Frequently Asked Questions

What is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST)?

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST) is a gentle yet powerful body therapy that uses non-doing, relational touch to support the body's inherent capacity for self-healing and regulation. It's rooted in the idea that the human body possesses an innate intelligence and a natural drive towards health, expressed through subtle, rhythmic movements and energetic flows. Unlike some manipulative therapies, BCST doesn't force changes; instead, the therapist acts as a guide, creating a safe and present space for the client's system to reorganise and heal itself from within. The therapy aims to foster a sense of wholeness, connection, and equilibrium within the individual, working with both physical and energetic aspects of their being.

What is involved in a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Treatment?

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy treatments typically last 45-60 minutes. Clients lay fully clothed on a massage table while the therapist uses a light touch to work with the body. Generally the therapist will start and finish the treatment at the clients feet and may move to other areas of the body as needed, this may include the joints, sacrum, diaphragm, face, head and shoulders. This is always with the consent of the client.

During a treatment clients may notice many new sensations or become aware of different aspects of their body. Clients often report a deep sense of relaxation and calm during and following a treatment. 

During a child's treatment, depending on the age, the child may be held by the caregiver or allowed to play while the therapist sits nearby.​​

How does Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy work?

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy operates on the principle of "relational touch," which is a core component of the therapy. This involves the practitioner entering a state of meditative awareness and presence, using a light, neutral touch to listen to the subtle expressions of health and rhythm within the client's body. The therapist's calm and balanced nervous system can influence the client's, promoting a state of relaxation and autonomic balance.

Relational touch is about listening without fixed agendas, allowing the body's inherent wisdom to set the priorities for the session. It facilitates a "relational field" where the client feels safe enough for traumatic experiences to emerge and resolve without overwhelm, or needing to relieve experiences, promoting a shift from limiting narratives of damage to adaptability and renewal. This process supports the client's "felt sense" capabilities, helping them reconnect with their body's sensations and inner resources.

What are the main benefits and applications of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy?

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy offers a wide range of benefits, focusing on promoting overall well-being and resolving underlying issues. Some common outcomes and applications include:

  • Stress Reduction and Autonomic Balance: Calming an agitated nervous system, shifting from sympathetic activation to parasympathetic re-emergence, leading to mental and emotional stability.

  • Supporting recovery from chronic illness and Long Haul Syndromes (CoVID19, Lyme’s Disease, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, POTS etc): Addressing symptoms and supporting inherent body systems, including lymphatic drainage and key organ relationships, can support and aid in the recovery process.

  • Pain Relief: Addressing chronic and acute pain by helping the body discharge chronic tension, reframe pain perceptions, and restore normal movement.

  • Trauma Resolution: Creating a safe space for the gentle release of traumatic experiences, including pre- and perinatal trauma, by allowing them to express in resourced ways for true resolution, without re-traumatisation.

  • Enhanced Embodiment: Helping individuals develop a stronger connection to their body, improve interoceptive awareness, and feel more grounded and present.

  • Increased Vitality: Boosting energy levels, promoting physiological balance, and enhancing the immune system and stamina.

  • Support for Babies and Families: Particularly well-known for helping babies navigate the impact of birth forces, addressing anxiety and digestive issues.

  • General Well-being: Fostering a sense of equilibrium, calm wellness, and joy, allowing the body's natural healing mechanisms to reorient to its original health blueprint.

Is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy scientifically supported?

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy aims to integrate recent scientific findings while honoring its historical lineage. It draws on evidence from:

  • Neuroscience: Understanding pain as a perception rather than solely tissue damage, the role of the vagus nerve in safety and stress response, and how the brain creates a "virtual body."

  • Fascia & Lymphatics Research: Exploring how information moves through the body's connective tissue network and its interaction with the nervous system, influencing hydration, fluid flow, and body maps.

  • Mindfulness and Presence: The known power of these states to influence well-being.

  • Trauma Research: Clear models on how interacting with neurology helps overcome trauma.