Craniosacral Therapy (CST) and Distant Craniosacral Integration (DCSI)
Gentle hands, deep healing.
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, non-invasive hands-on technique that works with the body’s deeper intelligence—what we call the craniosacral rhythm.
This rhythm flows like an underground river through the spine, skull, and sacrum, carrying the subtle pulse of life force. When this rhythm is disturbed—due to stress, trauma, or emotional shock—imbalance begins to manifest in the body-mind system. CST doesn’t force anything.
It simply listens, allowing the body to self-correct through stillness and safety.
History
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) has its roots in osteopathy, a holistic medical approach founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917) in the late 19th century. Dr. Still believed in the body’s inherent ability to heal itself, viewing health as a balance between the body, mind, and spirit. This philosophy laid the groundwork for Craniosacral Therapy.
CST was further developed by Dr. William Garner Sutherland (1873-1954), an osteopath who discovered that the bones of the skull, which were traditionally thought to be fixed, actually have subtle movements.
He called this the "primary respiratory mechanism," reflecting the body's deeper rhythms, which are key to health. Later, Dr. John Upledger (1932-2012) expanded on Sutherland’s work, formalizing CST into the practice we know today.
He found that by using a light, gentle touch, practitioners could tap into the body’s craniosacral system—the membranes and fluid that protect the brain and spinal cord—to support the body’s natural healing processes.
How Does It Work?
CST, when done in person, the practitioner places their hands lightly on the body, often around the head, spine, or sacrum. But don’t be fooled by the subtlety—it’s not just a soft touch. The therapist is attuned to the tide of cerebrospinal fluid, the micro-movements of fascia and bone, and the emotional residue held in tissues. CST follows what we call the Inherent Treatment Plan—meaning, the body leads.
The therapist is not the doer; they follow the body’s priorities with humility. Often, people feel sensations like unwinding, floating, emotional release, or deep sleep-like stillness.
Now here’s where it gets profound.
This therapeutic rhythm—the craniosacral pulse—isn’t just a physical flow. It’s part of your energetic blueprint, your biofield. And your biofield is not limited by geography. Which is why this same healing dialogue can happen even without touch. This is where Distant Craniosacral Integration (DCSI) comes in.
In a DCSI session, which is done remotely (online), the therapist enters into a deep meditative state of stillness and attunement. Through the midline or the heart field, the practitioner connects to your system across space, tuning into the same craniosacral tide. The body presents its Inherent Treatment Plan even at a distance. The release is just as real. Sometimes even more direct—because the mind doesn’t get in the way.
This is for You, When…
When your body feels tired, but your mind won’t stop running.
When you cry easily… or can’t cry at all.
When you’re always “fine” on the outside but feel tangled inside.
When sleep doesn’t heal and silence feels loud.
When you flinch at touch, or long for it but don’t trust it.
When you carry stories (pain) in your spine no one else can see.
When you’ve done all the talking, but your body still holds the hurt.
When your child is sensitive, restless, or “too much” for the world.
When you’re always the one holding space, but have no space held for you.
When motherhood is new or you're preparing to be one.
When you want to soften but you don’t know how.
When you’re not sick, but you’re not well either.
When you’re craving stillness… but can't find the way in.
Not for You, If…
You’ve recently undergone surgery (including C section) and the body is still in acute repair.
You’re currently on strong painkillers.
You have an active infection, high fever, or uncontrolled inflammation.
You’ve had a fresh injury and the tissues need time before they can respond to subtle work.
You’re medically unstable and need immediate emergency care not subtle bodywork.
Please Note
Craniosacral Therapy and Distant Craniosacral Integration are not substitutes for emergency medical care, surgical intervention, or psychiatric treatment. These therapies do not aim to diagnose or treat disease. They support the body’s natural ability to self-regulate once it is safe and ready to do so.
They can be safely integrated with other healing modalities and are especially helpful in chronic, stress-related, or trauma-linked conditions where conventional methods have reached their limit.
Health is never lost. It is only overshadowed.
