Barbara Hanachova

RM, IBCLC, RCST, LCHE, RSHom
Transforming lives through gentle expert care

What is Craniosacral Therapy

Unlock your body’s wisdom through the gentle power of craniosacral therapy.

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A bit of history

Craniosacral therapy (CST) has its origins in the early 20th century with the work of Dr. William Sutherland, an osteopath who discovered that the bones of the skull were not rigidly fixed but have ever so subtle rhythmic movements. He termed this the “cranial rhythmic impulse” and developed cranial osteopathy as a means of working with these natural rhythms to enhance health. Later, in the 1970s, Dr. John Upledger, an osteopathic physician, expanded upon Sutherland’s findings and developed Craniosacral Therapy as a distinct practice. Through his research at Michigan State University, Dr. Upledger provided scientific evidence of the craniosacral system’s role in overall health and pioneered techniques to release restrictions within it. 

Today, CST is extensively practised around the world as a gentle, hands-on approach to support the body’s natural healing processes, and continues to develop in popularity for a wide range of people. 

The name “craniosacral therapy” may seem to refer to working with the head only. But in fact CST works with the whole person and can experience changes in body, mind and spirit during and after your sessions.

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Who is it for?

Because it is so gentle and non-invasive, CST is suitable for everyone. I work mainly with babies from newborn to children of all ages. Women often come during pregnancy for help with the common ailments such as pains and aches, digestion issues, stress and anxiety etc. Postnatally I help mothers and their babies with issues associated with difficult or traumatic births. Letting go of tension and fear held in the body enables both mum and baby to settle into calmness.

CST supports your body’s innate ability to balance, restore and heal itself. The practitioner senses with their hands the tensions in the body, energetic blockages and rhythms of the cerebrospinal fluid flow. Using light touch we help to release and balance these tensions and rhythms in a supported and comfortable way. During and after a session you may feel release of discomfort, negative emotions as well as calmness, increased energy and sense of well-being.

For advice about whether craniosacral therapy is right for you, book the free 20min discovery call with me.

What to expect in a session?

During your first session I will take a written case history, listening with care to the reasons for your visit. This part of the session is important, both for gathering information and to establish a good understanding of your needs. The session typically lasts an hour, although it can vary especially for young babies. You remain clothed and will usually lie face up or on your side, or you may be seated; babies may be in the arms or even breastfeeding while I do the treatment. 

I usually start by placing my hands on your feet and ‘listen’ to your body. This light touch (there is no pressure) encourages your body to start listening to itself, relax and begin to make the changes it needs. I may then move my hands to other parts of your body – your head, spine, abdomen, pelvis etc. Because the body functions as a whole, I may seemingly focus on areas other than where your symptoms occur. 

Babies and even many adults often fall asleep during or after the session as a response to the deep, nurturing relaxation. The feeling that you have been heard in the truest sense of the word is a common experience.

After a session you may occasionally experience a short period of adjustment as the healing process continues, when you may become more aware of your symptoms. Sometimes people report relief after only one or two sessions. For long-standing conditions more sessions may be needed. Some people find they benefit most from regular treatments – you can think about it as your regular dentist check up or routine health prevention, to maintain the improvements in their physical or emotional symptoms, increased self-awareness and improved quality of life.

Different approaches

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) has evolved into several approaches, each with its own philosophy and techniques. While all forms of CST work with the body’s natural rhythms and the craniosacral system, they vary in their methods and depth of engagement. Here are some of the main schools of thought:

Biomechanical Approach

Rooted in osteopathy, the biomechanical approach follows the principles established by Dr. William Sutherland. Practitioners focus on assessing and adjusting the cranial bones, dura mater, and cerebrospinal fluid to restore structural balance. This method is often used by osteopaths and physical therapists with a more hands-on, corrective approach.

Biodynamic CST

This approach, influenced by Dr. Sutherland’s later work, takes a more subtle and intuitive path. Instead of manual corrections, practitioners listen to the body’s “breath of life”—a deep, innate intelligence that organizes health. They use gentle presence and stillness to support the body’s natural healing processes. 

Upledger CST

Developed by Dr. John Upledger, this method combines elements of both biomechanical and biodynamic approaches. It incorporates light touch, somatoemotional release (addressing stored trauma in tissues), and techniques to release restrictions in the craniosacral system. Upledger’s CST is widely practiced and has influenced much of the modern craniosacral training available today.

