Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach developed from osteopathic medicine. Using touch no heavier than the weight of a nickel, a trained practitioner works with the craniosacral system, the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord, to release restriction, support nervous system regulation, and create conditions for your body to heal naturally.

CST was developed by osteopathic physician Dr. John Upledger following research conducted at Michigan State University in the 1970s. It builds on earlier work by osteopath William Sutherland and is now practiced by licensed healthcare professionals around the world. Nancy trained through the Upledger Institute, the leading organization for CST education and research.

Massage works primarily with muscles and soft tissue using pressure and movement. CST uses extremely light touch and works with the craniosacral system and fascia to support nervous system regulation. The two approaches complement each other well but feel quite different. Many people who find massage too stimulating or physically demanding find CST accessible and deeply restoring.

The research base for CST is growing. Studies show positive outcomes for conditions including chronic pain, migraines, anxiety, and infant colic. CST shares mechanisms with other manual therapies that have stronger research support, and it developed from osteopathic medicine, which is well established. Nancy combines this approach with the clinical reasoning of a licensed occupational therapist and over 30 years of healthcare experience.

Your nervous system is exquisitely sensitive to touch. Light, precise contact on specific areas gives the nervous system information it can use to release patterns of tension and restriction it has been holding, sometimes for years. The touch is not applying force to fix something. It is creating conditions for your body to do what it already knows how to do. CST is also effective with newborns, who have no expectations or understanding of treatment, which points to mechanisms beyond suggestion or placebo.

Yes. CST is gentle, non-invasive, and appropriate for most people including pregnant women, newborns, and those with complex health histories. Nancy will review your health history before your first session and discuss any considerations specific to your situation.