Is Craniosacral Therapy safe?

Craniosacral Therapy is one of the gentlest manual therapies available, the touch is approximately the weight of a nickel. It is widely considered safe for most people across the lifespan, from newborns to seniors. That said, CST is not appropriate for everyone (see contraindications below), and it is a complementary modality, not a substitute for medical evaluation. If you have a serious medical condition, please consult your physician before scheduling.

What does a Craniosacral session feel like?

Most clients describe sessions as deeply relaxing, many fall asleep. You may feel gentle pulsing, warmth, a sense of unwinding, subtle muscular twitching as tension releases, or quiet emotional movement. Some people feel very little during the session and notice the change in the days that follow. There is no "correct" experience.

How should I prepare for my first session?

Drink plenty of water before and after, wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing, and try not to eat a heavy meal in the hour before. Plan a quiet evening if possible, many clients prefer not to schedule anything demanding immediately after.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on what you are working with. Many clients notice meaningful change in a single session. For chronic concerns or nervous-system regulation, a bi-weekly series of three or more sessions is typical, which is why our Signature Ritual packages bundle three sessions on a bi-weekly cadence.

Will I be able to drive afterward?

Most people can drive home safely. A small number of clients feel mildly disoriented or drowsy for an hour or two after the session, if that happens, take a few quiet minutes before getting on the road.

Do you accept insurance?

Sessions are cash-pay. We can provide a superbill on request, and many clients use HSA or FSA funds. Please confirm coverage with your insurer before booking if reimbursement is essential.

Is Craniosacral Therapy safe during pregnancy?

CST is widely used during pregnancy and is generally considered safe and supportive, our "Rock Me Slowly" session is specifically designed for pregnancy and fertility. As with any therapy during pregnancy, please confirm with your OB or midwife before scheduling.

Are there situations when I should not book a session?

CST is generally contraindicated in the presence of acute intracranial bleeding, recent skull fracture, or severely elevated intracranial pressure. If you have any of these conditions, please consult your physician before scheduling. For acute illness, fever, active infection, we ask that you reschedule for the safety of all our clients.

What to Expect at Your First Craniosacral Therapy Session

First, what Craniosacral Therapy actually is

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a hands-on, very gentle modality rooted in Osteopathic medicine. The practitioner uses light contact, about the weight of a nickel, at key points along the cranium, spine, and sacrum to feel for restrictions in the craniosacral system and help release them.

The goal is to support the natural movement of cerebrospinal fluid in and around the central nervous system, which in turn supports your body's innate ability to regulate, restore, and heal. Read more about Craniosacral Therapy →

Before your session: how to prepare

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You will remain fully clothed throughout the session. Soft pants and a t-shirt or sweater work well, avoid anything tight at the neck, waist, or feet.
Hydrate. Drink water in the hours before your session and plan to keep drinking water afterward. CST often triggers a gentle release of tension that can leave you mildly dehydrated.
Don't eat a heavy meal right before. A light snack 60–90 minutes ahead is fine; a big meal can make lying still uncomfortable.
Arrive a few minutes early. Especially for your first visit, it gives you time to settle, fill out any intake paperwork, and ask questions.
Plan a quiet rest of the day if you can. Many clients prefer not to schedule anything demanding immediately afterward.

During the session: what actually happens

A standard session is 60 minutes. You will lie face-up on a comfortable treatment table in a quiet, warm room. Maura may guide you in a brief breathing exercise or short meditation to help you settle.

From there, she applies gentle touch to bony landmarks along the cranium, spine, and sacrum, feeling for the craniosacral rhythm and any places where flow is restricted. Where she finds a restriction, she uses very light contact to invite it to open up and re-establish balanced flow.

You might feel:

Deep relaxation, most clients drift in and out of sleep
Gentle warmth or subtle pulsing under the practitioner's hands
Light muscular twitching as held tension releases (this is called "unwinding")
Slight temperature changes, deeper breathing, or a quiet emotional release
Sometimes, very little, and you'll notice the change in the day or two that follows

There is no "correct" experience. Maura will check in with you during the session, but you don't need to do anything actively, your only job is to rest.