– Dr. Rollin Becker
(Sutherland’s direct student and a master in biodynamic craniosacral)
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) and Distant Craniosacral Integration (DCSI)
Gentle hands, deep healing.
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, non-invasive hands-on technique that works with the body’s deeper intelligence—what we call the craniosacral rhythm.
This rhythm flows like an underground river through the spine, skull, and sacrum, carrying the subtle pulse of life force. When this rhythm is disturbed—due to stress, trauma, or emotional shock—imbalance begins to manifest in the body-mind system. CST doesn’t force anything.
It simply listens, allowing the body to self-correct through stillness and safety.
History
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) has its roots in osteopathy, a holistic medical approach founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917) in the late 19th century. Dr. Still believed in the body’s inherent ability to heal itself, viewing health as a balance between the body, mind, and spirit. This philosophy laid the groundwork for Craniosacral Therapy.
CST was further developed by Dr. William Garner Sutherland (1873-1954), an osteopath who discovered that the bones of the skull, which were traditionally thought to be fixed, actually have subtle movements.
He called this the "primary respiratory mechanism," reflecting the body's deeper rhythms, which are key to health. Later, Dr. John Upledger (1932-2012) expanded on Sutherland’s work, formalizing CST into the practice we know today.
He found that by using a light, gentle touch, practitioners could tap into the body’s craniosacral system—the membranes and fluid that protect the brain and spinal cord—to support the body’s natural healing processes.
How Does It Work?
CST, when done in person, the practitioner places their hands lightly on the body, often around the head, spine, or sacrum. But don’t be fooled by the subtlety—it’s not just a soft touch. The therapist is attuned to the tide of cerebrospinal fluid, the micro-movements of fascia and bone, and the emotional residue held in tissues. CST follows what we call the Inherent Treatment Plan—meaning, the body leads.
The therapist is not the doer; they follow the body’s priorities with humility. Often, people feel sensations like unwinding, floating, emotional release, or deep sleep-like stillness.
Now here’s where it gets profound.
This therapeutic rhythm—the craniosacral pulse—isn’t just a physical flow. It’s part of your energetic blueprint, your biofield. And your biofield is not limited by geography. Which is why this same healing dialogue can happen even without touch. This is where Distant Craniosacral Integration (DCSI) comes in.
In a DCSI session, which is done remotely (online), the therapist enters into a deep meditative state of stillness and attunement. Through the midline or the heart field, the practitioner connects to your system across space, tuning into the same craniosacral tide. The body presents its Inherent Treatment Plan even at a distance. The release is just as real. Sometimes even more direct—because the mind doesn’t get in the way.
This is for You, When…
When your body feels tired, but your mind won’t stop running.
When you cry easily… or can’t cry at all.
When you’re always “fine” on the outside but feel tangled inside.
When sleep doesn’t heal and silence feels loud.
When you flinch at touch, or long for it but don’t trust it.
When you carry stories (pain) in your spine no one else can see.
When you’ve done all the talking, but your body still holds the hurt.
When your child is sensitive, restless, or “too much” for the world.
When you’re always the one holding space, but have no space held for you.
When motherhood is new or you're preparing to be one.
When you want to soften but you don’t know how.
When you’re not sick, but you’re not well either.
When you’re craving stillness… but can't find the way in.
Not for You, If…
You’ve recently undergone surgery (including C section) and the body is still in acute repair.
You’re currently on strong painkillers.
You have an active infection, high fever, or uncontrolled inflammation.
You’ve had a fresh injury and the tissues need time before they can respond to subtle work.
You’re medically unstable and need immediate emergency care not subtle bodywork.
Please Note
Craniosacral Therapy and Distant Craniosacral Integration are not substitutes for emergency medical care, surgical intervention, or psychiatric treatment. These therapies do not aim to diagnose or treat disease. They support the body’s natural ability to self-regulate once it is safe and ready to do so.
They can be safely integrated with other healing modalities and are especially helpful in chronic, stress-related, or trauma-linked conditions where conventional methods have reached their limit.
