Craniosacral therapy

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle manual method for adults, children and newborns. It was developed by the American physician and osteopath Dr John Upledger from the 1970s onwards. I trained at the Upledger Institute.

How a session works

You stay dressed and lie on your back. I first palpate the whole body, in particular the craniosacral rhythm, and see what is needed.

Depending on what I find, I work on the structure of the craniosacral system – for example the dura mater or techniques on the skull – or along the approach described by Upledger, with work on the energetic system and somatoemotional release. A session usually lasts one hour.

What the craniosacral rhythm is

The craniosacral system protects the brain and the spinal cord. It has a rhythm of its own: cerebrospinal fluid is produced, the meninges fill and empty again.

This rhythm can be felt over the whole body, not only at the head. For me it is above all an indicator: it shows me where something is not moving freely in the tissue.

When this method makes sense

I choose it above all when emotional themes are in the foreground, when there is a great deal of restlessness and underlying tension and the first thing needed is to settle, or when my other methods do not get anywhere.

For structural work on joints and muscles, chiropractic and physiotherapy are often more direct. The examination decides.

Why people come

Adults: migraine and headaches, chronic neck and back pain, stress- and tension-related complaints, the after-effects of a fall or an accident, orthopaedic back problems, chronic tiredness or exhaustion, functional disturbances of the autonomic nervous system.

Babies and children: crying spells, positional asymmetries and head deformities, KISS syndrome, sleeping and feeding difficulties, digestive problems. All of this is described in detail on the paediatric osteopathy page.

When I do not use this therapy

The Upledger Institute names above all those situations in which small changes of pressure inside the skull can do harm: recent cerebral haemorrhage, intracranial aneurysm, recent skull fracture, herniation of the brain stem. I do not treat in these cases.

Nor after a recent stroke, with an acute infection of the central nervous system, with unexplained fever or in an acute psychological crisis. With tumour disease, a cerebrospinal fluid shunt, severe osteoporosis or a high-risk pregnancy I only work after medical clarification.

Appointments and fees

Between 80 and 120 euros, depending on the length of the session and the work required. Telephone: +49 160 50 55 374. Further answers on the frequently asked questions page.

The complaints named here are examples of application. They are in no way a promise of cure, and treatment is not indicated in every case.