Frequenty Asked Questions
I had a serious concussion five years ago. I still occasionally get brief piercing head pain and sometimes my memory seems poor. The MRI is normal. Could Craniosacral therapy help?
Yes. I emphatically encourage anyone who has had a concussion, even without loss of consciousness, to have at least one session of Craniosacral therapy. At the time of injury there are compressive forces introduced into the head. If the forces can’t be discharged, the body will do it’s best to accommodate them setting up a lesion pattern. These patterns can remain for a lifetime. It is best to have a session as soon after the injury as possible, but even after many years these patterns can be detected and released.
What is Somatic Emotional Release?
The term Somatic Emotional Release refers to the ability of the body to store unexpressed emotion, just as we may store physical trauma. In body work sessions the areas where the emotions are stored may be accessed and released. This could be stored grief, anger, fear and so on. In my work I approach the emotions very gently, supporting what may be surfacing in a resourced way that is not overwhelming or re-traumatizing.
Can it help babies? My baby was born with torticollis (stiff neck).
Yes, newborns can greatly benefit from Craniosacral therapy, especially if the birth has been long and traumatic.
Torticollis can be treated easily in newborns and babies, often with one or two sessions. Babies usually love the touch and are very peaceful during sessions.
For more on Craniosacral therapy for children in the Ottawa area click here.
Is this like a massage?
The sessions usually last about an hour and are done on a massage table. Unlike a massage, clothes are worn. The effects of deep relaxation are often compared to a massage.
Is Craniosacral therapy covered by my insurance plan?
As a registered physiotherapist I will provide a receipt for physiotherapy which is covered under most extended health care plans. Craniosacral therapy is also covered by motor vehicle accident insurance claims.
How many sessions will I need?
That depends on each person. If there has been recent trauma, for instance a car accident, I might recommend a session once weekly for a few weeks. For many people, once every 2-4 weeks is optimum. If the condition is acute, it may resolve in a few sessions and not return. Some people find this therapy an effective way of managing stress and come once a month. Others might come from time to time for rebalancing and renewal.
An interesting aspect of this work is that after even the first session you should feel a difference; an inner shift or at least very deep relaxation.
Can I do other therapies while having Craniosacral therapy?
Yes, I consider Craniosacral to be very complementary to other therapies. I believe all of us have the ability to discern what works for us and I encourage everyone to develop that ability. It might be a combination of chiropractics, deep tissue work, massage, exercise therapy, psychotherapy, naturopathy, or allopathic medicine to name a few. For many Craniosacral works well on its own. We also usually know when we are finished with a particular therapy.