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CranioSacral Therapy (CST)
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that supports the body’s natural ability to heal and restore balance. By working with the rhythms of the nervous system and releasing tension in the membranes and fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord, CST helps ease pain, boost the immune system, and improve overall well-being. It’s a calming and effective therapy for people of all ages, especially those navigating stress, tension, or nervous system imbalances.
CST was developed by Dr. John E. Upledger, an osteopathic physician and surgeon. He led a team of anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists, and bioengineers that performed and published the clinical research, which formed the basis for the modality he named Craniosacral Therapy.
How CST Helps:
Craniosacral Therapy helps restore balance in the nervous system, supporting the body’s natural ability to heal and function optimally.
It can be beneficial for a wide range of concerns, especially those rooted in chronic stress, neurological challenges, or developmental needs.
CST may help improve symptoms related to:
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Migraines and chronic headaches
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Chronic neck and back pain
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Post-concussion symptoms
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TMJ dysfunction
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Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
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Scoliosis
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Seizure disorders
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Cerebral palsy
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
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Developmental delays in infants and children
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Learning differences (including ADD/ADHD)
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Anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation
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Sleep disorders
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Gastrointestinal discomfort
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Side effects of cancer treatment
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Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline
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PTSD and trauma-related symptoms
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Immune system imbalances
How CST can help your child:
I offer gentle, child-centered Craniosacral Therapy to support the growing nervous systems of babies, toddlers, and children of all ages.
Whether your child is recovering from a difficult birth, navigating developmental delays, sensory sensitivities, feeding or sleep challenges, or emotional regulation struggles, CST provides a safe, calming space for their body to unwind and find balance.
Each session is guided by your child’s unique rhythms whether they are still, playful, or on the move and is always approached with care, curiosity, and deep respect for where they are in their journey.
This work is rooted in connection, compassion, and the belief that every child has the innate ability to heal when given the right support
Supporting Pediatric Development:
Craniosacral Therapy helps restore balance in the nervous system, supporting the body’s natural ability to heal and function optimally.
It can be beneficial for a wide range of concerns, especially those rooted in chronic stress, neurological challenges, or developmental needs.
CST may help improve symptoms related to:
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Oral Ties
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Lactation Difficulties
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Colic
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Torticolis
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Motor-coordination impairments
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Speech difficulties
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Spinal Cord Disabilities
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Cerebral Palsy
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GI Issues
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Reflux, Feeding difficulties
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Plagieocephaly (Mishapen Head)
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ASD symtoms
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ADD/ADHD symptoms
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Learning disorders
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Behavioral Problems
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Irregular Sleep Patterns
CST in assisting with Neurodevelopmental Disorders:
(Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorders)
Emerging research suggests that many of these conditions are linked to inflammation in the body, particularly within the brain and nervous system. As we continue to better understand the biological roots of this inflammation, therapies like Craniosacral Therapy (CST) are showing promise in supporting the body’s natural healing response.
CST works gently to release tension, reduce the effects of inflammation, and calm the nervous system. This can help soften areas of the body that feel tight or restricted, while also supporting clearer thinking, emotional regulation, and greater ease in learning and self-control.
For children who are neurodivergent, Craniosacral Therapy offers gentle support for the nervous system and may help ease some of the challenges they face. Parents have reported improvements in areas such as:
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Trouble falling or staying asleep
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Irritability, emotional outbursts, or repetitive behaviors
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Sensory overload and difficulty with transitions
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Frequent tantrums or meltdowns
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Anxious thoughts and restlessness
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Head banging or other self-soothing actions
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Repetitive movements like toe walking, hand flapping, or vocal stimming
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Aggressive behavior or intense need for sensory input
Many families have also noticed growth in their child’s ability to:
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Stay calm and more easily regulate sensory input
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Feel more focused and ready to learn or engage
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Understand and respond to sensory feedback from their environment
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Express themselves both verbally and nonverbally
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Experience a greater sense of ease, comfort, and joy in daily life
Each session is thoughtfully adapted to meet your child exactly where they are whether they need stillness, movement, play, or simply space to feel safe. The approach is always gentle, respectful, and attuned to your child’s unique needs and rhythms
How CST is performed:
Craniosacral Therapy sessions are designed to be flexible and child-centered. Sessions typically last around 45 minutes to just over an hour, depending on the child’s needs and comfort. For families seeking more focused care, intensive treatment series can also be arranged outside of standard appointment times.
CST can be offered on its own or integrated with other therapies to support your child’s overall well-being. Sessions are gentle and non-invasive, with children remaining fully clothed. Some may lie on a massage table, sit upright, or move freely around the room, whatever feels most natural and supportive for them.
Many children receive treatment while they play, rock, explore, or use sensory supports. The therapy space is calm and adaptive, and caregivers are always welcome to be part of the process. Sessions are often deeply relaxing, and children may feel a sense of warmth, calm, or softening in areas of tension.
After a session, you might notice subtle shifts in your childsuch as improved sleep, more regulated emotions, or greater body awareness. Occasionally, children may experience a low-grade fever, irregular bowel movements, or increased fussiness as their nervous system processes and integrates the work. These responses are temporary and often viewed as a positive sign that the body is reorganizing and moving toward greater balance. Every child responds in their own way and on their own timeline. You can support the integration process with quiet time, gentle movement, or simply creating space for rest and connection.
Stepping into a session, what it’s like:
A typical Craniosacral Therapy session takes place in a quiet, calming setting. You’ll remain fully clothed as you relax comfortably on a treatment table. The session often begins with a full-body evaluation, starting at the feet, as the practitioner listens to the subtle rhythms and patterns within the body.
Using gentle, still, and precise hand placements, the therapist tunes into areas of restriction or imbalance in the nervous system and surrounding tissues. By following these patterns, they can often trace tension back to its source and use light-touch techniques to help release it.
Sessions generally last up to an hour or slightly longer and may be offered on their own or in combination with other therapeutic approaches. Each person’s experience is unique, but most find the sessions deeply calming and restorative, often noticing a sense of ease, spaciousness, or unwinding as the body begins to relax and realign.
The body knows how to heal, it just needs the right support. Craniosacral Therapy gently enhances your body’s natural ability to restore balance, especially when stress, trauma, or illness make it harder to self-correct. It’s about creating space for your system to realign, unwind, and return to ease.
