CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

What it is, what it does and what to expect

A Brief History of Craniosacral Therapy

William Garner Sutherland was studying osteopathy in the late nineteenth century when he noticed that the bones of the skull have bevelled edges that reminded him of the gills of a fish. Gills are made for movement. Sutherland wondered whether the skull might be the same.

He spent decades investigating the theory, including by constructing a helmet that could restrict the movement of individual cranial bones in turn and noting the effects on his own body. He observed what he described as a subtle rhythmic motion in the body, which he called "the breath of life."

Sutherland's work was continued by Dr. John Upledger, who in the 1970s led a research project at Michigan State University that studied this rhythm. Upledger gave the method its current name and helped make it accessible to a wider therapeutic community. Today craniosacral therapy is practised around the world, but its roots remain osteopathic..

How Craniosacral Therapy Works

I trained and practised in osteopathy for over 35 years before choosing to focus specifically on craniosacral therapy, a gentler, more listening-based approach that grew out of that same osteopathic foundation.

The craniosacral system extends from the skull down to the tailbone and is closely connected to the nervous system and the body's overall regulation. Disturbances in the system's rhythm, whether caused by an injury, chronic stress, an unresolved trauma, or the accumulated load of daily life, may affect the body's sense of ease and balance.

Craniosacral therapy works with these patterns through very light, listening touch. Treatment does not try to override the body. It invites the body to find its own balance. The therapist is not a mechanic fixing a broken system, but rather a listener supporting a system that already knows how to regulate itself.

Listening touch

The pressure applied during treatment is roughly the weight of a small coin. There is no pressing, cracking, or manipulation. My role as craniosacral therapist is to listen carefully and tune into your body, which communicates through subtle movement and resistance.

Release of restrictions

Tensions and blocked movement patterns in connective tissue and the craniosacral system can limit the body's sense of ease and range of movement. Treatment identifies these and supports the body in releasing them, without forcing anything, allowing the body to make changes at its own pace.

Nervous system regulation

Chronic stress and unresolved experiences can leave the nervous system in a state of heightened alert. Craniosacral treatment is one approach that may help support the nervous system towards rest and restoration.

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What Craniosacral Therapy Can Help With

Many of my patients come to craniosacral therapy after trying other approaches without finding the lasting change they were looking for. That's not always because they received the wrong treatment. Often, it reflects how differently craniosacral therapy works: through gentle, listening touch and attention to the whole nervous system, rather than a focus on one symptom alone.

Headache and migraine

Tension in the craniosacral system, neck, and jaw is commonly associated with headache and migraine. Craniosacral therapy works gently with this tension and with nervous system regulation more broadly. Many patients choose to try a short course of sessions to see whether they notice a difference.

Jaw tension and teeth grinding

The jaw joint is anatomically and neurologically closely connected to the craniosacral system. Tension here can radiate into the head, neck, and ears. Craniosacral therapy works gently with this connected system, not only the local area of discomfort.

Stress, burnout and sleep problems

Many of us live with a nervous system that has forgotten how to rest properly. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle approach to supporting the autonomic nervous system in shifting out of chronic high alert. Some patients notice improved sleep fairly early on, though this varies from person to person.

Neck and back

Craniosacral therapy works with the deeper fascial and tension patterns that can accompany neck and back discomfort. It is gentle enough for acute presentations and can be continued over time for longer-standing patterns, particularly where stress and nervous system strain seem to play a role.

Stress and anxiety

Trauma and chronic anxiety are often reflected in patterns of tension held in the nervous system and body, which can show up in many different ways. Craniosacral therapy offers a gentle, quiet approach to this, without requiring you to talk through or relive difficult experiences.

Dizziness and digestive issues

Dizziness and digestive discomfort can sometimes relate to tension in the neck, jaw, and craniosacral system, or to broader nervous system strain. Craniosacral therapy takes a whole-body approach, working with these underlying patterns alongside the symptoms themselves.

What Happens in Your First Session

The first appointment is an initial consultation lasting 60 minutes.

1. Medical and life history

We begin with a thorough conversation covering your current symptoms as well as relevant background: previous injuries, operations, illnesses, and trauma history. Understanding this broader context helps me get a fuller picture of what's happening in the present.

2. Settling the nervous system

You lie fully clothed on the treatment table. The first thing I almost always work with is settling the nervous system. Most of us arrive with our nervous system in some degree of heightened alert, and deeper work tends to go better once it settles.

3. Listening and treatment

Through very light touch I begin to listen to the craniosacral system and the movement patterns in your body. I notice tensions, restrictions, and asymmetries in the tissue, and work to support the body in releasing them. It's not unusual to fall asleep at this stage.

4. Findings and treatment plan

After treatment we sit down and talk. I share what I noticed, what may underlie it, and what we can work with going forward. Together we build a treatment plan adapted to you.

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What to Expect After Treatment

Craniosacral therapy can set processes in motion that continue after you leave my clinic. It's helpful to know this, especially after your first few sessions.

Most people feel a sense of calm, lightness, and release right after treatment. Some feel deeply relaxed and a little floaty. Others feel surprisingly alert. Both are common responses, and the body tends to find its own way to integrate what happened during the session.

During the first 24 hours, some people notice mild tiredness, a slight headache, increased urination, or the brief reappearance of an old symptom. These are generally understood as signs that the body is processing the session, rather than something to be concerned about. They usually pass on their own within 24 to 48 hours. If anything feels concerning or doesn't settle, please speak with your doctor.

Good Habits after Craniosacral Treatment

Drink plenty of water

Rest and avoid intense exercise on the same day

Notice what you feel in your body over the following days

Get in touch if you experience persistent discomfort

The next session is usually planned 1 to 2 weeks later

Ready to book your first session?

Get in touch to book an appointment or ask a question. I see patients at two clinics in Oslo and Eidsvoll.

Questions I am often asked about craniosacral therapy

1. Who is craniosacral therapy suitable for?

One of the strengths of craniosacral therapy is its breadth.It's suitable for people of all ages and stages of life, and its gentleness makes it a particularly good option for those who often have fewer choices with other approaches, including newborns, pregnant women, older adults, and people with complex pain or a history of trauma. That said, it's just as welcoming to anyone looking for a gentle, whole-body approach to their wellbeing.

2. What is the difference between craniosacral therapy and osteopathy??

Craniosacral therapy grew directly out of osteopathy and shares its foundational view of the body as a self-regulating system. Where osteopathy works with the whole musculoskeletal system through a broad range of techniques, craniosacral therapy focuses specifically on the craniosacral system and nervous system regulation. I practised osteopathy for over 35 years, and my craniosacral therapy is grounded in that experience.

3. What is the difference between craniosacral therapy and chiropractic?

Chiropractic works primarily with the spine through specific manipulations. Craniosacral therapy uses extremely light touch and works from a different principle: listening to what the body is holding and supporting its own regulating processes. The two approaches differ in technique, in what they focus on, and in their underlying philosophy.

4. Are there side effects, and who should not receive treatment?

Serious adverse reactions are very rare. Mild, short-lived responses such as tiredness, a slight headache, or increased urination in the first 24 hours are common and generally understood as signs that the body is processing the session. Craniosacral therapy is not a substitute for medical care. If you have a serious, acute, or recent neurological condition or injury, please speak with your doctor before booking, and always let me know about any relevant health conditions when you get in touch.