CranioSacral Therapy

Dr. Allison Nabours has studied craniosacral therapy through Bastyr University and Vital Integrative Systems where she has accumulated over 2,000 hours of training and clinical practice, including extensive training and experience in the treatment of babies and children.  Schedule an appointment with Dr. Nabours to learn more about craniosacral therapy and to discuss how the healing benefits of craniosacral therapy can help you or your loved ones.

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What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy was developed by osteopath, William D. Sutherland, in the early 1900’s as a way to identify and release restrictions in the movement of cranial (skull) bones, membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and fascia (connective tissue throughout the body). By releasing these restrictions, the practitioner is able to assist the body in regaining balanced function of the nervous, muscular, lymphatic, hormonal, and gastrointestinal systems. Craniosacral therapy can be helpful in furthering physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

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What does Craniosacral Therapy feel like?

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, non-invasive, hands-on form of bodywork that follows the subtle movement of the body's connective tissue. The patient is fully clothed during treatment and the practitioner uses light pressure (the weight of a nickel) with his or her hands over the restricted areas in order to gently release fixations.

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Most people feel very relaxed and sometimes fall asleep during treatment. Tingling, heat, feelings of movement inside the body, or feeling as if floating on water are commonly experienced as restrictions are released. Very profound healing can occur during sessions, as the relaxed state the therapy induces allows people to tap into their subconscious and resolve long standing issues, belief patterns, and blocks to healing that have prevented total health.  Many patients find that craniosacral therapy facilitates the  release of strong emotional and traumatic memories that are often stored in the body's connective tissues at the time of an event. The release of these negative emotions and related physical restrictions can lead to reduced physical pain and discomfort, allowing significant physical and emotional healing.

 

What are restrictions and how do they happen?

Trauma, accidents, and injuries are all common causes of restrictions as they have the potential to damage several types of tissue including bone, muscle, nerve, fascia, and membranes. When resultant scar tissue forms, it tends to be shorter and less flexible than the original tissue, which alters the balance and fluidity of the fascial network. Fevers, chemical exposures, and imbalances in hormones can affect the movement of fascia as well, affecting the function of muscles and alignment of the underlying skeletal system. Mental and emotional stress can also cause alterations in the fascia. Many people acknowledge that they hold their daily stress in their shoulders and this pattern of tension over time restricts the mobility of the fascia over the muscles often resulting in misalignment of the bones of the cervical and thoracic regions. In children, the birthing process can result in restrictions of the fascia due to the magnitude of cranial pressures involved. Incredibly responsive to craniosacral therapy, babies release these fascial restrictions quickly and easily.
 

What can Craniosacral Therapy help?

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle and effective therapy, and therefore appropriate for almost any health issue. It is especially appropriate for patients who have contraindications to adjustments, such as osteoporosis.

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Consider incorporating CranioSacral Therapy into your treatment plan to address the following:

• Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, & Hyperactivity

• PANDAS & PANS 

• Migraine Headaches

• Chronic Neck and Back Pain

• Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

• Chronic Fatigue

• Stress and Tension-Related Problems

• Hormonal Imbalances

• Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders

• Motor-Coordination Impairments

• Colic

• Autism

• Central Nervous System Disorders

• Orthopedic Problems

• Spinal Cord Injuries

• Scoliosis

• Infantile Disorders

• Learning Disabilities

• Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)

• Neurovascular or Immune Disorders

• Post-Surgical Recovery

• Strabismus

• Addictions

• Allergies

• Gastrointestinal Issues (ulcers, Irritable Bowel Disease, Crohns, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux)

• Arthritis, Gout, and other Rheumatisms

• Autoimmune disease

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