Anyone Else Try Craniosacral Therapy?

[SeaQuel]

I went to see a massage therapist trained in craniosacral therapy for trauma. She said that she definitely noticed some "shifts," or whatever she called them, and I think I might have also, but I'm really not sure. Has anyone else tried this kind of therapy before, and has it worked?

I'm willing to try it out a few more times, but since it's so expensive, I need to make sure it's actually a good use of my money.

 

[anonymous]

I've used it in the past for physical ailments as it was a part of my physical therapy (and covered by insurance). As a psychiatric treatment? I seriously doubt I could find a craniosacral therapist who accepts my insurance!

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

I, too, can see that it could benefit pain, but I don't see how it could permanently help psychiatric issues. My stress, like many other people's, goes to the neck and shoulders. I get massages for that, but my psychotherapist is who I go to for my emotional, and mental issues.
Good luck!

 

[The Albatross]

I used it and my practitioner taught me how to put myself back in when I was disassociated. Mine was private pay and not covered by insurance.

 

[GWhizz]

I actually had a session for my son when he wouldn't sleep. The woman we met was full of bull if you ask me. And did more harm than good. Little did she know I have medical experience and what she was saying was unsound.

Tbh I think it's complete bogus after attending this particular practitioner and seeing no justification for her 'shifts' she would mention. I mean, you could attribute her interpretations to almost anything.

After that experience, I certainly wouldn't be willing to use it on my mental health, even if it were free.

Guess I'm a skeptic!

 

[The Albatross]

Not necessarily a skeptic... but maybe only as skilled as the practitioner?

 

[The Albatross]

I have to say... before cranial-sacral, my eyes didn't track. I could feel the "thunk" like dropping into my body... I got down to water level. I was very comfortable and balanced. It made me feel safe in my body again. I am very fortunate to have met her (Sherrie). It was a pivotal moment for me. Sort of like when I was on Effexor for a year... I "remembered" what it was like to feel "there".

But the biggest by far take away was the eyes tracking again and being able to put myself back in when I was disassociated. Check out (thoroughly) the practitioner... if she is not top in her field (in your area) or doesn't do her continuing education... don't bother?

 

[Hope4Now]

You have to find one with the right training (osteopath) ideally. Although the one I've gone to is good but doesn't have that credential. CST can unlock stuff so it is really important to be able to communicate with the therapist about what you're feeling. Of all the alternative therapies I have tried, I find it the most helpful. I wish, wish, wish it were covered by insurance because I can't afford to go as much as I need to.

It is good for physical pain issues, but for me, I found it to be the thing that most relaxes me (and that is really, really hard to do!). The gentle touch (as opposed to massage) is amazing.

It does not work well if you are too dissociated. If you are, the CS therapist will be able to tell you because s/he will not be able to work with the rhythms etc. so can shift to just plain massage or myofascial work.

 

[The Albatross]

My practitioner worked with me just fine... but I was very verbal and I would communicate during the experience/sessions. I see colors when I am balanced. When I'm out or blocked I don't.

 

[SeaQuel]

Thanks for all of the replies.

if she is not top in her field (in your area) or doesn't do her continuing education

The practitioner I'm seeing is top in her field and stays up on her training/credentials. That's why I'm traveling over an hour to get there (one way). My trauma therapist recommended her to me, and in fact, has gone to her in the past for other treatments that she does (non-trauma related). I also got a good "healing" vibe from the practitioner and her place of business. I don't normally trust my own intuition these days (working on that), but I trust my therapist's and anyone she recommends.

The drive is actually really intense for me and takes a lot out of me, but I think I'm going to go back a few more times to really give this a chance.

I wish, wish, wish it were covered by insurance because I can't afford to go as much as I need to.

Me too! It's so expensive. I'm trying not think about the absurd amount of money I have put into my healing. On the other hand, I've cut out most other activities and my priority right now is to heal. There is no price tag on that except for the very real fact that I have limited means. I hate the fact that insurances companies don't cover things like this - only pills (that don't treat the PTSD but only the symptoms) or therapy. Bonus if you can find a therapist who has studied under Peter Levine and knows somatic experiencing or some other type of body work. Craniosacral therapy? Forget it.

The more I think about it, the more angry I get. There is not enough being done to study PTSD and effective treatments, and thus, it's going to be a long time coming before craniosacral therapy is ever going to be blessed as an "official" treatment for PTSD and before insurance will cover it.

I found it to be the thing that most relaxes me (and that is really, really hard to do!). The gentle touch (as opposed to massage) is amazing.

Yea, I relate to this. When she was doing the "balancing" at the end, I felt very warm, in a good way.

I see colors when I am balanced. When I'm out or blocked I don't.

I wanted this to happen to me. I think my problem is that I'm always "out" or "blocked." But I guess not to such a great extent or she wouldn't have been able to shift me the way that she says she did. I kept asking her whether it was normal to have memories come up. She said that sometimes that happens, but she mentioned colors and something else (forget what it was) as being more common. And, really, the memories that were coming up were the ones that always come up when my mind wanders.

Did yours tell you to practice mindfulness during the treatment? Or what do you do to try to make it the most effective for you?

I actually feel quite good right now, but I suppose that could be for any number of reasons that have nothing to do with CST. Jury is still out.

 

[The Albatross]

Nope that was pre mindfulness for me... but I remember in the earlier sessions being very verbal about how I was being balanced when where I felt "crooked". Feedback helps. I did about 15 sessions or so I think. But I can relate to what you share about cutting out a lot of extra activities and spending on healing... I was able to do that for a pivotal time and it has helped immensely. Wouldn't mind going in for a "tune up" with the cranial-sacrial gal, the rolfer, the acupressure gal and the tuning fork chick (kinesiology) but it is just not in the cards. So I got to go with what I've got.

Edited to add... for me the weirdest thing was being half way in and half way out. I could feel certain body parts touching the table, but not others. That, to this day is a big tell for me of where "I" am.

 

[The Albatross]

I also remember how intent she was on my "presence" when I'd answer questioning... she'd stop me mid sentence and ask me, "where are you right now?" I'd be so puzzled and wouldn't know... but then I realized that "I" was out of body and was about two inches in front of the bridge of my nose. I expect it's different for many... but I was so struck. I had never had anyone ask me where I was... to have to stop and try to figure it out in itself was helpful.