After the session: the next 24–48 hours

Most clients leave feeling calm, grounded, and noticeably lighter. A few notes on what is normal:

You may feel mildly tired or "spacey" for an hour or two. If you feel that way, take a few quiet minutes before driving.
Drink extra water for the next 24 hours. Hydration helps the body integrate the work.
Move gently. A walk is great, a CrossFit class right after is not the goal.
Notice what changes over the next 24–48 hours. Sometimes the most noticeable shift, better sleep, less pain, a quieter mind, comes the next day.
Occasionally, you may feel temporarily more sensitive. A brief uptick in symptoms before they settle is a normal part of release for some people. If it persists more than 48 hours, let Maura know.

How many sessions will you need?

Most clients notice meaningful change after a single session. For lasting nervous-system regulation, chronic pain, or recovery work, a series of three or more sessions on a bi-weekly cadence is typical, this is exactly the structure of our Signature Ritual packages ($525 for three sessions).

If you are coming in for a specific acute issue (e.g. recent concussion, migraine flare, a difficult emotional period), three to six sessions over six to ten weeks is a reasonable starting expectation. Maura will give you a personalized recommendation after your first session.

When to consult your physician first

Craniosacral Therapy is a complementary wellness modality. It is not a substitute for medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your physician before scheduling if you have:

Recent head injury, skull fracture, or suspected intracranial bleeding
Severely elevated intracranial pressure or recent cerebrospinal-fluid leak
Recent stroke or brain aneurysm
Any acute medical condition for which you have not yet sought evaluation

For an acute illness, fever, active infection, contagious symptoms, please reschedule for the safety of all our clients.

Frequently asked questions

Is Craniosacral Therapy safe?: Craniosacral Therapy is one of the gentlest manual therapies available, the touch is approximately the weight of a nickel. It is widely considered safe for most people across the lifespan, from newborns to seniors. That said, CST is not appropriate for everyone (see contraindications below), and it is a complementary modality, not a substitute for medical evaluation. If you have a serious medical condition, please consult your physician before scheduling.
What does a Craniosacral session feel like?: Most clients describe sessions as deeply relaxing, many fall asleep. You may feel gentle pulsing, warmth, a sense of unwinding, subtle muscular twitching as tension releases, or quiet emotional movement. Some people feel very little during the session and notice the change in the days that follow. There is no "correct" experience.
How should I prepare for my first session?: Drink plenty of water before and after, wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing, and try not to eat a heavy meal in the hour before. Plan a quiet evening if possible, many clients prefer not to schedule anything demanding immediately after.
How many sessions will I need?: It depends on what you are working with. Many clients notice meaningful change in a single session. For chronic concerns or nervous-system regulation, a bi-weekly series of three or more sessions is typical, which is why our Signature Ritual packages bundle three sessions on a bi-weekly cadence.
Will I be able to drive afterward?: Most people can drive home safely. A small number of clients feel mildly disoriented or drowsy for an hour or two after the session, if that happens, take a few quiet minutes before getting on the road.
Do you accept insurance?: Sessions are cash-pay. We can provide a superbill on request, and many clients use HSA or FSA funds. Please confirm coverage with your insurer before booking if reimbursement is essential.
Is Craniosacral Therapy safe during pregnancy?: CST is widely used during pregnancy and is generally considered safe and supportive, our "Rock Me Slowly" session is specifically designed for pregnancy and fertility. As with any therapy during pregnancy, please confirm with your OB or midwife before scheduling.
Are there situations when I should not book a session?: CST is generally contraindicated in the presence of acute intracranial bleeding, recent skull fracture, or severely elevated intracranial pressure. If you have any of these conditions, please consult your physician before scheduling. For acute illness, fever, active infection, we ask that you reschedule for the safety of all our clients.