Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST) Sessions

This depends on what your goals are, what symptoms you suffer from, and how readily your system responds to this therapy. As a general rule, three to ten sessions will have a significant impact on most people’s health, and in some cases only one session can make a dramatic difference. Often, clients receive regular sessions for longer periods of time, followed by an occasional tune-up to maintain health.

It is common for people to doze off or appear to sleep during portions of a Biodynamic Craniosacral session. There are times when the client slips into a deep, meditative type state of consciousness. In this deep place, the mind relaxes and allows for the possibility of illness or injury to reorganize and remember its innate health. If the system is overworking because it is tired or exhausted, Biodynamic Craniosacral allows the system to relax and rest usually in a deep healing stillness.

Sometimes when people fall asleep in session it can be due to dissociation.  Dissociation is a very intelligent tactic that occurs when an event is too overwhelming or traumatic. Sometime in session, particularly with PTSD clients this will come up. That is ok. We can work with that!

Please wear loose comfortable clothing, and as little jewelry as possible to allow for more freedom of movement and greater comfort during the session. It is a good idea to use the restroom just prior to the appointment so you can relax fully once in session. Please avoid the use of caffeine, drugs or alcohol 24 hours prior to and during your session. It is also a good idea to give yourself a space of time after to process your session. Craniosacral is non-invasive but the work can be on a very deep level, your body can be “reorganizing” for up to 72 hours after a session!

Cathy will do her best to accommodate Mommy and infant during a session. She has no qualms about treating while Mommy is nursing, in fact that is often very helpful, and can be beneficial for baby! Particularly if there are any bonding or attachment issues.  However, initially when Cathy works with infants it is important to have eye contact and establish rapport and trust with baby prior to putting her hands on. If trust is not established with babies’ therapy can be very re-traumatizing for them, particularly if they had a traumatic birth, or time in utero. Once that is established and baby has shown he/she trusts Cathy, then she will work around sleeping baby’s needs in the session. Cathy can work with your baby in her lap, in your lap, while nursing, while sleeping, or awake etc. Wherever you and your baby are in the rhythm of your day is fine!

At the beginning of every session Cathy will allow the space for conversation and for her client to share any health goals, history, questions, and for us to get acquainted. This is a time for you to share anything that may be going on in your life and your body. When the client is ready, she/he can lie down on a Massage Therapy table and get comfy. As Cathy is grounding and settling her own nervous system, she will do a nonverbal, non-contact check-in with you and your body. This allows her to get a sense of what is happening in your system and what your body may need in that moment. Cathy may ask you to check in with your body, to see what you are noticing, or what you are aware of. She will help bring your awareness back into your body. The combination of what she feels from your body and what she hears from you, will guide us in our work together ensuring that you feel supported as possible during the entire session.

Although Biodynamic Craniosacral can feel somewhat subtle, it works on a very deep level. After a session the body can continue to unwind and reorganize for up to 72 hours. It is a good idea to allow time to rest after a session, and not have any strenuous activities planned.

It is a good idea to not schedule any strenuous activity for at least the next 24 hours after your session, and sometimes for 48 hours. Your body will be processing and integrating a lot of new information, as well as building new pathways of movement. If you exert your body too soon, there is a good chance that you will habitually engage the old ways of doing things, thereby overriding the new emerging pathways. By giving yourself some time and space after the session your body will have a chance to integrate and strengthen, forming more productive and easeful ways of being and doing.

You may also want to consider taking a walk outside. Walking is great for integrating new information as well as oxygenating your blood. Be gentle with yourself. Sometimes emotions that have been stored in the tissues of your body find their way out during or after the session. This is energy in motion, and for some, part of the healing process. As much as you can, allow this to happen. It will pass leaving you with a lighter, freer feeling.
Some people occasionally experience a worsening of their symptoms after a Craniosacral session. This too can be part of the healing process and is usually soon followed by marked improvement in overall well-being. Even still, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this process.