NYC’s Leading Integrative Health Care Center

Get Hormone eBook
Get Price Quote
Make an Appointment
Patients Medical
Make an Appointment

Craniosacral Therapy

Home / Treatments

AI Smart Summary

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on integrative bodywork modality that releases tension and restrictions in the craniosacral system — the membranes and fluid that surround the brain and spinal cord. This therapy supports nervous system regulation, reduces pain and stress, and promotes deep relaxation and healing. On this page, you’ll learn how Craniosacral Therapy helps with chronic pain, headaches, stress and trauma responses, TMJ dysfunction, and neurological symptoms while restoring balance across the musculoskeletal, nervous, and soft-tissue systems.

Fast Facts

What It Is

Light touch therapy targeting craniosacral rhythm and fascial tension

Primary Benefits

Relaxation, pain reduction, improved nervous system balance, enhanced mobility

How It Works

Gentle manual guidance encourages cerebrospinal fluid flow and fascia release

Ideal For

Chronic pain, headaches, TMJ issues, stress, trauma, nervous system dysregulation

Complementary Therapy

Works well with physical therapy, massage, chiropractic care, yoga, breathwork

HOW CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY WORKS

  • Tension release in fascia and connective tissues
  • Optimization of cerebrospinal fluid flow
  • Nervous system balance between sympathetic vs parasympathetic states
  • Reduction of inflammation and tissue restrictions
  • Support for neurological and musculoskeletal communication

POPULAR CONDITIONS IT HELPS

  • Chronic neck and back pain
  • Migraines and tension headaches
  • TMJ pain and jaw tension
  • Post-injury fascial restrictions
  • Stress-related tension and anxiety
  • Fibromyalgia and central sensitization symptoms
  • Vertigo and balance-related complaints

TOP QUESTIONS ANSWERED

  • What is Craniosacral Therapy?
  • What does it feel like?
  • How many sessions will I need?
  • Is CST safe?
  • Can it help with chronic pain?
  • Can CST work with other therapies?

Recommended Next Steps

Schedule your Craniosacral Therapy Consultation

Combine with Myofascial Release or Physical Therapy as needed

Track improvements in stress, pain, mobility, and sleep

 Integrate breathwork and body awareness tools

Follow up regularly for maintenance when needed

Craniosacral Therapy at Patients Medical

Who We Are & How We Practice

At Patients Medical, we are a physician-led integrative medical clinic in New York City dedicated to whole-person healing — treating body, mind, and lifestyle together. Our Craniosacral Therapy is provided by highly trained therapists who integrate CST with functional assessments, manual medicine, and supportive therapies to help patients overcome pain, stress, post-traumatic tension, and nervous system imbalance.

Our approach is gentle, personalized, and rooted in understanding your unique structural, nervous, and stress patterns so that healing comes from the inside out.

Quick Facts About Patients Medical

  • Established: 1974
  • Location: Midtown Manhattan
  • Specialties: Integrative medicine, manual therapies, functional health, nervous system care
  • Team: MDs, DOs, craniosacral therapists, physical therapists, pain specialists
  • Care Model: Root-cause evaluation + individualized therapy plans
  • Focus Areas: Chronic pain, headaches, TMJ, stress, trauma responses, autonomic regulation

Conditions & Symptoms We Commonly Treat

• Chronic neck and back pain
 • Tension and migraine headaches
 • Jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction
 • Post-concussive tension and balance issues
 • Fibromyalgia and nerve sensitivity
 • Stress related fascial and neurologic patterns
 • Sleep disturbances linked to tension
 • Autonomic dysregulation symptoms

Our Whole-Person Integrative Care Model

Craniosacral Therapy at Patients Medical is not a stand-alone modality — it’s part of a comprehensive healing ecosystem.

We blend:
 • Craniosacral and manual fascial release
 • Functional assessment of nervous system balance
 • Lifestyle and stress management
 • Complementary therapies such as massage, PT, chiropractic support
 • Mind-body tools (breathwork, mindfulness, somatic practices)

This model addresses not only where you feel discomfort — but why tension patterns persist.

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a western-based healing practice that applies gentle touch and pressure to fascia surrounding the cranium, spine, and sacrum in an effort to re-balance the body’s energy. This gentle technique assesses the pulse of an individual’s life energy, as exemplified in the natural rhythmic flow of craniosacral fluid, or spinal fluid. This pulse can be an indicator of imbalance in the same way that high or low blood pressure can indicate that an individual’s health needs to be addressed.

While this healing practice is based on the 20th-century research of Dr William Sutherland and Dr. John Upldedger, it shares inherent principles with millennia-old Eastern medicinal practices. It acknowledges the presence of a universal life force which must be in balance for the body to remain healthy, and to heal itself, when things begin to go off kilter. CST can be used as preventative medicine as well as a treatment for specific conditions.

For CST at Patients Medical, make an appointment with our licensed and certified therapist, Walter Blick.

Craniosacral Therapy Provides Healing for a Variety of Conditions

The body requires balance for immune system and healing mechanisms to function adequately. When things become too far out of balance, disease can manifest and fatigue prevents the natural ability to heal. Craniosacral therapy can be used to provide relief from a variety of ailments, and can help to restore balance so the body can heal itself once again. Common conditions treated include:

Specialized Programs

Fertility & Preconception Support

CST can help restore tension patterns and nervous system balance that interfere with pelvic alignment, reproductive organ mobility, or stress patterns that impact fertility wellness.

What Are Menopausal Problems?

