About CST & SER

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CranioSacral Therapy?

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, light-touch modality that seeks to find and treat restrictions throughout the body systems. By aiding the body in releasing restrictions in the tissues, it can contribute to overall health and well-being and support the body’s innate ability to heal. CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its potential to bolster resistance to disease, and can be useful for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction. Ultimately, CST is about treating and supporting the whole person, and can help the body to heal from chronic and acute conditions, and contribute to improved quality of life.

What is SomatoEmotional Release?

Memories, emotions and beliefs from events from childhood to the present, including traumatic events, can be held in the body. Sometimes this can be a part of the underlying cause of one’s condition. SomatoEmotional Release is a therapeutic process using CST touch and therapeutic dialogue which helps your body release stored physical and emotional distress and tension, thus increasing personal energy, freedom from associated pain, and a sense of tranquility and well-being.

How does CranioSacral Therapy work?

With a light touch, the CST practitioner uses his or her hands to evaluate the craniosacral system by gently palpating different locations of the body to check the ease of motion of the tissues, and the quality of the craniosacral rhythm. The therapist supports the body in releasing the tissue restrictions that are found. By assisting the body in releasing restrictions, it helps to improve tissue movement, improve fluid flow (lymph, blood, etc), normalize the environment around the brain and spinal cord to create better nervous system regulation, and improve the body’s ability to heal and maintain homeostasis. CST can help alleviate a wide variety of symptoms associated with stress and pain.

What is the CranioSacral Rhythm?

To learn details about the most up-to-date research on how the craniosacral rhythm is produced, check out this summary article on the pacemaker theory, or visit this link to see a presentation on the pacemaker theory, as well as the research journal article.

What is a CranioSacral Therapy session like?

During a session, a client is fully clothed and reclines face up on a cushioned massage table. In cases when a client is unable to recline, they may sit in a chair, or for children, may be held by a parent and engage with toys and play. With a light touch, the therapist palpates different areas of the body to find areas of restriction for treatment. Clients are invited to speak as much or as little as they are comfortable, ask questions, and provide feedback throughout the session, as well as feel free to move as they need.

How many sessions will I need?

This answer is variable. Some people experience relief and changes right after their first session. Often, 4-6 follow-up visits in close succession produce the most noticeable changes and best results. Clients will often come once or twice per week until they optimize their health. Once an issue is addressed an improved, clients may elect to decrease the frequency of visits. For routine health maintenance and “tune-ups”, some may choose to visit weekly, bi-weekly, once per month, or quarterly. Those with more chronic or debilitating conditions may decide to come regularly as part of their care plan to manage their symptoms and condition long term.

How can Craniosacral Therapy help me?

By allowing the body the chance to enter a state of “rest and digest”, the body has a better opportunity to heal what it may not be able to do as efficiently when it is in “fight or flight”.

Craniosacral therapy can help many conditions ranging from:

• Migraines and Headaches
• Chronic Neck and Back Pain
• Stress and Tension-Related Disorders
• Motor-Coordination Impairments
• Infant and Childhood Disorders
• Breastfeeding issues
• Tongue tie
• Long COVID
• Lyme disease
• GI issues
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Post-Concussion Symptoms
• Chronic Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• TMJ Syndrome
• Scoliosis
• Central Nervous System Disorders
• Learning Disabilities
• ADD/ADHD
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Orthopedic Problems
• And Many Other Conditions

Visit this link for more detailed FAQ’s on Upledger.com

Free Learning Resources

Check out this podcast video about CST and SER:

E-brochures:

• Discover CranioSacral Therapy the Healing Power of Gentle Touch e-brochure
• Discover CranioSacral Therapy for Children e-brochure
• Discover CranioSacral Therapy for Conception, Pregnancy, and Birthing e-brochure

Research:

Meet your CST Therapist, Anni:

• Upledger Certified CranioSacral Therapist
• Ongoing CST/SER training
• Upledger Teaching Assistant
• Skilled in Mouth work
• Active Registered Nurse
• Nurse advocate to bridge the gap between complementary/alternative care and allopathic medicine
• Medical experience in women’s health, intensive care, cardiac care, family medicine, triage, and hospice & palliative care
• Lifelong musician specializing in piano, guitar, voice, and hand percussion
• Music educator, composer, and recording artist
• Visit IAHP to learn more about Anni

I look forward to working with you!

Office & Hours

The office is located at 1275 Glenlivet Dr. Suite 100, Allentown, PA 18106

Call, text or email Anni directly for an appointment, timing is flexible.

annipowellcst@protonmail.com

484-951-0388

Your referral is the greatest complement and thanks for service.

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