CranioSacral / Myofascial FAQs:

How does CranioSacral therapy work?
How does a session feel?
Who benefits from a CranioSacral session?
Should I tell my doctor I am having sessions?
How long does a session last?
Suggested Reading
Self-help Tip

How does Myofascial therapy work?
How does a session feel?
Who benefits from a session?
Should I tell my doctor I am having sessions?
How long does a session last?
Self-help Tip

How does CranioSacral therapy work?
The CranioSacral system is similar to that of a hydraulic pump. The Cranial sacral fluid flows up and down the spine in a rhythmic fashion, and the pumping mechanism is located at the base of the head. When the bones in the cranium are misaligned, immobile, or asymmetrical the rhythm is affected and thus ones health. A light touch, as little as five grams, is used to encourage the bones to unlock, to align, and to expand and contract. The different areas of the cranium move in different ways and affect different cranial nerves and bodily functions. The therapist knows the positioning of the sutures and the directions in which they should move and intends for that coupled with the light touch. Due to the interrelatedness of all the sutures, the movement of one affects the others and the therapist is assessing this and the rhythm during the whole session
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How does a session feel?
A CranioSacral session is deeply relaxing. The work is subtle and delicate. The client may not even be aware of movement within the cranium but he/she will be aware of the change in their symptoms or pain. As ones head is being held it feels nurturing and supportive. A feeling of release, an AAAAHHHH may be heard, and then you, the client, knows a change has occurred within the system. This often occurs after the body has reached the still point, where the system shuts down to regroup and balance. This usually marks the time where there is an emotional component, which we will talk about in the Myofascial work.
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Who benefits from a CranioSacral session?
Anyone with a misshapen head, with asymmetry, someone who has experienced a traumatic birth, a forceps birth, and anyone experiencing the following: headaches, ear infections, babies with sucking problems, sinus infections, TMJ, torticollis, incorrect bite, vertigo, eye conditions, hearing loss, learning disabilities, autism, MS, cerebral palsy, hyperactivity, facial ticks, trauma to the head, sacrum or spine – like a whiplash.
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Should I tell my doctor I am having sessions?
It is always important to keep your doctor informed of your life style, your stresses, and how you take care of yourself. We are happy to communicate with your doctor (after signed authorization is received from you) on any areas of concern. It is never recommended that you stop or change any medications. We will advise you, that as your body receives these sessions and starts to normalize its functioning, you will need to closely monitor your medications, and pay close attention to how you are feeling. With the help of your doctor, you can determine if a change is needed and often less medication is needed as a result of this work.
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How long does a session last?
A session may vary from one hour to one and one half hours. Often cranial work is combined with Myofascial work and for an adult one and one half hours is most beneficial. Children may vary from 15 minutes to 60 minutes.
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Suggested Reading
Your Inner Physician and You, by John E. Upledger
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Self-help Tip
Place two tennis balls in a sock and tie it tightly. Place the sock under your occipital ridge and lay there for 5-10 minutes. This releases tension in the neck and occipital region and may induce a still point.
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How does Myofascial therapy work?
Your fascia is one piece of connective tissue running from your head to your toes. Restrictions, tension in the fascia creates tension in your muscles, organs and skeletal structure. By gently stretching and holding the fascia, it will eventually start to soften, to unwind, and to release its grip. This softening and unwinding allows the body to go back to normal positions and normal functioning, thus releasing pain, inflammation and restoring motion.
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How does a session feel?
It feels like you are being gently stretched from the inside out. As one area of the body softens and releases you may feel its connection to a totally different area of the body. This is how one comes to understand and experience the interrelatedness of their body and its symptoms. People often say they feel as if a weight has been lifted off of their bodies. As the body releases, you may experience an emotional component. Emotions may surface; old memories, and your body may recall physical and/or emotional events that have become logged in the cellular memory. These emotions and memories are encouraged to surface, and be acknowledged. This is the inner wisdom of your body, telling you what is stored in this area of discomfort and thru acknowledging this and looking to understand how it is affecting you currently one may release these old traumas and release the physical and emotional pain.
The therapist will not counsel you, but they may dialogue to help you access these feelings and go back to the incident that you are holding, so that you may process and release it.
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Who benefits from a session?
Anyone whose alignment is not perfect, whose head is tilted, shoulders rounded, pelvis tilted, anyone who has had a car accident or fall – no broken bones necessary! Myofascial is very beneficial for those with respiratory conditions, those having had surgery who have adhesions/scar tissue, leg length discrepancies.
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Should I tell my doctor I am having sessions?
It is always important to keep your doctor informed of your life style, your stresses, and how you take care of yourself. We are happy to communicate with your doctor (after signed authorization is received from you) on any areas of concern. It is never recommended that you stop or change any medications. We will advise you, that as your body receives these sessions and starts to normalize its functioning, you will need to closely monitor your medications, and pay close attention to how you are feeling. With the help of your doctor, you can determine if a change is needed and often less medication is needed as a result of this work.
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How long does a session last?
A session may vary from one hour to one and one half hours. Often cranial work is combined with Myofascial work and for an adult one and one half hours is most beneficial. Children may vary from 15 minutes to 60 minutes.
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Self-help Tip
Stand straight but relaxed. Breathe deeply and let your body move/sway any way it wants, like a rag doll. It may take a few moments before it starts to move, just keep breathing deeply until it does. Give permission for your body to unwind as your breath winds through the body and it starts to release just go with the flow!
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