Craniosacral Therapy

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

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that works with the craniosacral system: the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. By using a touch no heavier than the weight of a nickel, a skilled practitioner can detect and release restrictions in this system, allowing the body to self-correct and heal.

At Align, Craniosacral Therapy is offered by Jeannie Kelley, an Advanced Rolf Practitioner and Cranial Therapist with deep expertise in structural and craniosacral work. Jeannie's approach integrates CST with her broader understanding of fascia, posture, and the body's innate healing intelligence.

What to Expect

Craniosacral Therapy is performed fully clothed, with the client lying comfortably on the treatment table. Jeannie uses extremely gentle holds at the head, sacrum, and other key points to listen to the subtle rhythmic movement of cerebrospinal fluid and identify areas of restriction or imbalance.

Sessions are profoundly quiet and still. Many clients enter a deeply relaxed, meditative state, sometimes called the "still point," where the nervous system is given space to reset. Some clients notice sensations of warmth, tingling, or gentle unwinding in the body during or after treatment.

A CST session typically lasts 60–90 minutes. Because the work is so subtle, it can take a session or two for clients to notice its full effects, which often include improved sleep, reduced headaches, and a sense of deep systemic calm.

Benefits

• Reduces chronic headaches and migraines
• Relieves neck and back pain by releasing dural tension
• Supports recovery from head injuries and whiplash
• Calms the central nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety
• Improves sleep quality and reduces fatigue
• Supports healing from TMJ dysfunction and jaw tension
• Complements Structural Integration and other fascial therapies

Is Craniosacral Therapy Right for You?

CST is particularly beneficial for clients dealing with chronic headaches or migraines, neck and back pain, TMJ dysfunction, post-concussion syndrome, stress-related disorders, and general nervous system dysregulation. Because of its extreme gentleness, it is appropriate for clients who cannot tolerate deeper bodywork.

CST is contraindicated in cases of recent cerebral hemorrhage, aneurysm, or other conditions where changes in intracranial pressure may be dangerous. Jeannie will review your health history thoroughly before beginning treatment.

Who It's For

A craniosacral approach to healing can be a relaxing and fortifying experience. These sessions generally support one's personal evolution, which is very individual. Often it encompasses our health, but also may include aspects like our connection and direction in life.

This work is well received by those dealing with a variety of common physical, mental, or emotional conditions, as well as 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. In this way, the work can also be a deeply personal or spiritual experience.

CST is especially beneficial in cases of severe injury, trauma, or impairment, particularly when other treatment methods have become either too taxing or unproductive. These sessions support the environment for the power that made the body to heal the body. Your practitioner, Jeannie Kelley, is skilled in a wide variety of methods including mechanical, functional, and biodynamic approaches.