This diagram is the easiest way I know to describe how craniosacral therapy effects the body. The picture is of our nervous system. You can see yellow lines coming out from the spine and leading to every single gland and organ in the body. The yellow lines represent the part of the nervous system that is active when we are active. Whether we are in full-on "flight-or-fight" mode or just having a conversation with a friend, whatever the level of activity, this part of the nervous system puts every gland and organ in the body in a particular state.

Then you can see blue/green lines that come from the base of the skull and the tailbone. They also lead to every single gland and every single organ in the body. These nerves only fire when we are deeply relaxed. They put every gland and organ into a completely different state from when we are active, and it's only when we are in this relaxed state that our body can repair damage, heal, and  fully digest nutrients. Rather than "fight-or-flight", we are in "rest and repair".

I think it's so interesting we have this sort of a switch between states of being in our bodies and we're not even aware of it. But understanding this underscores how truly important it is to have opportunities to get deeply relaxed. Even when we are sleeping, our nervous system is in an active state most of the time. Cranialsacral therapy (CST) provides an opportunity for the body to rest, repair, and heal.

There is a lot more to know about how CST works, but here's just a brief overview: CST directly influences the nervous system as well as the endocrine glands and organs. Effects I've seen clients experience include stabilized mood, improved balance, decreased neuropathy, significant reduction in migraine frequency and intensity, and improved resilience in the face of stress. I've seen CST help people sleep better, ease constipation, and alleviate pain - sometimes completely and permanently. CST also directly influences the fascia, healing long-held physical habits and injuries. Because CST works at a very deep level of our physiology, it has the potential to positively influence every level of our being.