Many people call me asking for craniosacral massage. The first thing I do is listen to why a person wants to come in. People talk about their health issues, and often say they’ve heard about craniosacral massage — yet they don’t really know what it is. It’s important to me to take the time to explain the basics, and then make sure they understand whether this work is a good match for what they’re looking for.

Craniosacral “Massage” Is Not Actually Massage

So let me start by clarifying: craniosacral therapy is not massage. It’s a light-touch manual therapy with a very different focus. It’s based on the craniosacral system — the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord — and how that system relates to the nervous system.

In massage, the therapist works the muscles. In craniosacral therapy, I use about five grams of pressure — roughly the weight of a nickel — to listen to the subtle rhythm of the craniosacral system and support the body’s own ability to release restrictions and come back into balance. Nothing is forced. The touch is so light that many people are surprised anything is happening at all, until they notice how different they feel afterward. I explain the mechanics in What Does Craniosacral Therapy Do?

People search for “craniosacral massage,” “cranial massage,” “cranial sacral massage,” and “sacral therapy” — they’re all the same thing, and the proper name is craniosacral therapy. Whatever you call it, you’ve found the right place.

Cranial Facial Release and Craniosacral Fascial Therapy

Two other terms people search for are cranial facial release and craniosacral fascial therapy. Both describe gentle work on the bones of the face and skull and the fascia connecting them — which is a core part of what I do. Through intraoral craniosacral therapy I also work inside the mouth, releasing the jaw, palate, and cranial base for people with TMJ, headaches and migraines, tinnitus, and sinus pressure.

And because I trained and practiced in Structural Integration for years before craniosacral work, myofascial release and craniosacral therapy blend naturally in my sessions. I follow the fascia wherever it’s restricted — neck, diaphragm, pelvis, feet — and let the craniosacral rhythm set the pace. For people with chronic pain, that combination is often what finally works.

Who Craniosacral Therapy Can Help

Just to name a few, it’s great for people dealing with:

• Chronic pain, including chronic neck and back pain
• Headaches and migraines, and concussions
• Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
• TMJ and jaw tension
• Scoliosis and orthopedic problems
• Stress, anxiety, and tension-related disorders
• Body-centered help with trauma release and PTSD
• Brain and spinal cord injuries
• Infant and childhood issues, including motor-coordination and learning difficulties

Because the touch is so gentle, craniosacral therapy can be used with almost everyone, from babies to seniors. There are a few contraindications — recent skull fracture, acute intracranial bleeding, or aneurysm — which we discuss before any session. You can read more at the Cleveland Clinic or the Upledger Institute.

What a Session Is Like

You stay fully clothed — wear something comfortable and loose — and lie on a padded table. A session normally lasts about 75 minutes. I begin by listening with my hands to the craniosacral rhythm, usually starting at the feet, sacrum, or head, and follow what your body shows me. Sometimes the whole session is quiet. Sometimes, when you’re ready, we talk about what’s coming up. Most people drop into a deep relaxation and leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more connected to their body.

How many sessions? It depends on the person. Many people feel a shift after one session; for a chronic issue, weekly sessions for a period of time tend to produce lasting change. It took months or years to get out of balance, so patience pays off on the way back to center.

How to Choose a Craniosacral Therapist Near You

When you search “cranial sacral therapist near me” or “best craniosacral therapy near me,” the results mix massage therapists, bodyworkers, and certified craniosacral therapists together. There’s a big difference between practitioners and therapists. Practitioners may have taken a class. Therapists who go through the rigorous certification process at the Upledger Institute are much deeper in the work. The touch is light and simple in a way, but there’s a lot of complex anatomy and technique to learn, and years of experience to gain, to become a skilled and helpful therapist. A few questions sort it out quickly:

• Are you certified by the Upledger Institute, and at which level? Techniques certification (CST-T) shows solid competence. Diplomate certification (CST-D) is the highest level and requires years of advanced coursework, mentorship, case studies, and examination.
• Is craniosacral therapy a stand-alone session, or part of a massage? You want a full session devoted to it.
• How long have you practiced it, and what do you specialize in? Look for someone who can speak to your concern — concussion, TMJ, migraines, trauma, chronic pain — not just “relaxation.”

I’m an Upledger Diplomate-certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST-D), the highest level the Institute offers, with about 30 years of hands-on practice. I’ve written more about how to find the best craniosacral therapist for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is craniosacral massage the same as craniosacral therapy?
“Craniosacral massage” is what many people call it, but the correct name is craniosacral therapy. It’s a light-touch manual therapy, not a massage, and doesn’t involve kneading or deep pressure on muscles.

Does craniosacral therapy hurt?
No. The pressure is about five grams — extremely light. Most people find it deeply relaxing. Occasionally old tension or emotion surfaces as it releases, but the touch itself never hurts.

How long is a session and what do I wear?
About 75 minutes. You stay fully clothed, so wear something comfortable and loose.

How many sessions will I need?
Many people notice a change after one session. For chronic issues, weekly sessions for a period of time usually bring the deepest and most lasting results. We’ll talk about what makes sense for you.

Where are you located?
My office is at 6797 N High Street, Suite 333, in Worthington, Ohio, serving the greater Columbus area — Dublin, Powell, Westerville, Upper Arlington, Clintonville, Grandview, New Albany, Gahanna, and Delaware. I also offer long-distance energy healing sessions by phone or video.

Find Out If Craniosacral Therapy Is Right for You

I love craniosacral therapy because it can help almost everyone. It’s attentive and gentle, yet profound. It nudges the body into self-healing and deeper awareness.

Ready to feel better? I’m Sharon Hartnett, a Diplomate-Certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST-D) through the Upledger Institute, with about 30 years of experience listening to the body and helping it heal. My office is in Worthington, Ohio, and I serve the greater Columbus area.

If you’re curious whether this gentle work (not craniosacral massage!) is right for you, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. Call or text me at (614) 653-8111.

Learn more about craniosacral therapy in Columbus, read answers to common questions about craniosacral therapy, or find out how to choose the best craniosacral therapist for you.