CranioSacral Therapy

CST helps anyone who has a brain and a spine because it releases restrictions in the fascial network of the body which improves the coordination and efficiency of the CranioSacral Rhythm (CSR). The Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord) is moved by the CSR, which brings nutrients and removes wastes from the brain and nervous system. The CSR is initiated by the movement of the bones of the sacrum and the head, which move steadily but subtly at a rate of about 12-16 cycles per minute. The rhythm effects the entire body, but is most easily perceived via touch at the head and feet, where the widening and narrowing can more easily be felt. Any trauma to the head can impede the CSR, which can prevent the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) from doing it’s important job of nourishing the nerves. Birth is the first trauma to the head, and the first thing released in a CST session.

If a baby has had a normal birth, there may be bones that are stuck and immobile. It’s important to release any restrictions so that normal symmetry and movement unfolds in the developing head. Inside the head are cross sections of fascia which divide the brain into different sections, and organize the nerve structures inside the head. This fascia is connected to the bones of the head, and can be twisted or otherwise constricted or malpositioned from a normal birth process, but especially in a more complicated birth. Forceps assisted births, and especially vacuum assisted births can cause restrictions (tension, twists, etc.) in the bones and fascia of the head. These in turn connect with the meninges (which are long tubes of fascia that surround the spine), so restrictions in the head can cause trouble in the spine, and refer out to any of the limbs. It is my theory that “Laying on of the hands” may have been an old name for many of the modern Touch Therapies such as CST, where healers and priests of Old released restrictions of those in pain.

My typical session is one hour long and incorporates at least the first two of these healing modalities. I create the session around the client's individual needs.

I see clients at my home office, located at 976 Steam Mill Rd, Ithaca NY 14850 (8 miles South of Ithaca). I also work out of a massage office in downtown Ithaca, if that is preferable to a client. I do home visits for newborns, and can arrange to do home visits for other clients if there is a need.

My own healing journey with CranioSacral Therapy and is what inspired me to become a healing bodywork practitioner.

I studied CranioSacral Therapy with the Upledger Institute from 2010-2015. With the Upledger Institute I learned the CranioSacral principles and practices as well as Somato-Emotional Release, CST for Conception, Pregnancy and Birthing, and CST for Pediatrics.

I studied Massage at the Finger Lakes School of Massage, which gave me the license to touch so I can do CranioSacral Therapy.

If you're interested in a bodywork session, please be in touch.

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One client gave me a great compliment when she said “that was better than a nap!” (This was from a client who had just driven 5 hours to attend a conference, and before the conference began, had a 30 minute CST session with me). As everyone knows, sleep is the great restorer of health, so being compared to the Master Healer was gratifying.