CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY in Shelburne, VT

Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your CranioSacral session so that you can be comfortable lying down.

I offer 60 and 90 minute appointments to give you time to relax and unwind.

Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in the ventricles of the brain and it circulates through the central nervous system. It brings nourishment to the brain and spinal cord and removes waste. It also cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord so they do not bump up against the bones of the skull and vertebral column.

The cerebrospinal fluid circulates in a rhythm like a wave that ebbs and flows. This rhythm is called the craniosacral rhythm, and it can be palpated and felt throughout the body.

I think of the craniosacral rhythm as the rhythm of your nervous system. Releasing barriers to its flow restores your innate capacity to heal and to maintain balance.

Cerebrospinal fluid is contained within the central nervous system by a membrane system that is attached to the skull and vertebral column. This membrane system can experience strain and distortion, causing tension in the craniosacral system that restricts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

CranioSacral Therapy relieves tension in the nervous system by using light touch to restore the nervous system’s natural rhythm. This enables the body to self-correct and heal.

CranioSacral Therapy uses light, healing touch to unwind tension in the nervous system, leaving you feeling balanced, relaxed, and refreshed.

During the session, you may feel warmth, increased energy, relaxation, or gentle unwinding sensations.

As the tension in the nervous system unwinds, emotional energy can be released in a process called SomatoEmotional Release. The expression of emotion can feel cathartic and can be a powerful process to release trauma and stress.

Most people feel relaxed and restored after a CranioSacral session.

CranioSacral Therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the “rest and digest” mode of the nervous system. As a result, some people feel tired after a session, which is a sign that the nervous system has relaxed.

Others feel like they experienced a refreshing savasana or restful nap and have increased energy.

The body will continue its natural process of unwinding and restoring nervous system resilience for several days after a session. As this reorganization and release of stress and trauma is happening, you may feel greater ease in movement, and new awareness.

Many people also experience decreased pain, improved sleep, enhanced mood, and an overall sense of balance after treatments.

CranioSacral Therapy reinforces the body’s natural healing processes. It can be helpful for a wide range of conditions including:

• Chronic Pain

• Migraines, Headaches

• Eye Pain

• Acute Pain

• Orthopedic Injuries

• Neurodivergence, Learning Differences, ADD/ADHD, Autism, and difficulties with Sensory Integration and Processing

• Central Nervous System Disorders

• Memory Concerns, including Alzheimer’s and Dementia

• Peripheral Nerve Injuries

• Spinal Cord Injuries

• Scoliosis, Back Pain, Neck Pain, and Pelvic Pain

• Traumatic Brain Injuries, Concussions, and Whiplash

• Chronic Fatigue and Exhaustion

• Sleep Challenges and Insomnia

• Stress, Tension, Overwhelm, and Burnout

• Depression, Anxiety, and difficulties with Emotional Balance

• Fibromyalgia

• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and other Connective Tissue Disorders

• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome

• Trigeminal Neuralgia

• Immune Disorders

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome and digestive concerns like constipation

• Hormone Imbalance and Endocrine challenges

• Symptoms associated with cancer treatment

• Infant and childhood disorders

• Childhood and birth trauma

CranioSacral Therapy is not recommended for people who people who have an acute aneurysm, recent skull fracture, cerebral hemorrhage, severe bleeding disorder, or any other condition that would be impacted by small changes in intracranial pressure. If you are unsure about whether CranioSacral Therapy is contraindicated for you, please consult your medical provider.

Each person has their own pathway to healing. Most people experience relief after one session and can tell that CranioSacral Therapy will be helpful, however multiple sessions are typically needed to fully address longstanding neural patterns and deeper layers of tension.

Healing takes time, and it can be helpful to have the continued support of weekly or monthly sessions while addressing specific symptoms. Once you are feeling balanced, it can be helpful to space out sessions as needed for ongoing support and maintenance.

The intention is to restore your nervous system’s resilience so that your body can heal itself. We are here to support you through that process for as long as you need.

Unfortunately, CranioSacral Therapy is not currently a covered service by any insurance plan in the United States. This means I am unable to bill insurance for standalone CranioSacral sessions.

I am also a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and if I evaluate, diagnose, and treat you for a specific musculoskeletal or neuromuscular condition, I can incorporate integrative manual therapy into your treatment plan, if indicated.

I encourage you to consult your insurance provider about your out of network physical therapy benefits.

I can provide you with a superbill (for physical therapy services only) that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.