Upledger CranioSacral Therapy
What Is Upledger CranioSacral Therapy?
Your body is amazing. It has everything it needs to work effectively and efficiently. It even has systems in place to help fight stress, pain, and infection; however, it is easy for the body to become overloaded in our modern, fast-paced world and sometimes needs a helping hand to get back on track.
The most influential system in the body is the central nervous system. This acts as our main computer controlling and regulating all other systems. Overload here can impact the body in a large variety of ways.
The system most closely linked to the central nervous system is your Cranio-Sacral system, the soft tissues and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord from your head to your tailbone.
Cranio-Sacral Therapy is a gentle hands-on therapy that aims to release tension in the body’s Cranio-Sacral System, supporting its natural healing capacity.
When your central system can work properly the body gets back into a place of self-healing and repair as it can communicate with itself and self-regulate more effectively. This doesn’t mean that a session is only focused on the head, spine, and pelvis though.
All parts of the body are connected directly and indirectly by an internal web of tissue called connective tissue, this means tension or an injury in the foot can still impact the upper body, even the head and neck.
With this knowledge, Cranio-Sacral Therapy assesses and treats the whole body to ensure all tension and restrictions are released. With the central systems working as best they can, your general health and well-being can be improved.
What happens in a session?
After taking your medical history and discussing your reason for booking, you will be asked to lie fully clothed on a treatment couch. If lying on your back is not possible, we can adjust the treatment and even treat you seated if needed.
I’ll begin by assessing your Cranio-Sacral system (the movement of fluid around the central nervous system) and body as a whole, determining areas of restriction and dysfunction. I start by placing my hands on your head or your feet. You remain fully clothed throughout the treatment whilst I use a variety of gentle techniques to help your body release those areas and improve the functioning of your body’s central nervous system.
Every session is unique to the individual and often very relaxing and enlightening. Sometimes heat or pulsing can be felt where we are working, and movements can occur as the body unwinds and lets go of the problem.
Your body wants to get back into balance and health. It knows what it needs to do to get there, I just give it a helping hand. Upledger CranioSacral therapy is not so much a ‘do to’ as a ‘listen to and work with’ approach.
By listening with my hands and the other clues your body’s inner guidance shows me, the session unfolds at a pace that’s always safe and in the best order for you.
How will I feel afterwards?
Sensations felt during the session vary from individual to individual. Overall most find the experience very relaxing.
How you will feel after the session can vary too. Sometimes you may feel very relaxed or tired and want to go home and lie down for a while. Other times you may feel energised, more alive.
Sensations felt change from session to session and person to person. It depends on what’s happened during the session and if your system needs to pause a little longer to adjust and re-balance the changes made.
Is Upledger CranioSacral Therapy suitable for me?
Due to the gentle, non-invasive way Upledger Cranio-Sacral Therapy works, it is suitable for everyone and all ages.
I only work with those over 16 as working with babies and young children requires specific training in treating paediatrics which I have not attended. If you are looking for an Upledger therapist who works with children, I’d be happy to help you find the right therapist for you.
Alternatively, you can find a therapist on the Upledger Website – Upledger Institute UK
Upledger CranioSacral Therapy and Tissue Memory.
The Upledger approach goes beyond just considering the physical body. We consider you as a whole person, the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Sometimes physical issues, especially more chronic or confusing ones, have an emotional element attached to them. This may also be the case for more general symptoms such as lack of energy, low self-esteem etc.
Dr Upledger developed a method to work with memories and emotions ‘held’ in the tissues of the body – Somato Emotional Release ® (SER®)
By working with the tissues of the body (the Somata) and combining that with the “emotions” connected to that area, the body can have a more complete ‘release’ and fully heal.
How Does Somato Emotional Release® Happen?
During a session, your body may give me subtle signs that indicate an emotional component to physical restrictions, which I have been trained to recognize and address. Sometimes you may also get a sudden memory, thought or image come into your awareness. At that point, I will ask you about what you a feeling, sensing or aware of within your body. You may have an image, shape or memory come to mind. Together we work with whatever comes up and explore. I will always be there to help guide to process and ensure it’s helpful and supportive for your health and well-being.
Through SER® you gain a deeper connection with yourself and your body’s inner wisdom. By releasing the tissue memory and restoring balance to the tissues again, the physical restriction can finally release, and the body can begin its natural healing process to the affected area again.
For most, this can be a very enlightening process and provide great relief both physically and emotionally. The body-mind finally has the space to process the stress and let it go so it can move forward more freely.
How I Work
Over the years I have trained in different disciplines, always because I have been drawn to them and they complement each other. That’s why I often use a Blended Approach to my treatments.
If I feel that another modality would be of benefit, I will discuss that with you at that time. That may include Visceral work, ScarWork, PSYCH-K® or Bach Flower essences. The decision is always with you, but I feel it’s important you have that choice if I feel it will benefit you.
Similarly, I may recommend a different approach or therapist, whether that’s seeing Rachael (we know each other’s skills and treatments well and work closely together) or another therapist locally. Again, I will discuss this with you at that time.
My intention is always that you receive what’s in your best and highest interest and that you find the best path for you in your health and well-being journey.
Upledger CranioSacral Therapy Pricing
CranioSacral Therapy sessions are at our in-person clinic in Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset.
Initial Consultation: (90 minutes) – £105
Follow-Up Sessions (60 minutes) – £75
With Lorna Kennard-Wall
