of stress in their life.



Craniosacral Therapy | Blog Article | Light Hand Clinical Massage | Greenville SC | All Rights Reserved


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