Craniosacral therapy is an extremely gentle and non-invasive way of building health and wholeness and resolving issues on any level, from physical injuries to emotional traumas. It is gaining popularity as people recognise its gentle effectiveness for conditions of all sorts, perhaps particularly in situations that are difficult to help by other means.

Because craniosacral work builds our vitality and responds to the individual it can help with almost any condition, stimulating our body's innate healing and self-repair ability. It is a truly holistic therapy, recognising that a symptom such as a headache may come from many sources, such as an old injury to a knee that has led to compensation patterns through the body, or habitual stress that causes contraction in the muscles of the neck, affecting blood supply to and from the brain, or countless other possibilities. The body itself guides the practitioner to work in whatever way is appropriate to that individual, so patterns become resolved at their roots, enabling very deep releases that are genuine and lasting. Some of the many conditions it has successfully helped are:

* acute and chronic pain, postural imbalances, injuries and strains, whiplash, sciatica

* stress, insomnia, depression, anxiety and trauma

* low energy and M.E., recurrent infections, digestive problems

* migraines and headaches, menstrual disorders, cystitis, fertility issues

* dental and TMJ problems, sinusitis, tonsillitis, ear infections and glue ear

* asthma, hyperactivity, autism, epilepsy and learning difficulties

* babies' colic, feeding problems, poor sleep, restlessness and failure to thrive

Any injury, stress, shock or trauma that is too much to process at the time will tend to become held in the tissues of the body, causing obvious or more subtle effects on bones, tissues and nerves and restricting the flow of energy, blood and the cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds and bathes the brain and spinal cord. In a CST session the client is usually lying down, fully clothed (please wear comfortable clothing if possible), and the practitioner makes gentle contact with the body, "hearing" these contractions and restrictions with the hands whilst also feeling the wholeness and potential for health that is available in every situation and allowing the body to rest deeply in peaceful stillness. This enables the body to hear itself more clearly and begin to make the changes that are needed to restore health and vitality, both generally and with regard to specific symptoms. Different people will have different experiences of this profound process, commonly deep relaxation, warmth, tingling, and feeling some of the subtle movements that are occurring in the body.

Physically, craniosacral therapy can help to relieve postural imbalances, scar tissue, recent and long-standing injuries and strains, both those currently causing symptoms and those which may be basically recovered but leave an underlying weakness and susceptibility.

Everyday stresses and emotional tensions can also build up over time in our bodies, affecting our nervous system, energy levels, concentration and emotions. Because craniosacral work is truly led by the body it gives the system time to "catch up" with itself and resolve stresses through its balancing, calming effect, and build a healthy immune system with enough reserves to meet life's challenges.

More serious traumas, whether recent or from long ago, are particularly well helped by this extremely gentle treatment, which recognises the connections between emotional and physical issues and helps build up sufficient energy and resources to allow gentle resolution. Craniosacral therapy allows the body and mind to rest in a deep stillness that emphasises wholeness and does not judge our feelings, and so creates a very safe, nurturing and supportive space.

CST is also truly a journey into oneself, and one doesn't need to be ill or have problems to benefit from this – because of the peaceful environment and allowing of the truth of the body it can help us to initiate change on many levels.

Craniosacral therapy is especially suited to babies, children and the elderly as it is so gentle. Older people are often taking many pills and are uncomfortable with more invasive therapies. CST helps resolve aches and pains without any need for manipulation. Energy levels often increase as the body is given a chance to rest deeply after perhaps many years of gradually increasing symptoms.

Babies and Children

CST has become known for its gentle yet effective treatment of "typical" conditions of babies and children such as colic, feeding problems, restlessness, disturbed sleep and recurrent infections. During birth the baby's head is subjected to strong compressive forces. Particularly with a long or difficult labour, forceps or ventouse intervention, there may be residual effects which need some help to clear. Craniosacral therapy recognises the subtle effects of birth trauma on the still-forming bones of the skull which if left untreated may lead to more persistent problems. Caesarean birth presents a different set of challenges to the baby, which again can lead to symptoms that may tend to become ingrained if not addressed. For these reasons it is recommended that babies receive a craniosacral check-up as soon as possible after birth, to allow the best possible start in life. For women who have had CST during pregnancy I offer a reduced price check-up for their baby.

Children's day-to-day bumps and knocks also respond very well to craniosacral work, again avoiding problems building up over time, so it can be helpful for growing children to have a treatment once every six months or so. Other issues such as failure to recover from infections, or persistent colds or ear infections, are also helped by CST's effect on the drainage of the head as well as support of the immune system and building-up of reserves. It is perhaps unique in its ability to work with the often unrecognised after-effects of meningitis and other infections that can leave lasting and disturbing symptoms such as headaches and restlessness.

Pregnancy and Post-natal

Pregnant mothers also benefit from craniosacral therapy, as it tends to balance the whole body and emotions, supporting the mother's vitality which inevitably affects the baby and birth process. After birth, CST can help realign the pelvis and release the tensions that have been held in the body during pregnancy and the birth process itself, restoring vitality. For Caesarean births, CST can help with physical recovery of the scar tissue as well as clearing anaesthetic and the stress of the operation from the system.