What is a session like?
How a CST practitioner works?
Sessions will vary from practitioner but all of us we have some common parts in the session. Some practitioners would like to know what is the issue which is related with your visit. Some practitioners would like first to do their own evaluation of your body and then discuss with you about the issue or symptoms that you might have.
During the session, you will be fully clothed, sitting in a chair to start and then lying on a massage table in a supported and comfortable way. It is important that you feel comfortable and safe at all times so you might ask for any adjustments you need to the lighting, temperature, etc. Your therapist may ask you from time to time what you are experiencing, and will help you to stay present with whatever your experience is.
When the session begins your therapist will check with you to make sure that you are comfortable. Then there will be a period of dialogue before your therapist makes physical contact with you. Sometimes it takes some time and dialogue to get your comfort just right so you can relax. You will be guided through this process. Establishing comfort is an important first step that ensures that what unfolds in the session is about you and not occurring in reaction to a feeling of lack of safety with the therapist or comfort on the table.
When contact is made the therapist will check in again to make sure the touch is right for you. Session work involves a very light, gentle touch. Your therapist may begin at your feet, at your head (cranium) or on your sacrum (the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine). During your session, depending on your areas of concern, your therapist can go to any area of the body that needs to be worked with, using the contact that feels best for you. Receiving CranioSacral Therapy tends to be very relaxing and positively pleasurable (as is giving treatments!). Ignored or hidden problems are resolved as often as those for which help was initially sought.
Sessions can last usually last 45 mins to an hour depending on the therapist you are working with and your needs. During that time, the therapist will quietly, gently hold parts of your body, listening to the subtle rhythm and tracking changes in your system.It is important to note that while a single session can have noticeable effects, it often takes multiple sessions to achieve the results you are seeking. Appointments for babies and small children are usually shorter, typically 20 – 30 minutes.
How will I feel during the session?
During the session you may:
- Relax so deeply that you fall asleep
- Feel as if you are dreaming while awake
- Experience memories or insights while on the table
- Enjoy a pleasant sense of warmth, softening, widening or floating
At times, you may experience other kinds of sensations as energy that has been held in the body is released. If this occurs, just stay present with your breath and bodily sensations and allow this energy to discharge. The session quite often involves a process of letting go of patterns that inhibit your health and vitality. Once these patterns begin to shift, the therapist may notice changes in your fluids, tissues, bones and potency. You may experience a sense of integration in your body, mind and spirit.
What will I feel after the session?
At the end of the session, you may:
- Find yourself breathing more fully and deeply
- Stand straighter and taller
- Feel more comfortable in your body
- You may be surprised to feel a new sense of peace and ease as you leave the office to return, renewed, to your life
- Notice an improvement in your sleep patterns
No matter what your experience is, your therapist will take some time with you after you are off the table to check in about how you are doing. This is a great opportunity to find words for your experience and reflect on how differently you feel after your session. The effects can also be felt even after you leave your session.
Take time in the next 2-3 days just to notice how you are in the world.
- What is the quality of your sleep that night?
- How is your digestion?
- How is your overall experience of life?
- How does your body feel?
- How about the pain? Is it the same? Is it fading? Is it gone?
- How is your movement?
- Would you say that your quality of life has improved?
By paying attention to the lasting effects of this work you will be able to gauge what the on-going use of this work might offer you.
Many practitioners also integrate the techniques we use with what they do in their own core therapy if that is not CST – always ask your practitioner about their work – we are really happy to share and tell you about the approach!
