CranioSacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation & Somatic Experiencing
CranioSacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation and Somatic Experiencing
Ursula Hoefler, PT, CST-T, SEP
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a light touch, whole body treatment approach with the intent of facilitating greater whole body/mind/spirit balance. Blending CranioSacral Therapy with Visceral Manipulation and Somatic Experiencing, allows for pattern change throughout all body systems by releasing built up or stored tension deep inside your body and supports the process of healing from trauma through our body-mind connection. CST is able to release restrictions, reduce/eliminate pain, improve postural alignment and assist in Nervous system regulation with the goal to optimize whole body health and well being.
Common Conditions Treated by CranioSacral Therapy & Visceral Manipulation
Chronic fatigue
Scoliosis
Acid Reflux
Digestive disorders
Migraines & headaches
TMJ syndrome
Women’s health
Chronic neck & back pain
Stress & tension-related disorders
Anxiety & depression
Fibromyalgia
PTSD
Investment
CranioSacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation & Somatic Experiencing
FAQs
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CranioSacral Therapy (CST), developed by osteopathic physician Dr. John E. Upledger, is a light touch manual therapy that seeks to locate and treat areas of tension in the body. Throughout our lives we endure stresses, strains, and traumas and our tissues absorb them until we can not handle the build up of tension anymore. This can negatively affect our nervous system and any other body system, resulting in discomfort, pain and disease. CST releases those tensions and allows the body to self correct to balance and wellness.
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Visceral Manipulation, developed by Osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral, is a gentle manual therapy that works with your viscera (internal organs) and assists in your body’s ability to release restrictions and strain patterns that cause pain and dysfunction. Just like CST, VM does not solely focus on the site of the pain or discomfort but evaluates the whole body to find the source of the problem. The treatment is a gentle compression, mobilization and elongation of soft tissues. In addition to physical symptom reduction/resolution and due to the fact that emotions can be stored in our organs, VM can help restore emotional balance.
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Somatic Experiencing, developed by Peter A. Levin, PhD, is a body oriented approach to support the nervous system to complete nervous system responses like fight/flight/freeze/fawn after trauma or chronic stress. It works with the felt sense in a titrated way with the goal to reconnect with safety, regulation and resilience.
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During a CST/VM/SE session clients can stay fully dressed (comfortable loose fitting clothing) and are positioned on their back on a treatment table. Each session begins with an evaluation of the whole body with a light touch to monitor the rhythm of the fluid that is flowing around your central nervous system to assess for decreased tissue motion or restrictions throughout the body. In addition to delicate manual techniques being used to release areas of dysfunction, you also connect to your felt sense to improve the function of the central nervous system and the body as a whole. A session is typically 60 minutes long.
What you experience during your appointment is highly individual and no session is the same. Afterwards clients in general report a feeling of deep relaxation, pain reduction, improvement of range of motion, a sense of balance in body and mind. The body will continue to process and integrate the changes for a day or two after a session.
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This is hard to tell. Some people feel better after only a few sessions, for some people it may take many more than that. On average people need 3-8 sessions for a reduction of symptoms and pattern change to wellness. After symptoms are resolved oftentimes clients continue to come in for follow up maintenance to help their body to stay balanced and to feel restored. If after 3 sessions you see no improvement or change of symptoms we will discuss and decide if CST/VM/SE is the right approach for you.
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