About CranioSacral Therapy

CranioSacral Therapy & Fascia Release: Understanding the Foundations of Integrative Bodywork with Ava

by Ava Leben Wentzel, LMT, Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor

Why CranioSacral Therapy and MyoFascial Release?

CranioSacral Therapy (CST} and MyoFascial Release techniques blend very well with other modalities like massage, myofascial release, and energy-work, though their standalone benefit is also quite incredible. What happens in a CST/MFR session is a very subtle manipulation of the interosseous fascia in the skull as well as the fascia throughout the body. Fascia is found literally everywhere inside of our bodies; it is a massive web-like organism of connective tissue that interpenetrates and surrounds our organs, our muscles, our bones, and even our nerve fibers. And because fascia is one continuous sheet of connective tissue, the entire system is impacted when there is even just the slightest misalignment of it anywhere in the body. 

For example: Have you ever gotten a massage because your neck was aching, and then after a few sessions your neck felt great, but then suddenly you started noticing random ankle pains for seemingly no reason? This is evidence of fascia unwinding throughout the whole body.

Because fascia is one big web of connective tissue, the result of working on it is like a therapeutic domino effect. 

Why is it called CranioSacral?

When the body begins to soften and open up to these very subtle releases in the fascia-especially in the areas of the head, the spine, and the pelvis-the cerebrospinal fluid is able to revert back to its natural rhythm. Cerebrospinal fluid encases the brain in the skull, flows down the spinal cord, rests momentarily at the base of the spine near the sacrum, and then resumes its journey up the spinal cord and back into the skull. This constant ebb and flow of fluid within the central channel of the body, from the cranium to the sacrum, is essential for our wellbeing. It is when there is damage or trauma to the fascia that things begin to constrict and contort in ways that restrict this natural flow of cerebrospinal fluid. CranioSacral Therapy aims to correct the fascia which will in turn correct this fluid imbalance.

When cerebrospinal fluid is flowing poorly due to fascial restrictions, we might experience:

• Migraines or headaches

• TMJ pain

• Neck pain

• Low back pain

• Fibromyalgia 

• Chronic fatigue

• Anxiety

• Brain fog

• Memory problems

• Stress

• Lymphatic stagnation

• Nerve pain

• Sinus issues

• Nervousness

• Insomnia

• Fear

• Old doubts resurfacing

• Depression

• Mental dullness

• Difficulty letting things go

• Skin issues

• Congestion

• Menstrual difficulty

• Low energy levels

What does CranioSacral Therapy and MyoFascial Release feel like?

Although the work of CST/MFR sounds rather invasive due to the fact that we talk about moving the fascia between the bones of the skull, it is very subtle, gentle, and soothing. Oftentimes, recipients of CST and MFR will fall asleep or drift into a blissful state called “Yoga Nidra” or “Yogi Sleep” which is between sleeping and waking and is incredibly restorative for the mind and body. 

It is important to note that the goal of CranioSacral Therapy and MyoFascial Release is not to force the fascia to do anything in particular, but rather to tune into what the body is already doing to foster a deep sense of safety and the capacity for shifts to occur. By utilizing a very light touch (around 5 grams of pressure) and enabling the body to have autonomy during the session, the tissues don’t perceive CST and MFR as a threat; instead of the body kicking into fight-or-flight mode and tensing up like one might during deep-tissue massage, the subtly of CST and MFR enables the body to enter rest-and-digest mode. This is the absolute best state for the body to be in to allow for deep, significant shifts in the fascia and connective tissues. 

How often should someone receive CranioSacral Therapy and MyoFascial Release?

Once the effects of CranioSacral Therapy and MyoFascial Release begin to sink in, the shifts will just keep on coming. However, it does take some time to begin to notice these shifts in your day-to-day life; how long depends on the person and what their initial reason for trying CST is.

It might take just one session for 5 headaches a week to turn into 3. It might take three sessions to notice that you are sleeping throughout the night more often than not. And it might take a month or two of CST/MFR treatments before you notice that your anxiety doesn’t control your life anymore. Every body is different and there is no timeline for healing; remember that the fascia is, truly, a live organism with a mind and memory of its own. We cannot, and we do not, want to force these changes to meet our own agenda. They unfold with respect for and trust in our bodies. 

Is CranioSacral Therapy and MyoFascial Release a form of trauma release therapy?

Not intentionally so.

The goal of CST/MFR is not to tap into forgotten traumas—although sometimes, things can be unearthed and brought to our conscious mind. Because fascia is so incredibly responsive, it is with us through every movement, every breath. This fluid, web-like structure has the ability to remember and hold the memory of our experiences within itself. When people say, “Your issues are in your tissues,” they are talking about fascia. Fascia never forgets. Fascia is the record of our existence on a physiological level. Therefore, it is not uncommon for the work of CraniSacral Therapy and MyoFascial Release to lead to the emergence of past traumas, both physical and emotional.

It is important to note that your CST/MFR practitioner may not be equipped with the resources to help you navigate any unearthed trauma, but if trauma-release occurs in the session know that this is a normal and healthy response to CranioSacral Therapy and MyoFascial Release. If your practitioner feels you might benefit from seeking guidance from another healthcare professional to help you process anything stumbled upon in a CST/MFR session, they will kindly discuss this with you. If this should occur, however, it does not mean you need to end your CST/MFR sessions as they can be a beneficial supplement to any wellness practice. 

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