the health plex
Rosemount Avenue, Artane, Dublin 5, Ireland

Top Quality Health Solutions Reflecting the Needs of Modern Living

CranioSacral Therapy (CST)

What is Craniosacral Therapy ?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on holistic complementary therapy that focuses on the flow of spinal fluids throughout the body. It particularly focuses on the fluids that flow from the brain to the base of the spine. Through the gentle touch of the head and areas along the spinal column,

and unwinding movements of the limbs, the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid is promoted to restore balance, enhance mobility, relieve tensions and restore normal function to an affected area.

If you are looking for CranioSacral Therapy - CST - on the northside of Dublin, particularly in the Artane, Clontarf, Killester, Raheny and Howth Road areas then the health plex is perfect for you.

The Origin of Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy has it's origins in cranial osteopathy, developed by Dr William Garner Sutherland in the USA. Born in 1873, Dr. Sutherland based his theories on the premise that the bones in the head are not fixed and can move slightly. He demonstrated that these cranial bones are capable of small movements and gentle manipulation. Such manipulation could help to adjust the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid. A consequence of this is the promotion of healing and re-balancing of the body's systems. The first osteopathic school was established during the 1940's. The first Craniosacral therapist to teach the skills to people who were not trained osteopath's was Dr. John Upledger in the 1970's. It was Dr Upledger that first coined the phrase Craniosacral therapy.

Why Choose Craniosacral Therapy?

CST is a gentle, non-invasive therapy which seeks to remove restrictions from the craniosacral system. This system is made up of the membranes & fluid that surround & protect the brain & spinal cord. This vital system extends from the bones of the skull down to the sacrum, or tailbone area.

The craniosacral system influences the development and performance of the brain & spinal cord. So an imbalance or restriction within this system can potentially cause any number of sensory, motor or neurological problems.

Because each of us produces our own different reactions to trauma, stress and loss of healing capacity we each present our own unique combination of ailments, pains & dysfunction.

Cranio-Sacral Therapy helps to clear the way for our self-healing mechanisms to be more effective & this allows the body to accurately restore its natural balance.

Some of the more common ailments that Cranio-Sacral Therapy can assist with are:

CST is also widely used to help babies & infants. The routine evaluation of newborns often reveals and permits the release of strains & restrictions that may, if left, lead to chronic dysfunction later in life.

CST for children can help in the resolution of issues such as:

A Typical Initial Craniosacral Therapy Session

A CranioSacral Therapy session usually takes place in a quiet, private setting. We recommend that clients wear loose, comfortable clothing. Clients remain fully clothed, though most choose to remove their shoes. The session is performed with the client reclining on a massage or treatment table while the practitioner stands or sits, positioned at various times throughout the session at the client's head, middle torso or feet.

What You May Experience During a CST Session

Experiences during a CST session are as individual as the clients and practitioners themselves. They also may differ from session to session. At times, a client may deeply relax or even fall asleep; at other times, he or she may talk a great deal, recalling hidden memories or expressing emotions. Some will remain still during the entire session, hardly noticing the practitioner's evaluation and treatment, while others will experience sensations within the body as the evaluation process is carried out.

At various times throughout the session, the practitioner will support a client's limbs and spine while facilitating release of accumulated tension. This process is called energy cyst release or tissue release. During this release, the client might recall circumstances surrounding a past shock, trauma or injury. Releasing and re-experiencing past hurts assists the body in reversing dysfunction and restoring the previous level of mobility.

What You May Experience Following a CST Treatment

Just as individuals experience CST sessions differently, the immediate results can be diverse as well. This relaxed state may cause some to sleep for many hours after a session. Others may experience an increase in energy. Reduction of pain or an increase in function may occur immediately after the session, or it may develop gradually over the next few days. Since CST helps the body resume its natural healing processes, it isn't unusual for improvement to continue weeks after the session. For some there may be a reorganisation phase as the body adapts to the release of previously held patterns.

Resident Craniosacral Therapist

Our resident Craniosacral Therapist at the health plex is Tony Lawless -
Phone: 087 223 0052 or Email Tony

Easy Access and Lots of Free Parking

Situated on Rosemount Avenue in Artane the health plex is easily accessible. As you can see from the map below we are situated midway between the Malahide Road and the Howth Road. There is plenty of free parking available and the local DART station is at Harmonstown.

Contact Details for the health plex