Craniosacral Therapy (CST)

Find Deep Relaxation, Pain Relief, and Enhanced Well-Being with CST in Ottawa or virtual sessions

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle, calming therapy that reduces restrictions and tensions throughout the body. It focuses on enhancing the structure and function of the craniosacral system the membranes and fluid that surround and protect your brain and spinal cord. By using light touch, CST practitioners like Anna can detect and release restrictions in this system, promoting a state of deep relaxation and facilitating your body’s natural healing processes.

Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Pain Relief

CST can be effective in reducing chronic pain, headaches, migraines, and TMJ dysfunction.

Stress Reduction

The gentle nature of CST promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, and improves sleep.

Enhanced Well-being

CST supports your body's ability to heal itself, boosting your immune system and promoting overall wellness.

Emotional Balance

CST can help to release emotional trauma stored in the body, leading to greater emotional stability.

Who Can Benefit from Craniosacral Therapy?

CST is suitable for people of all ages, from infants to seniors. It can be particularly helpful for those experiencing:

How Does a Craniosacral Therapy Session Work?

During a CST session, you will lie fully clothed on a massage table. Anna will use a gentle touch to assess the rhythm and flow of your craniosacral system. She will then use light pressure and subtle movements to release any restrictions and promote balance.

Remote Craniosacral Therapy

Anna also offers remote craniosacral therapy sessions, which can be conducted over the phone or video chat. These sessions are just as effective as in-person sessions and provide a convenient option for those who are unable to travel or prefer to receive therapy in the comfort of their own home.

"Our mission is to help you progress toward self-awareness and optimal health. We offer compassionate, intuitive care, treating the body, mind, and spirit as a unified whole."

Anna Crandlemire, Manual Therapist

Dress in comfortable, loose clothing (no jeans or bulky material for CST sessions). Bring a water bottle and drink water before and after your session.

Your session takes place in a quiet, private setting. Clients remain fully clothed. The session is performed with the client reclining on a massage table or in a reclining chair. For CST and Lymph Drainage, the practitioner stands or sits at various times during the session at the client’s head, middle torso or feet.

Experiences differ for each individual, and from session to session. You may deeply relax and even fall asleep at times. Other times you may want to talk, and the practitioner may lead you through a therapeutic dialogue process. You may recall hidden memories, relive events, and express emotions. Some clients may not be aware of many sensations in their body as the tissues relax and re-balance, while others will notice more.

You may become very relaxed and drift off to sleep during your session. The practitioner will ask for you to give feedback of which reflexes on your feet are tender or sensitive as she works on your feet. Some clients will have many tender reflexes, while others may only have one or two. You also may feel chilly and need a blanket as your body relaxes.

Somatic Groundwork requires a floor area large enough for you to lay down in an “X’ position. You will be guided through grounding, breathing and yielding into the floor, and then through movement patterns. You will spend part of the time on the floor, and also in mid-level and standing positions.

Response to manual therapy varies from individual to individual and condition to condition.  The number of sessions needed varies widely – from just one up to three or more per week over the course of several weeks.  I recommend starting with 3 to 5 CST or Reflexology sessions, spaced either a few days apart for acute conditions to a week apart.  Once clients start feeling better, they often continue with monthly sessions as part of their health care program.

Some insurance providers cover Reflexology treatments. Craniosacral Therapy, Lymph Drainage Therapy and Posture & Movement Therapy are not covered. Receipts will be issued for all sessions, and can be claimed as medical expenses on your tax return.

Testimonials

“My experience of Anna’s work was one of deep calm, stillness, letting go. As an osteopath, I find her work to be very pertinent for clients who, above all, have an over activated sympathetic nervous system, ie. when the body is hyper alert and reactive, constantly jumping into fight or flight response. A gentle and accessible way to support a balancing of the nervous system.”
“Anna has helped my father, with positive results, during the past 6 months. She is calm, caring, thoughtful and professional. The family appreciates her holistic and multifaceted approach, as well as her regular updates and assessments. She always has my father’s best interests at heart.”
“Four years ago, I was diagnosed with bronchitis. Two winters I suffered with it, over and over. The doctors told me it would just get worse. I read about craniosacral therapy and I gave it a try with Anna in October of last year. Last winter I had no bronchitis symptoms! Highly recommend this therapy!”
“I suffered a concussion. I had all the classic symptoms; needless to say, so much pain and pressure in the head. It was very debilitating. What really helped relieve the pressure was craniosacral therapy. It made me feel much better. For weeks I had not been able to function at all. After my first treatment with Anna, the pressure released and I was able to tolerate light and sound for longer than an hour. If it wasn’t for the craniosacral treatments I would still need to be in the dark right now. The treatments with Ann helped speed up the healing. I highly recommend craniosacral therapy to heal concussion symptoms.”
“Anna Crandlemire has truly healing hands, a professional manner, is intuitive, and best of all, is caring. She leaves me focused, refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to face the work in a reinvigorated frame of mind and body. After reflexology treatments I have experienced improved digestion, better balance, my sense of well being improves and my ability to focus is enhanced. Monthly craniosacral visits keep me aligned, on track and functioning optimally at both work and with family. Flexible schedule and two work sites give me extra choices for visits. Anna is a major factor in my wellness plan.”
“If I had understood the benefits that Craniosacral Therapy (CST) could bring me, I would have started a long time ago. Anna is definitely a gifted practitioner. To say that CST has brought me a feeling of Zen seems cliché but it’s accurate. Since starting therapy with Anna just a few months ago, my perception of the world around me is calmer, my problem-solving ability more focused and my perception of myself, more caring and relaxed. In opening up to CST, I have gained a connection to self-care, healing and growth that I had not experienced before and one that I look forward to continuing for many years to come. Thank you Anna!”
“Every one of my craniosacral therapy visits with Anna has brought me relaxation and ease. Her warm touch and the stress-free atmosphere of her space leaves me feeling renewed every time.”
“Anna has a very calming manner, has wonderful healing, warm hands & it was a great first experience.”
"I felt much better after my session with Anna. I will be going back and I would definitely refer a friend."
"Anna is a skilled Cranio Sacral Therapist with much knowledge. She offers quality sessions tailored to the client's needs. She is very welcoming and has a positive and warm energy! I definitely enjoyed my session and will be coming for more!"
"It was my first time, so I didn't know what to expect, and got a wonderful surprise! Anna's miraculous hands exude warm, relaxing, releasing, healing energy into every part of your body. She is calm, intuitive and very kind."
"My experience was amazing."
"Gentle, professional, helpful - Anna's treatments are great. Highly recommended!"

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