CranioSacral Therapy (CST) utilizes light, hands-on contact that facilitates deep listening in order to hear the story of the client’s body. Through its micro-movements, subtle pulsations and rhythms, the body speaks. A skilled CST practitioner is able to track the inherent healing potential of the client’s body and in doing so, facilitate the release of resistance patterns.
The primary focus of CST is hearing the health of the system and encouraging its expression. As the founder of Osteopathy, Andrew Taylor Still said, “It is the object of the physician to find the health, anyone can find disease.” This is the true aim of CranioSacral Therapy.
History of CranioSacral Therapy
CranioSacral Therapy was first developed by Dr. William Garner Sutherland circa 1920. Dr. Sutherland was an osteopath who was struck with the insight that some of the cranial bones were designed for movement. Inspired by the possibility of this idea, he spent 40 years researching and developing the sensitivity to palpate subtle movement fluctuations in the cranium.
Through his life’s work, he came to appreciate that this subtle movement seemed to be a deeply intelligent force, bringing organization and health to the entire body. When it was in full expression and flow through the bones and soft tissue of the cranium and spine, a variety of health conditions were relieved. He named this phenomenon, “the tide” indicating the fluidic and life-giving properties of its flow.
In palpating this subtle, symmetrical movement in the cranium and spine over many years, Dr. Sutherland found that it wasn’t always readily palpable or even. Instead, he found that the bones and soft tissue of the cranium and spine were often held in lesion patterns that resisted this gentle movement.
In their fixated position, they contributed to structural imbalances causing a host of imbalances in the body. Through deep listening to the “tide” in conjunction with subtle manual manipulations of both bone and soft tissue, he could create increased balance in the system. This greater sense of balance subsequently allowed for increased movement in the entire system. This increased movement enhanced metabolic activity, stimulated fluidic flow, eased chronic nervous system firing patterns, and brought a general sense of well-being and ease.
Today, CranioSacral Therapy has developed as a practice that honors these basic discoveries of Dr. Sutherland. It has been further developed by Dr. Rollin Becker, Dr. John Upledger, Dr. James Jealous, and Franklyn Sills.
Benefits of CranioSacral Therapy
The experience of CranioSacral Therapy is that of deep relaxation and rejuvenation. Clients often report feeling nourished and revitalized, as though they are both deeply rested and fully awake. CST has been found to boost immune system functioning, release chronic tension patterns, address nervous system imbalances, improve digestion, revitalize deep sleep and eliminate stress.
This gentle therapy effectively addresses physical pain in the head, neck, and spine, including headaches and migraines, TMJ syndrome, and whiplash. Additionally, CranioSacral Therapy is an effective tool for recovering from traumas and injuries, especially car accidents, sports injuries, and surgeries. CST can be a powerful and subtle way to address deep, underlying issues that continually create stress, injury, and pain in the body.
Who We Are
Colorado Body Wisdom is a healing arts and massage studio located in Boulder, Colorado. We are committed to providing the highest quality treatments delivered with compassion by only the most skilled therapists in the field. Our mission is to spread health and relieve suffering through the compassionate, skillful, and joyful practice of massage therapy, healing arts, and wellness education.
We strive to assist clients in living satisfied and authentic lives by: delivering the highest quality massage and therapeutic treatments; receiving clients with deep compassion while creating a safe space for emotional release and personal discovery; and orienting our treatments towards each client’s innate health–not their illness or pain.
At Colorado Body Wisdom, the well-being of our therapists is just as important as that of our clients. CBW owner, Rachel Scott, founded the company with the intention of creating a mutually supportive, inclusive, and harassment-free work environment for women in the healing arts. CBW is committed to providing a safe space for female practitioners to develop their skills and build a career in a profession they love.
We invite you to come in and experience the multitude of benefits of massage therapy for yourself!
