Craniosacral Therapy

What Is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on manual therapy that works with the craniosacral system — the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using a very light touch, typically no heavier than 5 grams, a trained therapist evaluates and releases restrictions in this system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.

The therapy is based on the understanding that the body has an inherent self-correcting ability, and that restrictions in the craniosacral rhythm — caused by physical trauma, stress, or chronic tension — can interfere with this ability and contribute to a wide range of health problems. By gently working with the bones of the skull, sacrum, and spine, as well as the surrounding soft tissue and fascia, CST encourages the body to release these restrictions and restore its natural balance.

CST is non-invasive, deeply relaxing, and suitable for people of all ages — from newborns to older adults.

Symptoms & Causes

Craniosacral Therapy is used to address a broad range of conditions, particularly where conventional treatments have provided incomplete relief:

• Pain & Musculoskeletal Conditions — chronic headaches and migraines, neck and back pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain
• Neurological & Nervous System Conditions — post-concussion syndrome and traumatic brain injury recovery, neurological dysfunction and post-stroke rehabilitation support, chronic fatigue syndrome, and tinnitus and vertigo
• Stress, Anxiety & Emotional Wellbeing — anxiety, stress, and nervous system dysregulation, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and emotional tension held in the body
• Infant & Paediatric Conditions — birth trauma and colic in newborns, feeding difficulties, and developmental concerns
• Post-Surgical & Trauma Recovery — recovery after spinal or cranial surgeries, and scar tissue and fascial restriction following trauma or injury

Craniosacral rhythm restrictions commonly arise from:

• Physical trauma
• Stress
• Chronic tension

How We Assess It

Before beginning treatment, our therapist conducts a thorough assessment to understand your symptoms, history, and goals:

• Detailed history — understanding the onset, duration, and nature of your symptoms, as well as any trauma, surgery, or stress that may be relevant
• Postural and structural observation — noting asymmetries or patterns in the way your body holds itself
• Craniosacral rhythm evaluation — using a very light palpatory touch at key points along the body (feet, sacrum, thorax, skull) to feel the craniosacral rhythm and identify areas of restriction or asymmetry
• Fascial tension mapping — tracing lines of restriction through the body's connective tissue network
• Review of relevant investigations — where imaging or specialist reports are available, these are reviewed to support clinical reasoning

This assessment enables the therapist to develop a personalised treatment plan that addresses the root restrictions contributing to your symptoms, not just the symptoms themselves.

Our Treatment Approach

Each Craniosacral Therapy session at Symphysio is tailored to your individual presentation. You remain fully clothed and lie comfortably on a treatment table. Treatment typically includes:

• Craniosacral rhythm evaluation and balancing — light-touch holds at the feet, sacrum, pelvis, ribcage, thoracic inlet, and cranium to sense and gently encourage the craniosacral rhythm toward balance
• Still point induction — a technique that temporarily pauses the craniosacral rhythm, allowing the nervous system to reset and the body to self-correct
• Fascial unwinding — gentle guided movement that follows the body's own impulse to release deep fascial restrictions
• Dural tube release — addressing restrictions along the length of the spinal dura, which can influence pain and neurological function
• SomatoEmotional Release (SER) — where appropriate, supporting the release of emotional and physical trauma held in the body's tissues
• Integration with other therapies — CST is often combined with visceral manipulation, myofascial release, or other manual therapy approaches for a more comprehensive treatment

Sessions typically last 45–60 minutes. Many patients experience a deep sense of relaxation during and after treatment.

Benefits of Treatment

• Reduces the frequency and intensity of chronic headaches and migraines
• Relieves tension in the neck, jaw, and cranial structures
• Improves nervous system regulation — reducing stress, anxiety, and fatigue
• Supports recovery from concussion and post-traumatic symptoms
• Eases chronic musculoskeletal pain, particularly when structural approaches alone have not resolved it
• Addresses the root fascial and craniosacral restrictions underlying recurring symptoms
• Safe and appropriate for a wide range of patients, including those who cannot tolerate stronger manual therapy

Who Should Consider This / Contraindications

Craniosacral Therapy is generally very safe and well-tolerated. However, it is not appropriate for individuals with:

• Recent intracranial haemorrhage or aneurysm
• Acute skull fracture
• Herniation of the medulla oblongata (brain stem)
• Recent spinal surgery (within the first weeks of recovery — consult your surgeon)
• Conditions where changes in intracranial pressure may be harmful

If you are unsure whether CST is appropriate for your condition, please contact us before booking. Our therapists are trained to screen for these contraindications at your first visit.

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