Craniosacral Work

Please note: Craniosacral Work is not a massage. It does not involve manual manipulation of muscle tissue.

Our craniosacral system consists of the bony structures, membranes, and cerebrospinal fluid that surround, protect, and nourish the brain and spinal cord. These systems are interconnected with the entire body via the fascial network.

The alignment and subtle rhythms of these core structures both reflect and determine not only the health of our central nervous system's function, but our entire being. When these levels of our being become compromised (from stress, accidents, and injuries) primary respiration (our inherent, regenerative life force energy) cannot flow freely, and disharmony results in the form of symptoms or disease. Craniosacral sessions help restore balance to these fundamental functions that underlie our health.

At Align, Craniosacral Work is offered by Jeannie Kelley, an Advanced Rolf Practitioner and Cranial Therapist skilled in a variety of structural, functional, and biodynamic methods.

What to Expect

Upon arrival, Jeannie will discuss with you what brings you in, ask about your health history, and then help you orient to the overall experience.

Craniosacral Work is received fully clothed, lying comfortably face-up on a cushioned table. Hand contacts are typically made at the heels, sacrum, and occiput, but may also include other parts of the body like chest, abdomen, under the heart space, or specific points on the head. These contacts are often held for long durations.

Sessions tend to be profoundly quiet and still. Many people enter a deeply relaxed, meditative state. On the physical level, this is where the nervous system is given space to rest and reset; at the soul level, it is a space to reconnect.

During the session, structural adjustments within the craniosacral system gradually unfold in a relaxed way. This creates more space for the inherent, self-correcting life forces to do their deeper work: the power that made the body is what heals the body.

Though most of the therapeutic work happens below the level of consciousness, occasionally 'content' (physical, emotional, spiritual) from stored stress in the bodymind arises as it is being transmuted. The container of these sessions supports being with what surfaces in a neutral way and also strengthens our capacity for integrating what is brought to awareness.

These sessions are designed to allow plenty of time and space for integration before transitioning back into your life activities. Most one-hour sessions consist of about 30 to 45 minutes of hands-on work followed by a few minutes of quiet rest alone before getting off the table, and/or discussion with your practitioner about your experience. This transition space is of equal importance to the manual therapy.

Benefits

A variety of common conditions prompt many people to seek Craniosacral Work as a gentle and effective form of symptom relief.

• Migraines and muscle contraction headaches
• Musculo-skeletal and neurological pain
• Head injuries, concussion, and whiplash
• Vertigo, tinnitus, and TMJ dysfunction
• Sleep disturbance
• Digestive difficulties
• Anxiety, PTSD, and nervous system dysregulation

Craniosacral Work is also well received by those who feel perfectly healthy. As a meditative or calming experience, it can be helpful in the return of mental clarity and abundant energy.

Additional Notes

Biodynamic Craniosacral Work is especially beneficial in certain cases of severe injury, trauma, or impairment, particularly when other treatment methods have become either too taxing or unproductive. Because of its gentleness, Biodynamic Craniosacral Work is also appropriate for clients who cannot tolerate deeper bodywork or structural/functional craniosacral approaches.

Biodynamic work can also be a deeply personal or spiritual experience, as these sessions support one's personal evolution. Often it encompasses our health, but also may include aspects like our connection and direction in life.

About Craniosacral Work

Modern day craniosacral therapies directly evolved from traditional Osteopathy, holistic medicine's manual practice and philosophy for health. The primary tenets of Osteopathy affirm that our body functions as a unified whole, that structure and function are reciprocally interrelated, and that the body is capable of self-regulation and healing.