Craniosacral Therapy 101
Your sleep has been poor
You’ve been feeling less energetic
Your stress levels are up
You're dealing with migraines/PMS/back pain…
For those dealing with stress or physical disease, Craniosacral Therapy (CST)is a hands-on, light-touch bodywork treatment that works to reduce “restrictions” in the body that can contribute to the buildup of tension and chronic pain.
Benefits of CST can include immediate relief of accumulated stress, profound feelings of calmness and relaxation, and renewed body awareness. CST can also identify other areas of tension and imbalance through the assessment of the craniosacral rhythm.
What’s Craniosacral Therapy?
CST isn’t massage. That’s a common mix-up. Rather, Craniosacral Therapy (or CST) works with your craniosacral system, which includes the bones of the head, spine, and sacrum, all connected by a membrane called the dura mater. This whole system is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid, creating a pulse (called the craniosacral rhythm) that therapists are trained to feel and work with.
Using super-light touch, CST practitioners tune in to that rhythm—looking for subtle shifts in movement, balance, and tone. From there, they gently work with the body to help release restrictions and tension, often in places you didn’t even know were holding it.
What’s a CST session like?
You’ll stay fully dressed—just wear something comfy. You’ll lie on your back on a massage table (which might be heated if it’s chilly out). Your therapist starts at your feet and slowly works their way up to your head, neck, back, and sacrum, spending about 10 minutes in each area.
The touch is feather-light. It’s not massage-y—no kneading or compression. More like your body is being softly supported, almost like it’s being listened to with hands.
If it’s your first time, you might find yourself wondering, Wait, is this it? That’s totally normal. But with time, you’ll start to feel the shifts, and the experience becomes something you look forward to. Many people doze off, drop into a meditative state, or hover in that sweet spot between sleep and waking.
Sometimes, emotions surface. You might feel a wave of sadness, a need to sigh, or even shed a tear. That’s part of the body’s release process, and your practitioner is 100% comfortable holding space for whatever comes up.
Pro tip: drink lots of water before and after. Your nervous system goes through some big shifts, and staying hydrated helps your body process and reset.
Afterward, you might feel a little foggy, but also calm, recharged, and more you. CST won’t magically fix everything in one go, but it’s often the first real step toward feeling better in a lasting way. You and your practitioner can decide together what kind of rhythm or plan makes sense for your needs.
Who’s CST for?
CST can be helpful for pretty much anyone—babies, kids, adults, elders. It’s especially wonderful for newborns (even more so for C-section babies) to help with sleep, digestion, latch, and overall development. Other things it can support include:
- PCOS
- Headaches (chronic or acute)
- PMS
- Depression
- Anxiety + stress
- Neck and jaw tension
- Concussions + trauma
- PTSD
- Nerve pain or damage
- IBS and reflux
- Autoimmune challenges
- TMJ
- Degenerative or motor disorders
- Releasing deep tension, physical and otherwise
Note: There are a few situations where CST might not be the right fit, like if you’ve recently had a head injury, brain surgery, or have certain medical conditions related to the brain or spinal fluid. When in doubt, check with your doctor first.
We offer Craniosacral Therapy at Boketto, and are lucky to have Marisa Manriquez as a practitioner at Boketto.
Marisa is a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist devoted to supporting your journey toward balance and well-being.
With reverence and gentle touch, Marisa listens to the subtle rhythms of your body, helping to ease tension, restore harmony, and reconnect you with your innate wholeness.
Her work is shaped by many streams: contemplative practice, motherhood, ritual, and a deep trust in the body’s wisdom. Whether you’re seeking relief, renewal, or deeper connection, Marisa’s here to hold space with presence and care.