Yes, I believe CST can help every person, but the treatment journey may be different from their expectations and may therefore not be right for them.

Some people want a quick fix and may feel it is too gentle and subtle. Others may not be ready for the journey that CST may take them on. Still others may benefit from combining CST with another therapy, for example psychotherapy, counselling, physiotherapy, acupuncture, clinical treatments, etc.

As a holistic modality, it is important to understand that CST seeks to support and facilitate health and wholeness, not provide a short-term fix. We trust and support the body’s innate intelligence to heal itself and work with the whole body-mind-spirit ‘system’ to facilitate that process. For example, a physical symptom may be caused by something a person is not even aware of, like held trauma from an accident, injury or even their birth; chronic stress; an emotional trauma from childhood, and so on. Nevertheless, the individual’s body knows what the source of that symptom is and what it needs to release and heal, but as the treatment journey may be different from their expectations, some may abandon treatments before an issue is fully resolved.

Central to CST is the craniosacral system. Taking its name form the cranium (the collective name of the 22 bones of the skull) and sacrum (the tailbone) these structures encompass and enclose the Cerebrospinal Fluid (SCF), the central nervous system, the structures of the brain that house the CSF, including the meningeal membranes that extend through the spinal cord; also the blood and interstitial fluids that support brain function and the glymphatic system and the meningeal lymphatic system that both protect, nourish and cleanse the CSF. 

As a craniosacral therapist, my aim is to promote the free and effective flow of fluids in the intracranial membrane system and throughout the brain and spinal cord. The flow can be restricted or impaired by trauma, toxins, disease and dysfunction that may interfere with cranial motion, the flow and pressure of blood, CSF and interstitial fluid, with motor and sensory nerve function, with hormones produced in the hypothalamus, pituitary and pineal glands, with cognitive development, sensory processing and higher brain functions and social engagement and development. 

A central concept in CST, which is grounded in osteopathy, is that of a unique rhythm that manifests as a cranial rhythmic impulse (CRI) in the living head and body. The existence of the CRI was confirmed in a clinical research study and found to exist as a distinct from rhythmic movements caused by respiratory breathing and arterial pulsing. 

Practitioners learn to palpate the CRI through gentle, light touch directly on the body. The CRI is felt as a wave of energy, like a fluid tide, from the head to the feet and back again or as a wave that externally and internally rotates the body laterally. The CRI can express fluctuation in motion ranging from suppressed and restricted, turbulent or stuttering, to calm and regular. 

In our training and experience, we approach the CRI as an expression of homeostasis. A suppressed or turbulent CRI indicates homeostatic dysfunction, palpated as centres of tension and restriction in the body. By applying extremely gentle techniques to facilitate the release of tension, restriction and congestion we restore balance to this flow. A smooth, deep and regular CRI is indicative of health, palpated as a well organised and integrated energy flowing throughout the body. 

CST is safe, effective and gentle and can support recovery and healing from many illnesses and conditions. However, there are some acute conditions that should not be treated until medically stable.

Because CST supports and encourages the free, balanced flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the craniosacral system (cranium and spinal canal), any medical conditions that affect the CSF must be approached with caution.

These include any active cerebrovascular condition with an active bleed, including acute blood clots, aneurysms, stroke, and brain swelling. Cerebrospinal Fluid leak must also be fully resolved before treatment and severe head trauma and skull fractures should also be stable. Similarly, we recommend that a person with a recent epidural should wait four to six weeks before treatment to ensure that the dural tube is fully healed.

If you are in early recovery from these conditions and are interested in CST to help manage secondary effects (e.g. headaches, fatigue, mood swings, brain fog, etc.), please seek approval from your doctor or health care professional before booking. If you want to share information to help them understand the treatement approach, I will be happy to help.

Yes absolutely. I have had many clients referred to CST by their psychologist or psychotherapist. With its gentle, body-based approach CST can support the release and body-mind integration of held trauma, fears, and experiences that have surfaced in talking therapies.

Yes indeed, CST can help neurodiverse children in different ways.

Becasue CST works with the central nervous system, it can help mitigate and even resolve anxiety and stress that may impact your child’s ability to participate in social situations and education.

CST supports sensory processing and executive function skills, which help develop self-regulation, learning and social engagement.

There are quite a few studies and articles about how CST helps people and children with neurodiverse conditions, specifically autism and ADHD, that I can point you to. Please click on the links below to read the articles.

The use of CranioSacral therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders: Benefits from the viewpoints of parents, clients, and therapists. PubMed.National Centre for Biotech Information, National Library of Medicine, USA. 

Effect of craniosacral therapy on students' symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ResearchGate.net

How Craniosacral Therapy Can Make a Big Difference with ASD, Autism Parenting Magazine

Can Craniosacral Therapy Improve Life for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder? Massage magazine 

Touching Lives: How CST Can Help Autism, Craniosacral Therapy Association UK

Mission Impossible? A Journey Out of Autism, Craniosacral Therapy Association UK

The Challenges and Rewards of Working with Neurodiversity, Craniosacral Therapy Association UK

Autism Spectrum Disorder: How CranioSacral Therapy Can Help, Upledger Institute

Working with neurodiverse children presents some challenges; interaction with a stranger can be unsettling and physical contact and/or being still can seem impossible. To help manage this, I only treat children in the presence of a parent or carer, keep treatments to 30 minutes, and do my best to tailor my approach to each individual child’s needs and circumstances.

In the initial session, and for as long as is necessary, I make myself the still point in the room and adopt a more energetic treatment approach until the child feels safe enough to settle down. I invite but never require a child to be still, sit or lie down unless they want to. I ask if physical contact is ok. If it is not, I continue with a more energetic approach.

