Frequently Asked Questions

CST FAQs

  • Massage Therapy is primarily concerned with manipulating muscles. A wonderful side effect of these manipulations is a more relaxed nervous system.

    CranioSacral Therapy is primarily concerned with manipulating the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, which directly supports a relaxed nervous system. A wonderful side effect of these manipulations is more relaxed muscles. It could be thought of as an inside-out massage.

    I find that CranioSacral Therapy tends to get to the root of chronic pain issues on a deeper level than massage, especially as old emotional tensions are gently cleared away from the body. However, massage has an added benefit of more touch on the skin which is powerfully healing in itself.

  • CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is different from massage.

    During a stand-alone CST session, you will remain fully clothed. You will likely be lying face-up on a warm massage table for the session, but this can be adapted to a semi-reclined or seated position if needed. As your CranioSacral therapist, I will "listen" to the subtle rhythms of your body with my hands and follow them to areas that might be restricted. Using a very light touch I follow the restricted areas and wait for them to release and open.

    Keep in mind that every CST session will be a little different. Many people experience a very deep sense of relaxation during and after the session. Some people will fall asleep or drift into a state of almost falling asleep. Some people will notice shifts in their bodies as old tension patterns are released. This can be experienced as softening, heat, tingling, a feeling of giddiness, crying, laughing, and countless other ways. It is also quite normal to feel a little more anxious during your first couple of craniosacral sessions if there are old emotions coming up to the surface to be released.

    Some CST sessions are just soothing, relaxing, and quiet. Some sessions may include gentle work on the bones inside your mouth if needed. Some sessions may begin to use Therapeutic Imagery and Dialogue when appropriate. These sessions allow you to have a verbal conversation with your own Inner Wisdom to see what you need for self-healing. Some sessions will give you incredible insights into your Inner Wisdom without verbalization.

  • CranioSacral Therapy:

    I have studied CranioSacral Therapy and Somatoemotional release through the respected Upledger Institute. I am proud to have passed Upledger's rigorous standards for certification in CranioSacral Therapy techniques, and to be a teaching assistant with the program. My training with UI includes:

    • Craniosacral Therapy 1 and 2

    • Somatoemotional Release (SER) 1 and 2

    • SERTIP for advanced dialogue skills

    • Mouth Work Plus for advanced work on cranial bones inside the mouth

    • Craniosacral Therapy for Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth

    Energy Work Training:

    • Healing Touch Levels 1-3

    Healing Touch is an energy healing program recognized for its' standardized curriculum designed to integrate into conventional or alternative health care settings.

    Massage and PTA Coursework:

    Anatomy and Physiology, Massage techniques, Trigger Point Therapy, Oncology massage, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Neurological Disorders, and Pathology

    PTA Professional Training:

    • Mckenzie Method Parts A and B

    • Cupping

    • Kinesiotaping

    • IASTM

    Always a student:

    I really enjoy reading and learning about the Mind-Body-Spirit connection, how Trauma is stored in the body, new pain theories, and mindfulness practice. I am always happy to recommend books and other tools to help you on your own journey of healing.

  • It depends. For any chronic issue, please give CranioSacral Therapy at least 3-5 sessions to see if it will be an effective treatment for you. Many people notice some changes after one visit, but CST works with your body to stimulate your own self-healing process. This means that it may take some time for long-standing symptoms to resolve. Once symptoms have subsided, many people enjoy coming in just because it is so relaxing.

  • Not exactly…

    SomatoEmotional Release (SER) is an important component of CST, but it happens organically during the CST session if your “Inner Wisdom/ Inner Physician” is ready to address it.

    I pay attention to the changes in your tissues during every CST session, and I will probably ask questions if I notice certain qualities in your body tissues. This conversation with your body may lead to an SER, but it is not something that can be forced to happen (nor should it be). Very often, an SER will occur silently as well.

    My best advice to “prepare” for a craniosacral session is to arrive with a totally open mind. Invite your curiosity and your self-compassion to come along for the ride, and let’s see what happens!

Energy Work FAQs

  • The style of energy work that I use in my practice feels similar to Reiki in many ways, but it is based primarily on my training in The Healing Touch Program and Craniosacral Therapy.

    The Healing Touch Program uses a standardized curriculum and longer classroom hours with a focus on the “anatomy” of the subtle body. It was designed by nurses to integrate into conventional medical settings.

    Both Healing Touch and Reiki help to support healing, pain relief, and deep relaxation. They have their own unique philosophy and history, but both of them use the practitioner as a vessel to concentrate the flow of universal life force energy into a person’s energy field.

    The purpose of allowing this concentrated flow of energy is to help you harmonize your own energy field (which includes the Chakras), which allows for optimized self-healing.

  • The Energy Work that I do is most commonly incorporated into your CranioSacral Therapy or massage session by request. However, I am happy to provide a stand-alone Energy Work session if you like, and you would remain fully clothed.

    The majority of the treatment will be performed while you are lying face up on a comfortable massage table (or propped up on a wedge if you cannot lay flat), but there are certain techniques for clearing the spine that may be done face down.

    Your energy field and your concerns will guide me for which particular techniques to use each session, and my touch will either be very light on the body or off of the body altogether.

    Many people find this work to be soothing and relaxing and will fall asleep or nearly asleep. It is possible that some emotions will come into your awareness during the session, and this is completely normal. Some people notice shifts in their bodies as old tension patterns are released, and this may be experienced in many different ways.

Massage FAQs

  • I strive to make you feel as comfortable as possible during your massage, and I encourage you to ask any questions you may have before or during your session. After we discuss your goals, I will leave the room so that you can undress. You will be under a sheet and blanket, and you will be properly draped during the entire session.

    My treatment table and room are usually warmed, but can be modified for your comfort. I like to play soft relaxing music, and I follow your lead for talking (my default is to be quiet and let you enjoy a relaxing session, but you are welcome to talk if you like). I will ask about your preference for pressure and I encourage you to let me know if it should be more or less at any time. I absolutely do not believe that massage needs to be painful to be effective!

  • Consider your specific goals before choosing the length of your massage session. A relaxing full body massage can certainly be done in 60 minutes, but that will not allow time for focused massage. Remember that focused work (or deep tissue work) is slower work. If you have pain in your neck and shoulders, we can do an upper body massage in 60 minutes, or we can do focused work plus a full body massage in 90 minutes.

  • Everyone is a little different and this will depend on your goals and any specific conditions you are working with. If you have a long term issue with tension or pain, it can be helpful to get a massage frequently at first (once every week or two). Once the condition has resolved, coming in less frequently is just fine.

    Most people find that coming in for a maintenance massage at least once a month is beneficial to their overall sense of well-being. I try to provide self-care strategies to help you stay relaxed between sessions.

  • I am no longer accepting new clients for prenatal massage, but I am happy to point you in the direction of some great LMTs who are.

    I am accepting new prenatal craniosacral therapy clients.

    Established clients who become pregnant may schedule prenatal massage with me directly.

  • No. My pressure range includes light, medium, firm, and plain old deep when I apply my leverage and body mechanics ;-)

    However, I am not the best fit for anyone looking for very deep or extremely deep pressure.