CranioSacral Therapy (CST)
CST is a gentle, deeply relaxing yet very powerful hands on way of working with people to support self-healing of the mind, body, spirit and emotions. The practitioner's listening hands give attention to the 'Breath of Life', a rhythmic impulse that can be felt throughout the body. When working or 'listening', your body will sense the support available and use this to begin to release and let go of whatever it needs to, at that time. This allows your body to set the pace of work and therefore remain comfortable, in control and able to integrate the changes that occur. Memories of past physical and emotional trauma can become trapped in the connective tissues and membranes of the body restricting the free flow of energy. These restrictions can lead to ill health. The practitioner assists the release of these restrictions through "listening" and very gentle and subtle holding of the tissues, membranes, bones and fluid. If I am working on your face and am causing the skin to wrinkle I am doing too much, the less I do more will happen.
In the early 1900's an Osteopathic student called William Garner Sutherland discovered that the structures of the body were being moved by an incredibly gentle, subtle, internal and expansive rhythmic impulse. This impulse seemed to originate from the core of the central nervous system in the brain, spinal cord and the fluids surrounding them. Sutherland called his discovery the "Breath of Life ", what is known in oriental medicine as 'chi', 'ki' or prana, the energy that moves the planets, the tides, the seasons and manifests throughout Nature and the whole of the Universe. This discovery defined a hitherto unknown physiological system and a therapeutic approach to it that bridges the gap between structural medicine and energy medicine. This relatively new way of working has now become known as CranioSacral Therapy, or CST for short.
During the session all you need to do is take off your shoes. Most of the work takes place with you lying down, although some techniques require you to stand or sit. You may experience states of deep relaxation, heat, tingling sensations and energy releases. CST is so gentle that it is safe and suitable for people of all ages, from babies to the elderly, and also people in fragile or acutely painful conditions. Indeed, it is often appropriate when other ways of working may be unsafe, such as during the second and third trimester in pregnancy, after an operation, accident, fall or injury, and for young babies. Often what seems like a recent ailment or condition can have its origin in very early experiences including birth trauma.
CST for the newborn can help to resolve problems arising in utero and during birth, which could cause developmental and other difficulties in later life. Babies tend to respond more quickly than adults do to CST. Difficulties experienced in babies for example colic, sucking problems, breathing difficulties, restlessness and irritability can be relieved by CranioSacral Therapy.
Used after the first trimester, CST can assist the body to adapt to the growing foetus, bodily changes in the mother, and can help to maintain hormonal balance. CST can also be beneficial towards the later stages if baby is lying in an awkward position or if the head is not engaging to prepare for birth and if baby is overdue.
The following is a list of some of the wide range of conditions that may respond favourably to CranioSacral Therapy.
Allergies arthritis asthma autism back pain birth trauma bone/joint disorders, breathing disorders, bronchitis chronic fatigue colic depression digestive problems drug withdrawal emotional problems exhaustion frozen shoulder headaches and migraines hormonal imbalances hyperactivity infertility irritable bowel syndrome insomnia learning difficulties ME menstrual pain muscular aches and sprains nervous disorders polycystic ovaries post dental trauma rheumatism sciatica sinusitis spinal curvatures stress-related conditions TMJ/jaw disorders trigeminal neuralgia visual disturbances.
Jo trained in CranioSacral Therapy with CranioSacral Practitioner Training, Scotland qualifying in 1999 with a Diploma in CST. Jo has also attended courses for working with Babies and Young Children and also Visceral work and CST workshops in London.
First appointment lasts up to an hour and a half, which includes taking an extensive medical history, thereafter appointments are up to one hour.
For futher information or appointments contact Jo on 0131 556 0432