Although it may take several chaotic treatments, it is often the case that a child suddenly accepts and even takes initiative to sit or lie down and be treated. Sometimes a child will even direct the placement of my hands to areas of the head.

Everyone experiences and process CST differently, but there are some commonly reported after effects in neurodiverse children. 

As their nervous system integrates the shifts and releases that have occurred during treatment, some children may get more energetic or hyperactive than normal, usually followed by exhaustion and deep sleep. Some may experience twitching to a greater or lesser degree. Others may display regressive behaviour for a short time as their body process the treatment. This will all abate as the body integrates the treatment and may not reoccur with the same intensity or even at all in subsequent treatments. 

As treatments continue, some behaviours may improve to then slowly return, possibly because their muscles or dural membranes tighten over time or because your child has been triggered by a stressful event. In such cases, another treatment often helps stabilise your child’s system. 

These articles, two by my teachers, share experiences and insights that can help you better appreciate how CST can help and what to expect. 

Mission Impossible? A Journey Out of Autism, Craniosacral Therapy Association UK

How Craniosacral Therapy Can Make a Big Difference with ASD, Autism Parenting Magazine

Touching Lives: How CST Can Help Autism, Craniosacral Therapy Association UK

Before your first treatment I will ask you to fill in an online health history form. I may also ask you to fill in a well-being form that has been designed to measure progress over the course of the sessions.

If you don’t have time to answer the health history questions online, I will go through it at the first consultation. This gives you an opportunity to outline your symptoms and share details about events that may be contributing factors, such as stressors, illness, accidents and injuries, emotional trauma, etc. Often, clients remember significant events during or after a treatment. This is absolutely fine and I simply add new information to my notes.

The wellbeing form is a clinically validated questionnaire that tracks and measures complimentary healthcare treatment outcomes across different areas, including physical, mental and emotional. This is useful to help me assess your progress, and contributes to the broader evidence base for CST.

Note that all personal information is held according to strict GDPR regulations. You can ask to see the information I hold about you at any time.

I recommend you wear loose, comfortable clothing but it’s not necessary.

Comfort is key so I will ask that you remove shoes, belts, chunky jewellery and hair accessories that may get uncomfortable or snag. I will also offer blankets to keep you warm and snug.

Generally, the treatment is conducted with you lying on your back on a massage table. If you find it difficult or uncomfortable to lie on your back, side lying or seated positions are good alternatives.

Once you are settled on the table, I will gently place my hands on or under your body, explaining what I’m doing as I go and make sure you’re absolutely comfortable with the touch.

I usually beginning at the feet and move up to your head over the course of a treatment. Common areas that I give attention to are your cranial bones, including ears and face, spine and sacrum (tailbone); chest to access the cardiac plexus, diaphragm to contact your solar plexus and abdomen to connect with the enteric nervous system and pelvic plexus.

During and after the treatment, you may feel sensations of tingling or prickling, heat or cold, heaviness or lightness, and similar, in various parts of your body. Sometimes these sensations are felt where my hands are, at others times they are felt somewhere completely different.

Everyone responds to CST differently and the number of treatments needed vary with each individual.

CST is a holistic, complementary therapy, and my goal is support and facilitate the body’s natural and inherent drive to self correct and self heal. This can happen when a client feels safe, and their body is able to down regulate the stress response and engage the parasympathetic ‘rest, digest and restore’ resources.

Depending on the nature of symptoms, this may take some time, which is why I encourage clients to invest in a minimum of six treatments to give their body time to feel safe, engage and respond.

Due to the stacking of stressors that happen over a lifetime, adults often require more treatments than children to effect lasting change.

Treatments are an investment in your or a loved one’s health and wellbeing and fees vary with age and location.

ADULTS & TEENS 16+

Initial consultation + treatment is £80. Please allow for 1.5 hours.

Follow up treatment - 60 minutes: £65

Pre-booked series of 5 treatments: £300 (saving £5 per treatment)

CHILDREN between 5-15

Initial consultation + treatment - 1 hr: 65

Follow on treatments -ca 45 minutes: £60

Prebooked series of 5 treatments: 275 (saving £5 per treatment)

INFANTS & CHILDREN under 5

Initial consultation + treatment - 1 hr: 65

Follow on treatments - 30 minutes: £45

Prebooked series of 5 treatments: £200 (saving £5 per treatment)

NEURODIVERSE CHILDREN

Initial consultation + treatment - 1 hr: 65

Follow on treatments - 30 minutes: £45

Prebooked series of 5 treatments: £200 (saving £5 per treatment)

Note that initial consultations for children and infants can be conducted ahead of the treatment by phone or Zoom.

Home visits: I am available for home visits for clients with mobility issues, infants and neurodiverse children, for an additional charge of £5. Please request this when booking.

Yes, absolutely. The gentle nature of CST makes it ideal to support women throughout pregnancy and after birth.

There are circumstances in which CST may need to wait, for example if you’re experiencing bleeds which need medical attention.

In treatments, sitting and side lying (on left) positions are preferred but I will adapt my approach to your level of comfort and need to change positions.

For mums who have restricted mobility, I am available for home visits.

Absolutely, parents and carers are welcome to mum & baby treatments.

I do ask that any observers remain calm and respectful throughout the treatment, saving questions for the treatment is finsihed.

Yes, indeed, I often encourage mums to share the first treatment with the baby, which is a wonderful way to experience CST and deepen the bond.

In fact, it is not unusual for a baby to respond positively after mum has had her own treatment. Baby can clearly sense a calmer, more resourced mum, whose nervous system has shifted from a state of stress and overwhelm into rest and digest.