What is Craniosacral Therapy? And what to expect in a session

By natalie |

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY What is Craniosacral Therapy?

One of the foundations of CST is that the mind and body are resilient and have an innate ability to heal themselves. CST is a gentle hands-on technique that works with the nervous system to allow the body to make it’s own corrections, adjustments and releases so healing can happen from the inside out.

By using soft touch and gentle holds on particular parts of the body, a practitioner can release restrictions in the body, helping to relieve pain, reduce tension, and improve overall well-being. CST works on the central nervous system, which affects the entire body, making it a powerful support for both physical and emotional health.

What to Expect in a Craniosacral Therapy Session

A typical CST session lasts about 45–60 minutes and takes place in a quiet, comfortable setting. You’ll remain fully clothed and lie on a treatment table, often with a blanket or bolster for support.

The practitioner will use light touch at various points on your body—most commonly the head, neck, back, and sacrum—to assess and gently support the natural rhythm of your craniosacral system.

Many people find sessions deeply relaxing. It’s not unusual to experience a sense of calm, emotional release, or even subtle shifts in the body as it responds. Some clients notice changes immediately, while others may feel the effects over the following days.

Reactions during a treatment…

The most common responses are a deep sense of relaxation, reduction in pain, muscle twitching and the body letting go of any stresses and tensions, whilst tissues unwind and the body realigns. Sometimes an emotion or old memory can come up to be released and processed. Some may feel a short increase of pain in a seemingly unrelated area as the body is letting go of an old injury. Overall the most common one is symptom reduction, profound sense of relaxation, muscle twitching and internal shifts happening as tissues unwind.

Other common experiences people experience during a session:

  • Warmth or tingling in the area being touched

  • A gentle pulsing or rhythmic motion within the body

  • Waves of relaxation or a feeling of “dropping in”

  • Emotional release or a quiet sense of clarity

  • Subtle shifts, like bones or tissues gently settling into place

  • A sensation of floating, lightness, or spaciousness

Above all, CST invites stillness. It’s a space where your body can pause, reset, and tap into its own natural healing intelligence.

How to get the best out of your session…

As I move around your body following fascial pulls and restrictions, fluid motion and compressive forces, try and go within. I may stay in one place for a longer time particularly when there is a blockage, restriction or high activity. All my treatments are different and depend on what comes up and what needs to be addressed in that session. Setting time aside for yourself after a treatment is a good thing.

Who Can Benefit?

CST is suitable for people of all ages and is often used to help with:

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Chronic pain

  • Stress and anxiety

  • Sleep disturbances

  • TMJ issues

  • Post-surgical recovery

  • Trauma and emotional processing

PLUS MORE….

Posted in Consulting

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