Treatment Modalities
Our primary treatment modalities are gentle and non-invasive, yet they work deeply in the body. Though the therapies are each distinct, they blend together in the treatment process to create a holistic form of therapy and a whole-person approach. At the foundation of this approach is an understanding that your body possesses an inherent self-correcting and self-healing intelligence. We need only connect with that intelligence, listen to and follow its guidance.
Craniosacral Therapy
Deeply relaxing, self-healing, light-touch modality
Craniosacral System: environment of the central nervous system
Core information system in the body
Whole-body treatment activating natural self-correcting mechanisms
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a calming and balancing modality that works with the physical environment of the central nervous system. The craniosacral system includes the brain and spinal cord, the dural membranes that surround them, the cerebrospinal fluid inside the membranes, and the bones of the cranium and sacrum. This is the core structure in our bodies, holding the information system that effects our functioning from head to toe.
As such, the craniosacral system may be considered the central integrating system in the body.
CST is a whole-body treatment where the practitioner works, through this system with your inherent self-healing intelligence and body wisdom.
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Rhythm and dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid
Balancing bone and membrane structures of the head
Activation of inherent self-correcting movement
Decompression, mobilization-relief of pressure and strain
Treatment is largely initiated by working with the rhythm and flow of the cerebrospinal fluid inside the dural membranes. This activates self-correcting movement from these core membranes outward through the connective tissue (fascial) system. The ripple effect can travel anywhere in your body through the three dimensional fascial matrix. The rhythmic dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid are also used to work specifically with the bones of the head.
Like the inner workings of a wrist watch, the twenty-two bones of the cranium move intricately in relation to each other, and in coordination with cerebrospinal fluid movement.
The cranial bones are also structurally connected with the dural membranes surrounding and partitioning the brain. Therapeutic techniques often involve relaxing, mobilizing, decompressing and balancing these bony and membranous structures. This provides space for the anatomy of our brain and spinal cord to reorganize around homeostasis and improved function. Increased blood flow and nerve conductivity help maintain a healthier environment for your central nervous system to heal itself.
Bring balance to Autonomic Nervous System
Drop into a Still Point: deep, core relaxation
Move from “fight or flight” to “rest and repair”
Body’s natural self-healing capacities awaken
Because CST addresses specific anatomy in the cranium, it is a go-to treatment for headache, head trauma, jaw pain, sinus problems, balance and equilibrium issues, ear or eye conditions and more.
By working with the environment of the central nervous system, Craniosacral Therapy directly affects the autonomic nervous system, which regulates our stress response.
The autonomic nervous system has two divisions: sympathetic (stress response/fight or flight), and parasympathetic (relaxation response/soothe and settle). For most of us, the sympathetic response is overactive, and due to this imbalance our stress levels are higher than we’d like.
Craniosacral Therapy brings balance to the autonomic nervous system by quickly awakening the parasympathetic response.
During treatment, the rhythmic motion of cerebrospinal fluid may cease its movement, inviting the body into a Still Point. The Still Point creates a deep, core relaxation in the body and mind—a shift in our autonomic nervous system that moves us easily from a stressful state to a calm and balanced state. As we move into homeostasis, our body’s natural self-correcting, self-healing capabilities are awakened.
Sound Healing
Blends beautifully with Cranioscral Therapy
Creates deep relaxation and a core shift in the nervous system
Induces self-correcting, balancing activity
On the treatment table, Sound Healing works synergistically with Craniosacral Therapy, as it awakens the parasympathetic response in our autonomic nervous system. Tones and harmonics from sound instruments down-regulate the fight or flight response, soothing and settling our body and mind.
Through frequency and resonance, we invite attunement and coherency into the nervous system and throughout our body.
As with the Still Point in Craniosacral Therapy, healing frequencies create a core shift toward homeostasis and equilibrium, along with self-correcting tissue release. Sound instruments are used in this holistic way to work in harmony with your inherent healing intelligence. The instruments are also used with more specific applications. Some examples include:
Didgeridoo
With its low frequency tone and vibration, the didgeridoo has a centering and grounding effect. Depending on how it is used, it can be deeply calming, or powerfully energizing. Sometimes it can be both! It works quite well to mobilize bony joints, including the sutures of the cranium. It also helps move fluid through the tissues, particularly the lymphatic fluid. This aboriginal instrument is very effective at deconstructing unwanted patterns in the body, be they physical, mental, emotional or spiritual.
Singing Bowls
Singing bowls can be used in relation to the seven energy centers on the midline of the body known as Chakras. Each chakra is represented by an individual note on the musical scale. Seven quartz crystal bowls, each matching a chakra note, are used to bring coherency to the energy centers and to the body as a whole. Singing bowls are also used to create a perfect fifth frequency. This frequency corresponds to the Still Point in CranioSacral Therapy, inviting equilibrium and deep core relaxation.
Tuning Forks
We use tuning forks calibrated to the perfect fifth/Still Point frequency. These can be held on the body in strategic locations. Vibration from the tuning forks resonates directly into the tissues, inviting relaxation and release in anatomically specific areas. This can be very effective on individual vertebrae and nerve roots, joints, cranial sutures, lymphatic vessels etc.
Monochord
The monochord is a rectangular instrument with thirty-two strings, and a thin, delicate wooden underside. This delicate surface is placed on the body and the 32 strings are strummed gently, bringing nurturing vibrations and harmonics directly into the tissues. This instrument resonates deeply into your core, calming the body, transporting the mind and inviting the autonomic nervous system into a deeply peaceful, restorative state.
Chimes
Chimes are used to soothe and settle, to nurture and nourish. Their exquisite, ethereal tones are lovely and enchanting. We often use them to begin a treatment session, gently inviting a holistic shift—a transition into healing awareness. We may use the chimes to end the treatment session, bringing integration and balance into body, mind and spirit.
Somato-Emotional Release
Treatment for past traumatic experience
Tissue memories: traumatic imprints holding fear, anger, grief, etc.
Emotions maintain powerful tensions in the body
May contribute to pain, dysfunction, health-related issues
