A session of Craniosacral Therapy (CST) would start with a case history form completed prior to your appointment. During the appointment we would have a discussion about the reasons for your visit. This is an important part of the session as it establishes a good understanding of your needs with the practitioner.
Clients lie on a treatment couch (usually on your back, but can be on your side or sitting) fully clothed and with your shoes removed. The room will have ambient warm lighting to help you to feel relaxed and you will be offered a blanket and pillows for your comfort.
The practitioner will make a very light and gentle contact at various points on your body: this is according to where the practitioner is drawn to for healing. The Craniosacral System is predonimently the Cranium (Head) to the Sacrum (Tail bone), but treatment contact can be from any area of the body. This includes the feet, shins, thighs, sacrum (tail bone), hips, abdomen, various points on the spine, chest, shoulders, neck, arms, head. The practitioner listens to the client, both when the client speaks about feelings and sensations, history, life experience, and also through palpation where patterns of experience are revealed by the body.
Sometimes people assume by the name that the treatment only refers to the head. However, CST involves the whole person and this includes the mind, body and spirit during and after sessions.
Clients may become aware of sensations such as heat, tingling or pulsation, as changes occur. You may feel calm and energised, with increased clarity of mind and a feeling of well-being. A feeling that you have been deeply heard is a common experience during a Craniosacral session. Clients also feel deeply relaxed, better able to cope, energised, renewed interest in life, resourced and whole again.