Why Craniosacral Therapy Works with Gentle Touch

I could get into the whole Craniosacral System (CS), but that may or may not bore you. Not all people are physiological geeks like I am. But I will say, that by Listening well to this CS rhythmic motion that has a deep inter-relationship with the Nervous system, an experienced therapist can help you way more than you ever imagined.  With the most gentle touch they can help your Inner Wisdom guide you back to health.

Just today, I had two clients with so much pain. Unlike massage therapy (which I also do appreciate) I didn’t have to go after muscles or do anything heavy handed. Believe me too when I say many people (who are in pain) who call thinking I do massage, ask for very Deep Massage. I used to ask for and do the same thing with Structural Integration too until I learned better. I stopped doing that because, for me, I found a better way. I am not interested in a strong handed approach. I know there is a way to let go of dysfunctional patterns and to help the body integrate longer term without forcing anything.

Some Massage Therapists are excellent at learning to layer, and to help the body to release myofascially. I have my favorite people who are awesome with this. Full of gratitude for their work. However, from my most profound experience, often the best work is done by listening to the CS rhythm and allowing both the fascia and the CSR to lead to long-term change. Why? Because when gentle hands-on listening follows the body’s own inherent self-correcting direction, there is no need for the body to fight aggressive hands massaging. It focuses on the the fascial system that holds everything together, promoting health and motion. No need for defending when the pain feels to raw or too much. The fascia and CS start to unravel old patterns that are no longer needed organically. No more sessions needed feeling very sore and overstimulated.

Just today, my first client seemed astounded how great she felt after the session. Not really my doing, but my support helped. Her body’s ability to relax and let go when reminded how to did the trick! I reminded her, this is the way you feel when you are not holding tension. This is more the real you, interconnected within yourself with fluidity and healthy structure.

My second client was surprised that her arm pain disappeared when It may not have felt like a lot was happening during the session. Although, I could tell she was deeply relaxed:) Pain does not necessarily go away by forcing one to feel pain that is not ready to let go. Pain may show up even in a gentle session, but only because it feels supported enough to slip away. I wonder sometimes if we want to feel our pain pushed because it’s all we know? But I am here to say there is a new way. Also, sometimes what feels like arthritic pain, is actually fascial restriction. This can change and it can heal. Gentle nourishment may be what is needed for neck and back pain to disappear.

Yes, there is still more to align most of the time, and old patterns need to shift cause life happens, but when someone has vitality and it is tapped into with the CSS, it’s amazing how much a body can heal. We can change our posture, and make choices which help us. Sometimes it takes a long time, but each session brings a new awareness of the “essential self” and that does know how to live in ease. Trusting your own body’s “knowing” is so important. Listening to it and allowing others to listen to it with supportive touch shifts the world inside.

So next time, you are thinking you want deep massage that hurts, ask yourself if you really need that? Or might it be better to learn to live with more gentle interactions that show the body what peace feels like.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D
703 509-1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com