Visionary Craniosacral Work

Developed by Hugh Milne, this approach integrates craniosacral techniques with intuitive and shamanic elements. It emphasizes deep perception, working with the body’s energy fields, and exploring the emotional and spiritual dimensions of healing.

Integrative CST

This approach has been developed by Thomas Attlee and also combines elements of both biomechanical and biodynamic approaches while incorporating influences from other healing modalities. This method is adaptable and practical. It emphasizes a holistic understanding of the body, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and energetic health.

I had the pleasure of being taught by Mr Attlee at the College of Craniosacral Therapy (CCST) in London where the practitioners are trained to work with the craniosacral system using light touch while integrating insights from anatomy, physiology, and trauma healing. Unlike purely biomechanical techniques that focus on structural corrections or purely biodynamic methods that rely on deep stillness and perception, Thomas’ approach seeks a balance—addressing both the physical body and the deeper energetic field.

Each approach offers unique benefits, and the best choice for you depends on the practitioner’s philosophy and your needs. Whether focusing on structural alignment, energy balancing, or trauma release, all forms of CST aim to support the body’s innate wisdom and healing capacity. To discuss which approach might be best for you or your child, book your free call here.

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CST for Babies

There are various reasons why parents come to me with their babies:

  • Delivery types – babies delivered using forceps or ventouse often experience tension in a baby’s head, through their spine and spread to the whole body. This can also impact the shape of the head, cause bruising and discomfort especially when their head is being touched, when they are laid down or even have clothes or hats put on them. 

 

  • Feeding issues (breast of bottle) – if there is tension in the jaw joints, in the head, neck or whole body due to the pregnancy events, birth or tongue restriction, the latch and suckling can be impacted as all these structures are involved in feeding. The feeding can then be difficult, babies may be taking in excessive air leading to colic and reflux symptoms, sleep issues and so on. Intense or difficult birth can also lead to the baby finding it difficult to be comfortable in common feeding positions, they may have side preference, and feeding can be causing a great deal of discomfort to the mother too. 

 

  • They won’t stop sucking – babies who constantly suck, cluster feed or snack often do this not because they are hungry but because the sucking motion is calming to their nervous system, it triggers release of pain relieving chemicals and the motion actually relieves the tension in their head region (and from there through fascia throughout the whole body).  

 

  • Babies who need to be held constantly – often these babies have experienced a shocking or surprise delivery such as a C section or a fast vaginal birth. They may have been also exposed to some sort of stress during pregnancy, around or just before delivery which could have created a stress (‘fight or flight’) response in their body or anxiety feelings. These manifest in wanting to be constantly held, being very light sleepers or being jumpy or needing swaddling. 

 

  • Stiffness, arching back – when parents tell me that their baby had a ‘strong’ neck from birth, that is a red flag for me. The neck is not strong yet, it is stiff. This leads to arching back a lot and throwing themselves backwards. The root cause may be a very long birth, the baby being stuck in some position or perhaps they were engaged in the pelvis for a long time before the birth meaning especially their skull was compressed for a prolonged period of time. They are now upset, uncomfortable, struggle to sleep, don’t like being put on their backs etc. 

 

  • ‘Scrunched up’ baby – these babies usually have their knees curled up against their tummies and find it difficult to stretch up even several weeks after the birth. These babies also may have had a surprise delivery via C section or a fast vaginal birth and therefore haven’t had their bodies massaged and stretched out properly by the contractions as they travelled through the birth canal. This may lead to difficulty passing wind, colic and reflux symptoms. 
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The Perfect Combination

Craniosacral Therapy & Homeopathy

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) and homeopathy complement each other beautifully, as both modalities work holistically to support the body’s innate ability to heal. CST gently releases restrictions in the craniosacral system, promoting balance in the nervous system and enhancing the body’s self-regulation. Homeopathy, on the other hand, works energetically to stimulate the body’s vital force, addressing deep-seated imbalances on a physical, emotional, and mental level. When used together, CST can help the body become more receptive to homeopathic remedies by reducing tension and blockages, while homeopathy can enhance the effects of CST by addressing underlying patterns of dysfunction. This integrative approach fosters deep healing, making it especially beneficial for chronic conditions, trauma recovery, and stress-related ailments.

Craniosacral therapy is truly a beautiful healing modality and the results especially in combination with homeopathy can be mind blowing. You can find out more about my homeopathy services here and craniosacral therapy here

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