Hormonal Health & BHRT

Chronic tension and stress suppress nervous system rhythms that influence hormone regulation. CST supports relaxation pathways to aid endocrine harmony.

Gut & Digestive Health

By reducing nervous system tension and the stress response, CST supports improved gut motility and digestive comfort.

Customized Plans
Nutritional-Support

Detoxification & Environmental Medicine

Relaxed fascia and nervous balance support lymphatic flow and detox pathways.

Mental Health & Integrative Psychiatry

Craniosacral Therapy aids emotional processing, trauma release, and autonomic regulation in conjunction with psychotherapy or somatic therapies.

Stress Management

How Our Process Works – Step by Step

Step 1: Initial Evaluation

A detailed review of symptoms, history, movement patterns, and nervous system function.

Step 2: Functional Assessment

Evaluation of posture, fascia tension, craniosacral rhythm, and joint mobility.

Step 3: Personalized Plan

A customized plan combining CST with supportive therapies.

Step 4: Therapy Sessions

Typically 45–60 minute sessions focusing on gentle craniosacral work.

Step 5: Monitoring Progress

Your care is adjusted based on pain levels, mobility, sleep, and nervous system balance.

Step 6: Long-Term Resilience Plan

We help you maintain structural and nervous system health with ongoing support.

Patient Case Study

Patient: Mark T., 39, Manhattan
 Presenting Symptoms: Chronic migraines, neck stiffness, anxiety tension
 Findings: Fascial restrictions around cervical spine, increased sympathetic tone
 Treatment: Weekly CST sessions + breathwork support

 Results After 8 Weeks:
 • 60% reduction in headache frequency
 • Improved neck mobility
 • Better sleep quality
 • Lower baseline stress reactions

What Happens During a Session of Craniosacral Therapy?

A session of CST usually lasts about an hour. A client lies down on a table while the therapist uses a light palpating pressure along the scalp, the base of the skull where the head meets the spine, and the sacrum. Therapists use their hands as “ears” to listen to the body’s rhythms and to locate patterns of long-held tension, or areas where stress or trauma have been stored.

By gently responding to the body’s narrative, the therapist will not only release blocked areas, but he will also encourage regular rhythmic flow of craniosacral fluid to promote restored healing and balance.

Unlike traditional western medicine, which places emphasis on specific disorders and localized treatments, craniosacral therapy recognizes that all systems of the body work as a whole. The mind body connection is valued and practitioners work on establishing a balanced relationship between a client’s mind, body, and spirit.

Clients of all ages can benefit from this holistic therapy.

Testimonials

“Patients Medical gave me my energy back.”
– Maria S.
“After years of struggling with hormones, BHRT here changed my life.”
– Danielle K.
“Their anti-aging approach helped me lose weight, sleep better, and feel young again.”
– Jonathan T.
“Craniosacral Therapy at Patients Medical eased my migraines like nothing else. It’s gentle but deeply effective.”
– BrooklynJulia K., 45
“I feel calmer and more in my body after each session — it’s been transformational for my tension and stress.”
– ManhattanSamuel P., 52
“The therapists here are incredibly skilled. My TMJ and neck pain have improved dramatically.”
– QueensNina R., 38
“I didn’t expect such big changes from gentle touch, but my chronic pain and sleep issues have improved.”
– BronxAlicia M., 49

Frequently Asked Questions

CST is a gentle hands-on therapy that releases tension in the craniosacral system — the membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord — to support nervous system regulation and overall structural balance.

Most patients feel light touch and deep relaxation. Many describe it as calming, similar to a very gentle massage.

It varies, but many patients notice improvement within 3–6 sessions. Chronic cases may benefit from ongoing care.

Yes. CST is low-force and gentle, making it safe for adults and appropriate for many conditions when performed by trained therapists.

Yes. By releasing fascial tension and improving nervous system balance, CST can reduce pain patterns rooted in structural restrictions.

Absolutely. CST is highly complementary with physical therapy, massage, chiropractic care, and mind-body approaches.

Yes — many patients fall asleep during sessions due to deep nervous system calm.

Yes — especially tension headaches, migraines, and cervicogenic pain linked to fascial restriction.

Yes, but the touch is very gentle and guided by subtle assessment of tissue rhythm and tension.

Yes. By shifting nervous system balance toward parasympathetic (relaxation) tone, CST supports stress resilience.

Some patients notice shifts after the first session, while others see gradual improvements over time.

Yes. Releasing fascial tension around the jaw and neck often improves TMJ pain and movement.

Not usually — but your therapist will evaluate your history to ensure safe, effective care.

About 45–60 minutes.

Most patients feel relaxed and return to normal activity immediately.

Why Choose Patients Medical in NYC

  • Integrative care blending MD oversight + manual medicine
  • Deep expertise in nervous system regulation
  • Personalized, root-cause therapeutic plans
  • Collaborative clinical team
  • Comfortable, calming treatment environment
  • Focus on long-term resilience, not quick fixes

Begin Your Journey with Patients Medical

Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.

Request your consultation today!

To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you

Our medical center in New York City.

Patients Medical PC
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128

Make an Appointment

    Important Links

    Useful Links

    Useful Links

    Connect with Us

    Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest Instagram

    Copyright © 2025 Patients Medical. All Rights Reserved.

    All information presented in this website is intended for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of rendering medical advice. Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained herein is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Patients Medical.

    This website may convey general information related to medical conditions, their research, testing, and treatment, and other health care topics. Any such information is provided for informational purposes only. You should always consult with a doctor or other health care professional for medical advice or information about diagnosis and treatment.