Craniosacral Therapy

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Craniosacral Therapy in Sonoma County

What is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy?

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST) is a gentle, mind-body, hands-on therapeutic technique that works with the body’s inherent rhythms and subtle energy systems, particularly focusing on the craniosacral system (the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord). BCST is rooted in the belief that the body-mind has an innate ability to heal itself and that this healing process can be facilitated by balancing removing restrictions in the body’s internal rhythms and promoting deep relaxation. Developed as an evolution of craniosacral therapy (CST) by Dr. Franklyn Sills, BCST integrates principles from osteopathy, biodynamics (i.e., the study of forces and energies within living systems), and embryology to help restore balance and health. The therapy involves light touch, often no more than the weight of a nickel, with the practitioner tuning into the subtle, rhythmic pulses of the craniosacral system and the body's deep tissues.

The core concept of BCST is the presence of the "Breath of Life," a vital force that is thought to underpin all physiological processes and create natural, rhythmic pulses throughout the body. The practitioner works with the craniosacral system to access and support the body’s deep physiological rhythms, which are thought to govern not only physical health but also emotional and psychological well-being. The goal of BCST is to encourage the body's innate self-regulation and to facilitate a return to a state of balance and health, reducing pain, increasing mobility, resolving trauma, and supporting emotional and physical well-being.

How It Works...

In a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy session, both the client and practitioner engage in a subtle, collaborative process that involves deep listening, gentle touch, and the cultivation of a safe and trusting environment. The session is often experienced as deeply relaxing and nurturing, but it can also support profound physical, emotional, and psychological shifts and releases.

Client's Role

  • Lie Relaxed and Receptive: The client lies fully clothed on a treatment table, often on their back, in a comfortable and relaxed position. They are encouraged to remain still and open to the experience, but also to communicate if anything feels uncomfortable.
  • Mindfulness and Awareness: Clients are invited to bring awareness to their body, breathing, and any sensations or emotions that arise during the session. This mindfulness can help the client stay present with the subtle shifts that occur in their body. The client may notice any number of changes, including increased relaxation, tingling, gentle pulsations, and emotions.
  • Trust and Surrender: The client’s role is to trust the process to the extent that they can, allowing the body’s natural rhythms and healing potential to guide the session. It’s a receptive role in that the client doesn't need to "do" anything, but instead to let go and allow the practitioner to work with the body’s inherent vitality.
  • Communicate with the Practitioner: BCST can, at times, bring up strong emotions and physical reactions. The client is invited to communicate what is happening physically and emotionally to the provider so the provider can best support the client.

Practitioner's Role

  • Listening and Assessing: The practitioner uses light touch, typically on the head, spine, sacrum, or other parts of the body, to "listen" to the body’s natural rhythms. This includes the craniosacral rhythm (the subtle movement of cerebrospinal fluid) and other bioelectric patterns. They assess areas of tension, restriction, or imbalance that may be affecting the client's well-being.
  • Facilitating the Body's Self-Regulation: The practitioner doesn't "fix" or "do" things to the body; instead, they support the body’s intrinsic ability to self-regulate and heal. Through their gentle touch, they encourage the release of deep-seated tension and blockages, allowing the body’s natural healing processes to unfold.
  • Creating a Safe, Grounded Presence: The practitioner cultivates a calm, centered, and grounded presence, which helps the client feel safe and supported throughout the session. This presence helps establish a non-judgmental space where healing can take place on physical and emotional levels.
  • Subtle Techniques and Adjustments: Using very light touch (often no more than the weight of a nickel), the practitioner may apply gentle manipulations to areas of the body that are holding tension or discomfort. These subtle movements help to facilitate a release of stuck energy or trauma, allowing the body’s natural rhythms to restore balance.

What is the Craniosacral System?

The craniosacral system refers to the network of structures that include the brain, spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the membranes that surround and protect them. The system begins with the brain and spinal cord, which are encased within the skull and vertebral column. The cerebrospinal fluid bathes the brain and spinal cord, providing them with essential nutrients and removing waste products. It circulates through the ventricular system in the brain and the subarachnoid space around the spinal cord, maintaining a consistent pressure that protects the nervous system. The meninges are the three layers of connective tissue that envelop the brain and spinal cord. The craniosacral rhythm is the subtle pulsation of the cerebrospinal fluid, and this rhythmic movement can be palpated at various points on the body, such as the skull and the sacrum.

The sacrum plays a crucial role in the craniosacral system, as it forms the base of the spinal column and is intricately linked with the rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid. The sacrum’s motion is coordinated with the movement of the cranial bones via the pulsations of the cerebrospinal fluid. The cranial bones are connected by sutural joints that allow for tiny movements in response to the rhythmic flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This movement is especial in the primary respiratory mechanism of the body, which governs the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and is linked to the body’s overall health and vitality. The craniosacral rhythm, which is distinct from the heartbeat and respiratory rhythm, is the key indicator used by craniosacral therapists to assess and guide the body’s healing process, as it reflects the health and balance of the central nervous system and the structures that protect it.

Conditions for Which BCST May Be Helpful

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that works with the body's natural rhythms and fluctuations in the cerebrospinal fluid, making it beneficial for a wide range of physical, emotional, and psychological conditions. BCST is rooted in the understanding that the body has an inherent ability to self-heal and that disturbances in the body's rhythms can lead to health issues. By facilitating a return to balance and flow in the body’s craniosacral system and beyond, BCST is well-established as a deeply supportive complementary therapy.

BCST is a highly versatile integrative therapeutic modality that can be effective for a wide variety of physical, emotional, and psychological conditions. Its gentle approach allows it to support individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. Whether addressing chronic pain, stress-related issues, trauma recovery, or emotional imbalances, BCST can promote deep relaxation, release of tension, and overall healing. While it is not a replacement for medical care, both research and anecdotal evidence suggest that BCST is an appropriate supportive approach for a wide range of issues.

Physical Conditions

Chronic Pain

Physical Trauma & Injury

Musculoskeletal Issues

Neurological Conditions

Sleep Disorders

Digestive Issues

Hormonal Issues

Chronic Inflammation

TMJ

Fibromyalgia

Headaches & Migraines


Emotional Conditions

Anxiety & Stress

Trauma & PTSD

Panic Attacks

Dissociation

Depression & Mood Disturbance

Unresolved Grief & Loss

Self-Esteem

Body Image Issues

Emotional Regulation & Resilience

Feelings of Overwhelm

Brain Fog

Developmental Conditions

Infant & Child Health

Child Emotional Health & Well-Being

Colic & Excessive Crying

Childhood Digestive Issues

Autism Spectrum Issues

ADHD & Attention Issues

Coordination & Motor Development

Birth-Related Issues

Sensory Processing Issues

Behavioral Issues

Emotional Dysregulation

The Practice of Craniosacral Therapy

The practice of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy by practitioners in California who are not licensed by the state to provide hands-on services is permitted by Senate Bill 577, which was signed by the governor in 2002. SB 577 requires the following disclosures:

  • Sil Machado, Ph.D. is not a licensed physician and the craniosacral therapy services he provides are not licensed by the state.

  • Sil Machado, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist. Craniosacral Therapy is not in the scope of practice of psychologists licensed in the state of California.

  • When Sil Machado, Ph.D. provides craniosacral therapy services, he is practicing according to his training in biodynamic craniosacral therapy.

  • Sil Machado, Ph.D. has studied biodynamic craniosacral therapy with the STAR Institute in Northern California.

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