Integrative Craniosacral Therapy + Reiki

Integrative Craniosacral Therapy + Reiki

Experience a gentle, whole-person approach to healing that combines the therapeutic techniques of Craniosacral Therapy with the restorative energy of Reiki and/or Healing Touch. This integrative session is designed to calm the nervous system, release physical and emotional tension, and support your body's natural ability to heal.

Using light touch and intuitive awareness, each session is thoughtfully tailored to your unique needs of the session. By working with both the craniosacral system and the body's subtle energy field, this approach helps regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, ease pain and tension, and promote physical, emotional, and energetic balance.

A person with tattoos on their arm holding and gently massaging the head of a patient lying down.

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy is an energetic and intuitive style of bodywork that allows the body to release stagnation and tension throughout the fascial network. This very gentle yet powerful practice can be beneficial for headaches and migraines, concussions and traumatic brain injuries, TMJ dysfunction, and many more musculoskeletal issues. Craniosacral therapy also aids in the release of energetic and trauma-induced stagnation in our soft tissue.

Diagram of muscle cell structure showing fascia, muscle fibers, blood vessels, myofibril, sarcomere, actin, and myosins.

Craniosacral Therapy focuses on the gentle placement of hands to help release tension in your body’s connective tissue. This is known as “fascia.” It’s a casing found throughout your body that holds your organs, glands, nerves, muscles, blood vessels, brain, and spinal cord. The fascia forms a body-wide connective tissue network.

The human body is interconnected, both structurally and functionally. This means that one area of your body can affect another. The goal of Craniosacral Therapy is tension relief. This may help other connected parts of your body function better through:

  • Self-regulation.

  • Self-correction.

  • Self-healing.

What is Reiki?

With deep roots in Japan, Reiki is a form of energy work, which likely works on levels not (yet) understood or quantifiable by a Western/colonial scientific worldview. Hands-on Reiki involves light, non-invasive touch; rather than using pressure or physical manipulation, Reiki is believed to work with the subtle human energy body or vibrational field, also known as the biofield.

According to Reiki cosmology, the practice of Reiki involves the transmission of universal life force energy through the practitioner to the recipient. It is believed that the practice of Reiki can support a person’s ki (or life force energy, like qi in TCM) to become more vibrant, vital, and free-flowing. Reiki is considered “non-directive” energy work–the Reiki practitioner is not directing the energy, but it is believed to go where it is needed for the recipient’s highest good.

Learn more about Reiki here and on our Reiki blog article.

By working with both the craniosacral system and the body's subtle energy field, this approach helps regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, ease pain and tension, and promote physical, emotional, and energetic balance. This nurturing experience may be beneficial for those experiencing:

  • Stress, anxiety, or overwhelm

  • Chronic pain or muscle tension

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Trauma recovery or nervous system dysregulation

  • Fatigue or burnout

  • Emotional imbalance

  • Difficulty relaxing or sleeping

  • A desire for deeper self-care, relaxation, and overall well-being

Physical Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Pain Relief

Craniosacral Therapy can effectively reduce chronic pain, including headaches, migraines, neck pain, and back pain. By gently manipulating the cranial bones and spinal column, Craniosacral Therapy helps release tension in the central nervous system, which can alleviate pressure contributing to pain and discomfort.

Improved Nervous System Function

One of the primary goals of Craniosacral Therapy is to enhance the function of the autonomic nervous system. By releasing restrictions around the brain and spinal cord, the therapy promotes better communication between the brain and body, supporting overall nervous system regulation and reducing symptoms related to anxiety and stress.

Enhanced Mobility and Flexibility

Through gentle manipulations, Craniosacral Therapy can release restrictions in the fascia and tissues surrounding the spine and skull. This often results in an improved range of motion and flexibility, particularly in the head, neck, and spine, benefiting individuals with stiffness or restricted movement.

Support for Trauma Recovery

Craniosacral Therapy is often used as a gentle, non-invasive therapy to help individuals recover from physical and emotional trauma. By calming the nervous system and relieving deep-seated restrictions, Craniosacral Therapy can provide relief from somatic symptoms associated with trauma, supporting both physical and emotional healing.

Stress and Tension Relief

Craniosacral Therapy is deeply relaxing and helps engage the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs the body's relaxation response. By promoting a state of calm, Craniosacral Therapy aids in reducing muscle tension, easing mental stress, and fostering a sense of balance and well-being.

Postural Alignment

Craniosacral Therapy can address imbalances caused by tension in the fascia and misalignments of the cranial bones or spine. Regular sessions may help promote better posture by releasing deep patterns of holding tension, leading to more natural spinal alignment and reduced strain on muscles and joints.

Elsie Olin is performing craniosacral therapy to another person lying face up on a massage table, in a room with Asian artwork in the background in Northeast Minneapolis at Minnesota Integrative Health Studio.

Integrative Craniosacral Therapy + Reiki

30 Minutes

Integrative Craniosacral Therapy + Reiki

60 Minutes

A person receiving craniosacral therapy in Northeast Minneapolis at Minnesota Integrative Health Studio.

Integrative Craniosacral Therapy + Reiki

90 Minutes

Craniosacral Therapy FAQs