Craniosacral Therapy
Everyday we endure stresses and strains that your body absorbs and must work to compensate for. Your body can only handle so much stress. Over time these stresses and strains build up, creating stored traumas in the body. This chronic tension and stress can compromise the function of the central nervous system and the performance of nearly every other system in the body. Fortunately, such restrictions can be detected and corrected with Craniosacral Therapy.
What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral Therapy is a natural complimentary healing modality, that brings the body to a deep space of restoration; so that it can release tensions, stresses and traumas that have been stored in body.
Craniosacral Therapy was birthed out of osteopathy and believes that the body operates as a unit and has the ability to self-organize and self-correct if given the opportunity.
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle therapy, that evaluates and enhances the functioning of the craniosacral system – a system comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid acts as a shock absorber for the brain. It delivers nutrients to the nerves, brain and spinal-cord tissue, and washes away waste products created by various metabolic processes. It is critical to have a strong, functional craniosacral system for overall health and well- being.
Craniosacral Therapy optimizes the environment around the brain and spinal cord, enhancing the body's ability to self-correct and heal. Craniosacral Therapy is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including:
Stress, Post Concussion Symptoms, Migraine Headaches, Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue, Emotional Difficulties, Depression, Anxiety, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Central Nervous System Disorders, Neurovascular or Immune Disorders, Hormone Imbalances, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ), Painful Menstrual Cycles, Birthing Issues for Mother and Baby, Childhood Issues such as Learning Disabilities, Behavioural Concerns, Autism and ADD/ADHD and many more.
What is a Craniosacral Therapist Doing?
As a craniosacral therapist, Ashley is able to facilitate this process of self-healing by listening to the craniosacral rhythm, the movement made throughout the body by the cerebral spinal fluid, and feel for restrictions, held within the craniosacral system. The brain and spinal cord that make up the central nervous system are heavily influenced by the craniosacral system - the dura matter - membranes and fluid that surround, protect and nourish the brain and spinal cord. The daily stresses and strains your body must work to compensate for. Unfortunately, over time these strains cause body tissues to tighten, distorting the craniosacral system. These distortions can then cause tension to form around the brain and spinal cord resulting in restrictions in the movement of your cerebrospinal fluid. These restrictions can create a barrier to the healthy performance of the central nervous system, and potentially every other system it interacts with.
Ashley is able to evaluate the craniosacral system by feeling for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid pulsing around the brain and spinal cord. The pumping motion of this fluid creates a subtle pulse (detected through the palpation of the bones, muscles and fascia) similar to that of a heartbeat, which can be felt throughout the body. Through educated therapeutic presence Ashley is able to facilitate the release of these restrictions so that the body can self-correct and heal, in order to operate at its highest potential.
As these restrictions unwind through therapeutic release, the natural rhythm of the craniosacral system is restored, blood, and oxygen flow are improved, toxins are removed more efficiently, and brain cells function more effectively as they are able to receive the nutrients they require. The simplest way to explain the process is to imagine that your entire nervous system recalibrate’s allowing for rest, restoration and reorganization similar to the act of rebooting a computer.
Session Experience
A typical Craniosacral Therapy session will last about an hour and takes place remotely in a space that you feel comfortable in.
Ashley is able to tune into your craniosacral system to locate and release any restrictions. Ashley begins by gently connecting to various structures of the craniosacral system in order to monitor the rhythm of your cerebrospinal fluid that is flowing around your central nervous system. Through her educated therapeutic presence she is able to carefully listening and locate areas of weak flow or tissue tension or restriction. Ashley then traces those areas of weakness throughout the body to the original source of dysfunction. Using delicate techniques Ashley will assist the body in releasing the restrictions and tensions found in the body. Releasing these restrictions can help to improve the functioning of your central nervous system, naturally eliminate pain and stress, strengthening your resistance to disease and enhancing your health and well-being.
The sessions are generally deeply relaxing, creating feelings of warmth or gentle pulsing in the areas Ashley is working on.
It is recommended after a craniosacral session to rest and relax, even if it is only a few moments, before stepping back into your busy life. It is also recommended to drink plenty of water after treatment to help support the body in its healing process.
Number of sessions required
Response to Craniosacral Therapy varies from individual to individual and condition to condition. Your response is uniquely your own and cannot be compared to anyone else's - even those cases that may appear to be similar to your own, as we are all snowflakes. The number of sessions needed varies widely from a series of 5 -12 sessions or continued care over the course of several months.
This work is solutionary - meaning once the body has released the tension pattern it will not return.
How can Craniosacral Therapy be done Remotely?
Ashley level of sensitivity is second to none. She can feel and sense your physical body remotely. In her early training days in Craniosacral Therapy, she realised she had this skill set to tune into someone’s nervous system and their craniosacral system from afar. At the time this was not considered Craniosacral Therapy. During the pandemic Ashley’s senior mentors/teachers within the Upledger Institute began offering Craniosacral Therapy remotely. In 2021 Ashley began mentoring with these Advanced Upledger Teachers who were offering remote Craniosacral Therapy. In 2025, Ashley felt confident in this offering and moved her Craniosacral Therapy work to fully remote.
Ashley understands that this may not be the classic intraoral work or manual therapy techniques that in person Craniosacral Therapy can provide. However, after receiving years of this remote Craniosacral Therapy work from Advanced Upledger Teachers she can attest to the quality and powerful nervous system healing this avenue of receiving Craniosacral Therapy has to offer.
Is Craniosacral Therapy covered by extend health?
Typically Growing Whole’s Services are not covered by extended health unless you have a generally “Alternative/Complementary Health Category”. You can claim all of Growing Whole’s services as a health expense on your yearly income taxes.
Contradictions
Please note that Ashley does not work with clients who have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia and anyone who participates regularly in Plant Medicine Ceremonies (particularly Ayahuasca). Consistent use of Plant Medicine, Schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder are contraindicative to Growing Whole’s work. Also if you have a neurotoxin such as a mold infection Craniosacral Therapy can be overly stimulating and is not recommended until the neurotoxin has cleared.
Disclaimer: Craniosacral Therapy sessions are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological treatment and/or care.