Osteopathy

Craniosacral Therapy

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

Caroline Giles BA RCST

'I am absolutely thrilled to be working at Decoy Farm Clinics. The clinic has a truly special atmosphere which I am excited to be part of.'

What is Craniosacral Therapy it and who is it for?

Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy is a supportive and holistic approach to health and vitality and can help with:

· physical aches, pain, musculoskeletal disorders

· acute, chronic and fragile conditions

· stress, headaches, digestive disorders

· emotional wellbeing .

It is suitable for all ages from babies to the elderly and has been widely used to help infants settle the effects of the birth process.

Craniosacral therapy is gentle and respectful. In a session you will normally lie or sometimes sit fully-clothed on a treatment couch. Using a light touch the therapist will make contact by placing their hands on your body. The contact is made carefully so that you will feel at ease with what’s happening. The therapist then uses her hands to “listen” for restrictions in movement in the tissues and fluids (which correspond to a reduction in the natural capacity to self heal). By connecting with the underlying forces of health a natural process of reorganisation arises. During a treatment you may feel pleasant sensation such as warmth, tingling or deep relaxation.

Development of Craniosacral Therapy

William Garner Sutherland was a student of Andrew Still, the founder of Osteopathy. He is considered the pioneering creator of Osteopathy in the cranial field, or Cranial Osteopathy. The science of this form of osteopathy was evolved over his life time (1873-1954).

In the mid 1980s John Upledger started to teach it to non-osteopaths and created the term craniosacral therapy.

In the late 1980s Franklyn Sills originated an approach to the work that then became known as Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy. This way of working includes an orientation to deeper expressions of health in the body along with the recognition of the holistic nature of the human body. It also includes a more in depth model of working with trauma processes.

Training and affiliations

I am a registered member of the Craniosacral Therapy Association (CSTA) which sets high standards of training and practise and allows me to have the letter RCST after my name. This means that I am accountable to the CSTA’s Code of Ethics in Practise and that I am committed to continuing professional development.

I completed my 2 year training in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy in 2006 at the Craniosacral Therapy Educational Trust (CTET) in London – having completed the prerequisite year long training in Anatomy and Physiology. This included 200 supervised client hours and training clinic experience. I regularly attend postgraduate courses for my professional development, to allow me to further deepen my practise. I am in professional supervision with an accredited supervisor.

Background and interests

My practise is influenced by my experience of Chi Kung. I am a qualified Chi Kung teacher having completed a 4 year training at the College of Elemental Chi Kung in London. I am also a Level 2 practitioner in TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing exercises). I studied Philosophy at Bristol University and spent over 10 years working as an Opera/Theatre Director for companies such as English National Opera, Opera North, Scottish Opera as well as work in drama schools here and abroad. I am married and have two children. We live in Woodbridge.