What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Your body holds deep wisdom. It's designed to self-regulate, heal and adapt. From the moment of conception there are universal forces that shape and form our bodies and continue to do so for the rest of our lives. Yet in today's fast-paced world, we can become overwhelmed by the stories we carry in our bodies, and that intelligence (very intelligently) goes into protection and survival mode. Your system is always doing it's best to manage unresolved traumatic forces by containing them in various patterns in the body-mind-emotions. These so-called 'patterns' manifest in a variety of ways as pain, illness, anxiety, or perhaps just a general sense of unwellness, and are what cause people to seek the therapeutic support of a craniosacral therapist.

A craniosacral therapist utilises light, non-invasive, intentional touch which communicates safety and presence to the nervous system, facilitating the whole body and nervous system to downregulate and drop into deep relaxation and stillness. It is in this space that the deepest healing can occur, tensions can be let go of, and a reorganisation and re-patterning in your body-mind can occur. This work is subtle, and it goes deep, unwinding the deepest stories and tensions held in your body, to return you to your most natural and optimal expression of wellness, self healing and regulation.

This process can be a journey that unfolds over the course of multiple sessions, or it may resolve more quickly, depending on the complexity of the health issue you are presenting with.

What does a typical session with you look/ feel like?

For adults: When you arrive, I take time to listen to your story and gather a detailed case history. This helps me understand what brings you here, what your body has been through, and what kind of support may be most helpful. Then I invite you to lie on a couch, fully clothed, with a pillow and blanket (if needed) for comfort. I usually begin by placing my hands gently on the tops of your feet so I can tune in to your system. I will then move on to a different part of your body, such as your head, spine, solar plexus, or anywhere else that I am drawn to after tuning in. I will quietly 'listen' to the tissues under my hands, sensing the quality and rhythms of the Craniosacral system, and building up a picture of where restrictions may be located. I do not follow a set protocol, your body is my guide and I follow where the tissues lead me, making every session entirely unique. You may feel warmth, softening, unwinding, a sense of spaciousness or simply deep rest and stillness. There’s no ‘right’ response, just the beginning of a gentle, ongoing conversation with the body.

For babies and little ones: I begin by learning about your pregnancy, birth experience, feeding journey, and anything that may feel important to share. This helps me understand what your baby’s system might be holding. Sessions are baby-led. Your child may lie on the table, be held in your arms, or move freely. Feeding, sleeping and crying are all welcome. I offer a non-clinical, compassionate space where you and your baby are fully accepted as you are. Parents are invited to be part of the process, and everything is done with warmth, flexibility and respect for you child’s pace. With soft, intuitive touch, I support the release of held patterns from birth or early life stress, allowing your baby to feel more at ease in their body.

An Integrated process: Fascial Unwinding and the Craniosacral system

I practise an integrated style of Craniosacral Therapy, which blends biodynamic sensitivity and listening with bio-mechanical precision. I also have Fascial Unwinding skills in my toolbox, which enables me, when necessary, to engage with your fascia during a session. I love working with Fascia, as it is one of the most profound and mysterious tissues in the body. It's a living, breathing web of connective tissue that weaves through every muscle, bone, organ, and cell. It goes way beyond being just structural; it’s deeply intelligent. Fascia holds the imprint of everything you’ve lived through: every old injury, every emotional shock, every moment your body had to adapt or protect itself is held in the fascia.

Fascial Unwinding may spontaneously occur during a session, which can feel like very subtle movements, or larger, visible movements (eg. of an arm, leg or neck) that may feel like the body is 'moving itself', stretching, rotating or spiralling. As a practitioner, I support this process by listening with my hands and allowing the fascia to move the body where it wants to go.

Sometimes I may sense that the fascia is tight or restricted, limiting not only physical movement but also emotional and energetic flow. In this case I may facilitate an unwinding process, to allow the body to breathe better, the nervous system to settle, and the mind to reconnect with the body’s innate wisdom. I do this by gently engaging with the fascia to allow it to release, reorganise, and return to its natural fluidity. When fascia begins to unwind, it’s as if the body is telling its story in movement, sensation, and stillness. Old memories and emotions may surface to be released. These releases can be subtle or dramatic, but they are always meaningful.

After a session

You (or your child) may feel more settled, sleepy, emotional, or simply more in tune with yourself. Subtle changes often unfold over the next few days - such as improved sleep, digestion, regulation or emotional balance.

Clients often describe feeling lighter, more spacious, and more connected after fascia has 'unwound'. Old pain may dissolve, emotions may surface and clear, and a sense of wholeness and vitality returns.

Where did Craniosacral therapy come from?

Craniosacral therapy originated from the osteopathic tradition, in the early 1900's, through the work of pioneering osteopath William Sutherland who discovered that the bones of the skull exhibit subtle movements essential to health. He explored how gentle touch could influence the cranial rhythm and support the body’s healing processes. In the 1970s, Dr. John Upledger expanded on Sutherland’s findings, developing Craniosacral Therapy into a structured modality that works with the central nervous system to promote balance and self-repair.

Craniosacral Biodynamics evolved from Sutherlands later works and involves an appreciation and facilitation of deeper formative forces, and the expression of potency (or life force) within the system that is essential to health. One of the foundational principles of osteopathy as defined by A.T. Still, is that health is always present, and he taught osteopaths to orient to health rather than disease.

Who is Craniosacral therapy for?

The gentle, calming and nurturing quality of Craniosacral Therapy makes it safe and suitable for people of all ages, from newborns to elders, and can support a wide range of physical and emotional conditions. It’s especially helpful for those looking for a non-invasive, holistic approach to healing.

Many people are drawn to Craniosacral Therapy during times of transition, such as grief, loss, or emotional upheaval, as well as for ongoing support along their healing journey. Because it’s so gentle, it’s also safe and effective for those experiencing acute pain or heightened sensitivity.