Craniosacral Therapy
Every drop knows the tide. William G. Sutherland, MD, founder of craniosacral therapyCraniosacral therapy is a part of integrated care appointments offered by Dr. Liz.
To learn more about her integrated care visits, please check out the What To Expect page.
What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral therapy was developed by osteopath, William D. Sutherland, in the early 1900’s as a way to feel restrictions in the movement of cranial (skull) bones and fascia (connective tissue throughout the body).
By releasing these restrictions, the practitioner is able to assist the body in regaining balanced function of the nervous, muscular, lymphatic, hormonal, and gastrointestinal systems.
Craniosacral therapy can be helpful in furthering physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
What does Craniosacral Therapy feel like?
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, non-invasive, hands-on therapy that follows the subtle movement of the fascia or connective tissue.
The patient is fully clothed during treatment and the practitioner uses light pressure (the weight of a nickel) with his or her hands over the restricted areas in order to gently release fixations.
Most people feel very relaxed and sometimes fall asleep during treatment. Tingling, heat, feelings of movement inside the body, or feeling as if floating on water are commonly experienced as restrictions are released.
Very profound healing can occur during sessions, as the relaxed state the therapy induces allows people to tap into their subconscious and resolve long standing issues, belief patterns, and blocks to healing that have prevented total health.
What are restrictions and how do they happen?
Trauma, accidents, and injuries are all common causes of restrictions, as they damage several kinds of tissue, including bone, muscle, nerve, and fascia.
When scar tissue forms, it tends to be shorter and less flexible than the original tissue, which alters the balance of the fascial network.
Fevers, chemicals, and hormones can affect fascia as well, causing muscles to become glued together and decreasing their ability to function properly.
Mental and emotional stress can also cause alterations in the fascia. Many people say they hold their daily stress in their shoulders, and this tension pattern affects the mobility of the fascia over the muscles.
In children, the birthing process can result in restrictions of the fascia due to the enormous pressures involved.
What can Craniosacral Therapy help?
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle and effective therapy, and therefore appropriate for almost any health issue.
It is especially appropriate for patients who prefer not to receive chiropractic adjustments or who have contraindications to adjustments, such as osteoporosis.
Some common conditions treated are:
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- Fatigue
- Anxiety, Depression, Hyperactivity and other mood challenges
- Gastrointestinal Problems (ulcers, Irritable Bowel Disease, Crohnís, diarrhea, constipation, and acid reflux)
- Fibromyalgia
- Musculoskeletal complaints and injuries, Scoliosis, Sciatica, Disk Herniation
- Chronic Pain
- Arthritis, Gout, and other rheumatisms
- Allergies
- Immune System Disorders
- Autoimmune Disease
- Migraines and Headaches
- Central Nervous System Disorders
- Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
- Post Surgical Recovery
- PMS, Endometriosis, Menopause, or other hormonal imbalances
- Addictions (smoking cessation)
Dr. Liz Carter is amazing. She has become my go-to for health and wellness. I began seeing her for stress issues that had started to show up in my body as pain.
After the first treatment, I realized how much tension I had been holding. Instantly I felt relief. I continued to see her as I needed.
What’s also so great about Dr. Liz is her combined skills as a naturopath, accupunturist, cranio sacral gets you a comprehensive treatement in 1 session. She helped with with other ailments with a very simple and straight forward approach that works! A few month ago I moved to a remote location overseas to work. She set me up with everything I needed. And you bet, I am definitely scheduling a visit when I get back. Highly recommend Dr. Carter!
“Every patient carries her or his own doctor inside.”
~Albert Schweitzer