The body is literally connected from the tip of your toes to the top of your head!  Fascia, which is a connective tissue in the body, surrounds, envelopes and infuses ALL structures of the body including, but not limited to;  muscle fibers, muscle groups, bone, tendon, nerve sheaths, organs(viscera) & skin.  If you were to take away every single tissue in the body except for connective tissue, you would still see the entire human form, facial features and all!  It is a truly remarkable tissue, creating a great deal of structural support as well as a medium for transport of cells relating to your immune system, hydration & many other cellular processes.

Often trauma, which all of us experience throughout our lives is held in the Connective tissue/Fascia due to the increased production of collagen fibers during the healing process.  As a therapist who has studied Fascia, I understand the physiology, anatomy & mechanical properties of this tissue allowing me to treat most restrictions/holding patterns or dysfunction assessed.  Fascia has a tensile strength of approximately 2000 lbs/sq. inch, which in turn, can create very intense holding patterns in the body that do not generally respond to other soft tissue techniques.  Whether it be at a superficial or deep level, Fascial Release Therapy approaches the tissues in a manner that uses its mechanical properties to create release of holding patterns & restrictions in the body, thereby allowing greater ease of movement in the body, a decrease in discomfort or pain as well as a greater sense of well being.  This form of therapy does not use oils or lotions and often has the client active in the treatment process through various positions to increase the effectiveness as well as create an increase in body awareness.

I have found Fascial Release Therapy to be a very profound and effective form of treatment.

Craniosacral Therapy is a form of treatment primarily addressing the following structures; individual cranial bones, cranial membranes (Falx Cerebri, Falx Cerebelli, Tentorium Cerebelli), the spinal cord Dura and the Sacral bone at the base of the spine as well as the continual fluid fluctuation of the Cerebral Spinal Fluid.  As the therapist, I am able to use very subtle palpation to assess and treat dysfunction or dis-ease of the above structures as well as the other soft tissue structures they are in relation to.   It is a highly complex system of inter-related movements that when inhibited can create several symptoms throughout the body.

Generally, a very soft touch is used to allow palpation of the tissues MOTILITY, which is an inherent, measurable motion that comes from within all tissues of the body.  The afore mentioned structures have a very strong presentation of this motion allowing the therapist to accurately assess and treat or induce motility that may be suppressed or showing an incorrect pattern of motion.  These structures also have MOBILITY, a tissues ability to respond to external force.  It has been shown that the sutures of the cranial bones are actually somewhat pliable to allow for small movements. Usually this movement is in response to movement of the cranial membranes which are constantly in a reciprocated tension as well as the brain motion itself and all its fluid fluctuations of production & re-absorption of Cerebrospinal Fluid.  Where there is movement there can be immobility created from trauma.

Trauma is something that none of us are immune to.  We experience it throughout our lives whether it be dramatic or subtle.  It can take place anytime from within the womb to our elder years.  When we injure ourselves or create postures over the years, does it only just affect the muscles involved or the joints & ligaments of that area?  What about the underlying vitality of the tissue?  The deeper structures of the Central Nervous System?  We cannot say that trauma starts and stops in a logical format.  Our bodies are electrically charged, phenomenal beings that have many processes taking place at any given moment that we do not directly feel.  This does not mean, however, that we cannot train our hands to feel these processes.  This is the essence of Craniosacral Therapy.  Working in a more subtle aspect of our bodies to affect the larger presentation & well being.

Via the connective tissue in the body, (See Fascial Release Therapy), treatment within the craniosacral ‘system’ can allow for correction of seemingly more superficial or muscular problems.  I have found it to be especially useful for post-whiplash associated disorder (WAD), chronic pain patterns, migraine headaches, sinus conditions, tinnitus and dizziness to name a few.  I also find that it creates a balance & support in the body for corrective techniques used for pelvic misalignment which is often associated with lower back pain.

With the proper training, Craniosacral Therapy is a SAFE, NON-INVASIVE and can be practiced with anyone of ANY age including infants.  Working with infants has been most rewarding for me, as when a correction takes place, the infant quite simply feels better and shows this in their actions & behavior almost immediately.  For the most part, I incorporate CST into my Holistic approach of treatment rather than strictly using its techniques for an entire session.  I find it complements and cannot be separated from the Fascial Release Therapy that I use in my approach to the body.

BFI is an approach to treatment that integrates our knowledge of structure anatomy & function throughout the whole body and the relationships between the various tissues and how they present within their biotensegrity.  Understanding the fascial anatomy is key!
The therapist assesses for mobility & ease in the tissues and understands when & how to integrate techniques such as
Fascial mobilization, Visceral Mobilization & Cranio-Fascial Therapies to induce a change, increased mobility as well as a sense of ease in the body.  Often the patient has a greater sense of well being, increased quality of sleep, digestion and movement to name a few benefits.

Working with infants and children is a focus of a few of our therapists.  When you are matched with an RMT or Osteopath that works with this age group, it is because they are able to assess and treat, with great gentleness, some common presentations of colic, plagiocephaly, constipation, sleep issues, latching issues and more.  We often receive referals from doctors, other RMT’s and lactation consultants for our expertise.  We always do our best to get to know your child and connect with them so that they feel comfortable before we do any hands on treatment and the parent is always present.  Infants are often asleep during the treatment but can be held or nursed if ever needed.  Infant and children respond particularly well to the Craniosacral and Visceral Manipulation techniques.