Cranial Work

Cranial Work comes out of the deep traditions of osteopathy, polarity therapy, and structural integration. My approach to the work affects multiple layers, from the superficial fascia to the cranial sutures and deep muscles of the head and neck to deeper internal structures of the head and jaw.

Cranial Work may be received as a focused session or incorporated into Clinical Deep Tissue Pain Management Bodywork, Polarity Therapy, or Structural Integration.

Clients report greater ease, adaptability, and integration throughout the head, face, jaw, and neck, and it can help reset the nervous system. I have found it particularly helpful for those suffering from sensory issues, migraines, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Cranial Work draws from the deep traditions of Osteopathy, Polarity Therapy, and Structural Integration. You may be familiar with related approaches such as Cranial Osteopathy, CranioSacral and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. Because my work draws from several traditions rather than one specific system, I use the broader term Cranial Work.

This work addresses multiple layers of the head and neck—from the superficial fascia and muscles of the face, jaw, and neck to the periosteal tissues, cranial sutures, and deeper internal relationships of the cranium and jaw.

Cranial Work may be received as a focused session or incorporated into Clinical Deep Tissue Pain Management Bodywork, Polarity Therapy, or Structural Integration.

Clients often report a greater sense of ease, adaptability, and integration throughout the head, face, jaw, and neck. Cranial Work also supports parasympathetic regulation; this is part of the nervous system associated with rest, recovery, and restoration. This work includes specific techniques intended to engage with the vagus nerve, a major pathway within this system, softening the tissues around this nerve and helping the body settle out of prolonged fight-or-flight activation and return to a more regulated state.

I have found Cranial Work particularly valuable for clients experiencing sensory sensitivity, migraines or recurring headaches, jaw tension, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

What to wear for a cranial session

You’ll want to dress comfortably. Generally speaking, you want to wear loose comfortable clothing that you feel comfortable wearing and aren’t restrictive. However, an alternative many people find useful is workout attire such as a sports bra or tank top and yoga pants. This allows for ease with the postural assessments as well as joint movements that may accompany the work.