CST is a gentle, deeply relaxing yet very powerful hands on way of working with people to support self-healing of the mind, body, spirit and emotions. The practitioner's listening hands give attention to the 'Breath of Life', a rhythmic impulse that can be felt throughout the body. When working or 'listening', your body will sense the support available and use this to begin to release and let go of whatever it needs to, at that time. This allows your body to set the pace of work and therefore remain comfortable, in control and able to integrate the changes that occur. Memories of past physical and emotional trauma can become trapped in the connective tissues and membranes of the body restricting the free flow of energy. These restrictions can lead to ill health. The practitioner assists the release of these restrictions through "listening" and very gentle and subtle holding of the tissues, membranes, bones and fluid. If I am working on your face and am causing the skin to wrinkle I am doing too much, the less I do more will happen.
During the session all you need to do is take off your shoes. Most of the work takes place with you lying down, although some techniques require you to stand or sit. You may experience states of deep relaxation, heat, tingling sensations and energy releases. CST is so gentle that it is safe and suitable for people of all ages, from babies to the elderly, and also people in fragile or acutely painful conditions. Indeed, it is often appropriate when other ways of working may be unsafe, such as during the second and third trimester in pregnancy, after an operation, accident, fall or injury, and for young babies. Often what seems like a recent ailment or condition can have its origin in very early experiences including birth trauma.
I feel when I am working, I am working with the whole of the body and across all timelines, acting as a catalyst for the body to let go of what it is able to release at that point in time. I liken it to counselling for the whole body, no need for people to talk about what is being released, unlike in counselling. I am very much being with the person, rather than "doing" things.
I trained in CranioSacral Therapy here in Edinburgh with CranioSacral Practitioner Training, Scotland qualifying in 1999. I have also attended courses in Edinburgh, and across the country working with Babies and Young Children,Visceral work and others.
First appointment lasts up to an hour and a half, which includes taking an extensive medical history, thereafter appointments are up to one hour. For babies appointments are for one hour.
Just as humans benefit from CST, animals do too. I completed training in Equine CST with Mike Harrison in Norfolk in 2008
I was recommended to Jo by one of my friends. At the time I was suffering from bad headaches, which frequently came on during the night, and had previously been diagnosed as a migraine sufferer. I had been given medication to take but had never had the urge or conviction to do so.
Apart from the headaches, I have had a stiff back for as long as I can remember. In the past I had been a frequent visitor to the physiotherapist and probably know enough to be able to treat my own back if an emergency occurs. Back pain soon turns into neck pain. I have to do a lot of flying and travel for my job, so that certainly does not help.
In addition to all the above, I began having problems with my ears, my sinuses and mucus in general. I had been taking some medication, but this only had a limited impact.
So, I was in need of some assistance! Right from the beginning I found Jo to be incredibly helpful and understanding. I suppose that I was a little cynical as to whether anyone could help me with some of my issues because I had suffered from them for such a long time. Jo calmly listened to my list of complaints and then began explaining how she could help me.
We began with some Hopi ear treatment: I had tried this once before but was less than impressed the first time. It only took 20 minutes of Jo's treatment for me to realise that this time was going to be different. At the end of my second session, my hearing had been fully restored and the benefits were obvious.
Because there was time left over from my second treatment, Jo asked whether I had tried cranial sacral therapy. I said that I had not, but I did not really realise what was involved as we began the first session. On reflection, I would probably have been terribly cynical about such treatment. Within 10 minutes of starting that first session, I felt my mind and body relax in an incredible manner. I have never been the best of sleepers, so imagine my surprise when I found myself falling asleep during the treatment! At the end of the first hour, my back was pain-free, my neck was totally loose and my mind felt both relaxed and drained at the same time. I now have this treatment on a regular basis and it has become an important part of managing my back related issues.
Jo is a very calm person. If you have any doubts about this type of treatment, these will soon disappear under her care. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to you.
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In 2006 I received a knock on my ankle which also resulted in damaged nerves and this was taking a long time to heal. I remembered that Roy Keane of Manchester United had told me about Reiki, so I decided to give it a go.
I began seeing Jo for Reiki and then tried CranioSacral Therapy which I have been having on a regular basis, during the football season, ever since. With the ankle injury after a couple of sessions the pain began to clear up. Not only that but my whole body felt very fresh and alive, almost like it had been de-cluttered. CST helps to release the body of tension, releasing the tension frees up energy. Seeing Jo is like re-charging my battery. I don't need to sleep so much and I wake up in the morning feeling a lot brighter and fresher. I feel it has also definitely helped me as a person, I feel more calm and relaxed.
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I began seeing Jo for CST in July 2005.
I get great relief from anxiety, nervous tension and sleeplessness associated with prescribed high dose.
CST from Jo was a lifesaver. I still see her when I can.
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