Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

In our craniosacral therapy work, we treat a full spectrum of presenting symptoms. We specialize in working with newborns, babies/children, as well as people with concussions and TBIs (traumatic brain injuries). Other conditions that we commonly treat include vertigo, tinnitus, sleep apnea, stress, anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, TMJ, PTSD, nervous system issues, chronic pain, MS, autism, cancer, and support for chemotherapy and radiation, conditions indicating need for glymphatic drainage like dementia, and resilience-based birth trauma resolution.

Supporting Families & Newborns

We work with families who are pregnant and in the postpartum period to support bonding and attachment through building coherent fields of connection with adequate layers of support. Helping babes transition earth side and find more proficiency and ease with breastfeeding and settling their systems.

Our Philosophy

The heart and soul of our practice is really about simple kindness. Wanting to help people in a way that deepens their abilities to grow themselves without becoming dependent. While we both use several different therapeutic tools, biodynamic craniosacral therapy is our mainstay.

Roots in Osteopathy

Craniosacral therapy has evolved through different iterations. Its roots come from osteopathy. Andrew Taylor Still developed osteopathy in large part from his intense work as a surgeon during the Civil War. His philosophy was that all body systems are interrelated and interdependent in their structure and function. He believed that wellness derived from the health of the whole system.

The Cranial Approach

William Garner Sutherland became an early student of Still and was the first osteopathic physician to conceptualize the cranial approach and teach it systematically. Sutherland lived until 1954 and deepened the science of osteopathy. He developed the biomechanical approach of cranial sacral therapy, which, like osteopathy, uses a more manipulative approach to aiding in the mobility of the spinal cord and brain.

The fluctuation and function of the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain and spinal cord operate in a reciprocal tension membrane system consisting of the 3 layers of the dura as it folds around the cerebral hemispheres of the brain and continues down around the spinal cord to the sacrum.

The Biodynamic Evolution

Sutherland had an incredible volume of clients during his career, and his practice evolved into what we call the biodynamic approach to craniosacral therapy. He realized that there is wisdom in the body/soul that realizes exactly what is needed in the system. This deep, inherent treatment plan is accessed through stillness and neutrality. When the client's system feels safe, seen, and understood, the changes that arise from this inherent wisdom can be quite remarkable.

Cranial bones move, nervous systems settle, cerebral spinal fluid flows, nourishing and removing waste, fascia releases and reorganizes, and organs reinvigorate. The regenerative forces of the breath of life and primary respiration work right down to the cellular level. Even and especially in the quantum realm.

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy for Autism

In this video, Betsy Hicks-Russ discusses the transformative effects of craniosacral therapy on children with autism, particularly her son Joey. Joined by Clara and Hiraman, they explore the importance of understanding the nervous system, regulation, and the impact of sensory overload. The discussion delves into the techniques of craniosacral therapy, the significance of building safety and trust, and how it can aid in motor planning and emotional regulation. The conversation emphasizes the need for caregivers to also find support and regulation in their own lives to better assist their children. In this conversation, Betsy Hicks-Russ and Clara and Hiraman explore various aspects of child development, focusing on the importance of nature, proprioception, and the vagus nerve in self-regulation. They discuss practical techniques for managing stress and meltdowns, the significance of stimming, and the emerging understanding of telepathy and consciousness. The role of breath in calming the mind is emphasized as a vital tool for both parents and children.
Check out more by Betsy Hicks-Russ Autism Odyssey - AutismOdyssey.orgBetsyOnTheGo.com