unearth the root cause of symptoms

Unwind Trauma

Reconnect to the Clarity & wisdom in your body

create space to integrate

mind+body+spirit

Infant, Child and Adult Sessions

(Call for an appointment or consultation 505-577-7954)

what is Craniosacral?

Craniosacral is a gentle, manual therapy that has evolved from osteopathy. It uses touch to evaluate and rebalance both the craniosacral system (the skull and spinal column, together with the membranes and fluid which surround and protect them) and the rest of the body’s systems, allowing unobstructed movement of all fluids, tissues and joints. As a holistic therapy, it focuses on the body as a whole: body, mind and spirit. It recognizes that all structures and functions of the body, including the organs, are related and that any imbalance or dysfunction in one part of the body will affect the way other parts of the body work. Therapists believe that when a part of the body is altered due to physical trauma, emotional stress or illness, this can be communicated throughout the body by the blood, nervous or hormonal systems, giving rise to imbalances. The gentle touch of the therapist helps to create optimum conditions for the body’s natural healing process, encouraging it to overcome such imbalances and restore the body’s natural harmony.

CranioSacral may improve vitality, enhance movement and co-ordination, reduce pain and fatigue, improve the immune, respiratory and digestive systems, and improve heart function. It has also been credited with reducing anxiety and panic attacks, headaches, depression, sleep disturbance and other stress-related symptoms and so enhancing well being.

What should I expect at an appointment?

I will ask about your medical history and symptoms in order to determine any imbalance or overload in the body. This may include information relating to your birth and childhood to details of illnesses, operations and accidents, for example. You will remain fully clothed and will lie on a massage table. I then use my hands to ‘listen’ to the body and feel any congestion or restrictions. This usually involves a very light touch to examine the sacrum at the base of the spine and the head, as well as other areas of the body where they can feel the body’s natural ‘involuntary motion’, that is the subtle, rhythmical shape found in all the tissues of the body. You will feel the gentle touch as I very slowly and carefully use pressure to encourage the release of stresses throughout the body and head, repeating and re-assessing as necessary. CST is usually an enjoyable and relaxing therapy to receive, bringing a sense of physical and mental relaxation, and resting for an hour or two after should enhance your sense of well being. The number of treatments required will depend on your individual symptoms and imbalances, and your body’s ability to rebalance and recover. You might not notice the benefits immediately as your body may need time to adjust.

CranioSacral Work for Babies and Children
This work is suitable for all ages. It is a beautiful gift to babies to welcome them into the world as we offer an understanding gentle touch that allows them to process and release the stress and trauma of birth. It can be helpful with issues of nursing, colic, sleep, head trauma and concussions, learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism, and more. The ultimate result is realignment and ease in the fascia, structures and nervous system of the body allowing for more freedom and flow.

“I have been so lucky to be able to experience firsthand the dramatic effects of CranioSacral work on babies and mothers. Sometimes it may show up in improvements in breastfeeding, change in the shape of the head or just overall calming of the baby's nervous system to allow for better sleep, and digestion and ultimately a stronger immune system. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. I've been able to witness how improving just one of these stressors can bring so much more peace and calm to the family system during a time that can otherwise be filled with so many ups and downs. This sweet, nurturing, noninvasive work has been one of the easiest ways that I have found to be able to resolve physical symptoms and get to the root of mental and emotional issues while allowing babies and mothers a safe place to be seen and held. The most rewarding part is knowing that you are helping these families to build a strong foundation and giving them the opportunity to thrive instead of just survive.”

-Holly Chapman, LMT