Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a very gentle yet powerful system of bodywork that addresses both physical and emotional trauma. The craniosacral system includes the brain, spinal cord and sacrum. Fascial tissue is the thick, dense connective tissue in the body that surrounds and permeates each muscle, muscle fiber, bone, tendon, and organ in our body. It gives our body its shape. When fascial tissues is restricted, the craniosacral system can become compromised and we may have structural issues and pain. Most of us have fascial restrictions in our body. This may be due to a traumatic birth, any type of physical injury or trauma, emotional trauma, or even due to prolonged unhealthy postural positions, just to name a few. As a result of these restrictions our posture may become distorted, our movement impaired and painful or we may have diminished nerve function. Fascial restrictions can even affect our internal organs as they too are part of this fascial web. Craniosacral work helps to gently unwind accumulated fascial strain as well as to balance the craniosacral system.
One of my favorite things about craniosacral work is the calming effect it has on the nervous system. Because we hold both physical and emotional trauma in fascial tissue, this gentle unwinding helps to release emotional trauma so that our nervous system can leave the fight or flight mode of the sympathetic nervous system and enter into the rest and relaxed state of our parasympathetic nervous system. This is extremely helpful for people who deal with anxiety, trauma, and insomnia. After a CFT session, clients often report that they are extremely relaxed and that their sleep is improved.
Craniosacral therapy can be done as session by itself. It is performed with the client is fully clothed on the table and the practitioner uses very light touch to the head and sacrum and fascial tissue of the body to help optimize the movement of craniosacral fluid and to unwind the fascial strain. Craniosacral work can also be combined with the other massage modalities I practice such as deep tissue, neuromuscular therapy, and structural balancing.
Here is what some people have to say about craniosacral fascial work they received from Darcy:
I came to Darcy because I know the benefits of anxiety and stress relief with craniosacral work from the help from son received in the past. However, I didn’t know how much it could help with the physical pain I was dealing with. I couldn’t lay on the left side of my body because of the intense pain in my knee. After one session, my knee pain was gone and I slept on the left side of my body for the first time in a month without pain. – Chris
I had heard for some time craniosacral therapy was so beneficial for the nervous system. I have experienced sleep issues for years and wanted to see if it would help this so I scheduled an appointment with Darcy. After my first appointment I slept great for three weeks and felt so relaxed. I have had two other appointments since and my sleep has continued to improve. Thanks, Darcy. – Donna
After having craniolsacral I feel great! I have had chronic low back issues for most of my life, including a fusion in my low back and arthritis. The doctors said I would not be able to have anymore surgeries and I was worried about how I would deal with the ongoing pain. I have found craniosacral therapy to be so helpful. My back pain is reduced by 90-100% from the craniosacral therapy and I can go about my daily life without the pain limiting my ability to get things done. – Mary Lou