Cranio-Sacral Therapy Oxford

The science behind Biodynamic Cranio-Sacral Therapy:

Cranio-Sacral Therapy is derived from osteopathy. In the early twentieth century, osteopath Dr William Sutherland made a revolutionary discovery – that the bones and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord are not fused and immobile as previously thought, but actually expand and contract, following a subtle, continuous, rhythmic motion! This motion originates from the central nervous system and is expressed throughout every cell and structure of the body. Dr Sutherland found that this rhythmic motion is of profound importance to life – even more fundamental than the heart-beat or breathing. It is an expression of our very ‘life force energy’. He named this phenomena ‘the Breath of Life’ or ‘primary respiration’ to denote its importance.

Dr Sutherland discovered the Breath of Life possesses its own intelligence and self-regulating ability – continuously adapting and rebalancing itself in response to challenges in order to maintain health and balance in the whole system. However, excessive challenge such as unresolved injury, trauma or emotional stress causes restrictions and ‘holding patterns’ in our tissues, which impedes the free-flowing motion of our life force energy. This can lead to symptoms such as back pain, headaches, digestive issues or fatigue.

These discoveries totally changed Dr Sutherland’s treatment style from a mechanical to a ‘healing from within’ approach, working with the body’s own natural healing capabilities. His success rate went up exponentially with this new way of working.

We have all the ability to heal ourselves from within – Craniosacral Therapy simply reawakens our body’s own natural healing and rebalancing ability.

What happens during a Craniosacral Therapy treatment?

The first session will start with a short case history and discussion in order to clarify any symptoms or issues that you would like to address.

The treatment is carried in a quiet and peaceful environment, with the client lying fully clothed on a comfortable treatment couch. 

I start the treatment either in stillness or using some gentle guidance to help your body-mind access a state of deep relaxation.

Then using gentle touch on your feet, cranium (head), sacrum (tailbone), spine or other parts of the body, I ‘tune into’ the subtle, rhythmic ‘life force’ motions present throughout your whole body – noticing any places of tension or lack of flow – and gently helping your body to release these, and return to a state of wellness, balance and ease.

What conditions can Cranio-Sacral Therapy help?:

Craniosacral Therapy can be useful for a range of conditions including: back/neck/shoulder tension, jaw and facial pain, ENT (ear/nose/throat) issues, headaches and migraines, digestive and menstrual irregularities, injury and whiplash, anxiety, fatigue, emotional issues, auto-immune disease and any stress-related condition.

It can also be highly effective for babies and children who have suffered birth trauma or injury, as well as mothers pre and post-birth. For more information, please see this dedicated page.