What is craniosacral therapy and why is it good for me?

How the Benefits of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Can Support Deep Healing

You may have heard of craniosacral therapy or even biodynamic craniosacral therapy — but what are they, and how can they support your wellbeing?

Let’s explore what makes this therapy so unique, how it works with your nervous system, and why many people find it incredibly helpful for reducing stress, easing pain, and supporting emotional release.

What Is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy?

At the heart of all craniosacral therapies is a deep trust in the body’s innate intelligence — the idea that your body already knows how to heal when given the right support.

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on healing modality developed from osteopathic medicine. It works with the nervous system to help your body shift from a state of stress (“fight or flight”) into a state of deep relaxation (“rest and digest”), where healing naturally occurs.

There are two main forms of craniosacral therapy:

• Structural or Functional Craniosacral Therapy focuses on realigning the body using light, intentional touch to correct physical imbalances.

• Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy is even more subtle. It centres on the practitioner entering a deep parasympathetic state and holding a still, neutral presence. This allows your system to gently entrain with theirs, activating your own body’s self-healing response.

Think of it like how two pendulum clocks eventually sync their timing, or how menstrual cycles can align between women living or working closely together. It’s a powerful example of resonance in action.

How the Nervous System Is Involved

Your nervous system is divided into two major parts:

• Central Nervous System (CNS): Like the control centre or CPU of your body.

• Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): Regulates automatic functions like breathing, heartbeat, and digestion.

The ANS is further divided into:

• Sympathetic Nervous System: Manages stress response, putting you into “fight or flight.”

• Parasympathetic Nervous System: Supports recovery, healing, and digestion — the “rest and digest” mode.

Craniosacral therapy helps shift your body from the sympathetic state (stress) into the parasympathetic state (relaxation and healing).

Benefits of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

The benefits of biodynamic craniosacral therapy are wide-ranging and gentle enough for almost anyone, including children. It may support:

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Relief from chronic pain

• Recovery from trauma (emotional or physical)

• Improved sleep and digestion

• Emotional regulation and clarity

• Enhanced body awareness

• Support for learning difficulties in children

Since it works by activating the body’s natural healing processes, this modality is non-invasive and can be safely used alongside other therapies or medical treatments.

What to Expect in a Session

In a session, you’ll usually lie fully clothed on a massage table while the practitioner places their hands lightly on different parts of your body — often the head, sacrum, or spine. You may feel deeply relaxed, fall asleep, or notice subtle sensations like twitching, warmth, or energy moving.

Many of my massage clients experience the benefits of biodynamic craniosacral therapy in the final few minutes of their sessions. This helps their body integrate the physical work more deeply. Some clients report feeling profoundly calm or even experiencing emotional release.

If you’re curious about trying a full session, I’d be happy to discuss whether this gentle, intuitive therapy is right for you.