Craniosacral Therapy
What is Craniosacral therapy
Craniosacral Therapy is a physical touch-based therapy where the therapist applies pressure to the body targeting the fluid around the central nervous system. There is limited research on this therapy method. But the therapy is based on the idea of body and mind being connected, which is evident as many mental health struggles have physical symptoms, for instance, anxiety can often be followed by having a hard time breathing or an increased heart rate. We at Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy understand the influence that the mind and body have on each other. The clinic promotes both physical and mental health to clients to hopefully achieve a more optimal quality of life and therefore has begun offering Craniosacral Therapy.
To start, with Craniosacral therapy, a relaxed environment is encouraged. Sometimes a client is recommended to wear comfortable clothing, the lights are set to not be too bright, soothing sounds are played, or the therapist will do some mindfulness exercises or breathing techniques with the client. The aim is for the client to feel relaxed, not only to allow for a safe space for certain emotions to reveal themselves in the body but also to go from the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic nervous system. Throughout the day there are uncontrollable factors which may have one’s body in a flight or fight response mood. The sympathetic nervous system is activated, and the body is working to protect itself from outside danger, whereas activation in the parasympathetic nervous system focuses on rest and basic bodily functions, the body can work towards healing itself now rather than protecting itself. The human body is powerful and intelligent and has many built-in properties to heal itself, Craniosacral therapy attempts to create an environment to allow for that healing. The body's natural healing abilities are a key principle in Naturopathy which is also a service offered at Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy.
After creating a relaxed space, the therapist will apply light pressure to the client’s body, particularly around the skull and spinal cord to recognize the tension around the central nervous system (CNS) which controls many functions including thoughts and emotions. The body can hold on to trauma, anxiety and everyday mental and physical stresses experienced by clients. The aim is to increase self-awareness to recognize those tensions and blocks in the body The pressure and movement applied by the therapist release the tension and block and allow the fluid around the Central nervous system to flow as it should, again then allowing the body to heal and function as it optimally should, and consequently possibly improving one’s physical and mental health!
At Vaughn Counselling and Psychotherapy, Candice (RPQ), in addition to talk therapy sessions, offers Craniosacral Therapy. Craniosacral therapy is not a be-all-end-all approach but rather extra support. Craniosacral therapy could possibly help relieve mental and physical tension, in addition to increasing relaxation and self-awareness.
If you are interested in Craniosacral Therapy, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy at 647 267 9853
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