What is CranioSacral Therapy?

Few structures have as much influence over your body’s ability to function properly as the brain and spinal cord that make up the central nervous system. And, the central nervous system is heavily influenced by the craniosacral system – the membranes and fluid that surround, protect and nourish the brain and spinal cord.

Every day your body endures stresses and strains that it must work to compensate for. Unfortunately, these changes often cause body tissues to tighten and distort the craniosacral system. These distortions can then cause tension to form around the brain and spinal cord resulting in restrictions. This can create a barrier to the healthy performance of the central nervous system, and potentially every other system it interacts with.

Fortunately, such restrictions can be detected and corrected using simple methods of touch. With a light touch, Dr. Khalsa uses her hands to evaluate the craniosacral system by gently feeling various locations of the body to test for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid pulsing around the brain and spinal cord. Soft-touch techniques are then used to release restrictions in any tissues influencing your craniosacral system.

By normalizing the environment around your brain and spinal cord and enhancing the body’s ability to self-correct, CranioSacral Therapy is able to alleviate a wide variety of dysfunctions, from chronic pain and sports injuries to stroke and neurological impairment.

CST is known for its potential to address a variety of conditions including:

• Migraines and Headaches
• Chronic Neck and Back Pain
• Stress and Tension-Related Disorders
• Motor-Coordination Impairments
• Infant and Childhood Disorders
• Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
• Chronic Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• TMJ Syndrome
• Scoliosis
• Central Nervous System Disorders
• Learning Disabilities
• ADD/ADHD
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Orthopedic Problems
• And Many Other Conditions

Children, including infants, can benefit from CST as it aims to address issues from a foundational level. Dr. Arjan creates a comfortable environment for children during the session, adapting to their needs whether they are feeding, sleeping, or seated with a parent. The gentle touch used in CST is safe and often soothing for children, helping to address various symptoms in a non-invasive manner.

Craniosacral Therapy (or ‘CST’) looks pretty much like it does for adults, except it may look like Dr. Arjan is playing the game ‘Twister’ while she works with babies and young children. 🙂

She sits on the floor, walks with babies, or sits beside a parent; whatever is most comfortable for the child.

Whether your child is feeding, asleep in the car seat, squiggling on the adjusting table, or in your lap, she can get the work done to help alleviate the signs and symptoms that you’ve come in for treatment.

Nothing that Dr. Arjan does would be considered painful or harmful to your child. If you place your finger on your closed eyelid, that is the amount of pressure she will be using with your child. Most babies aren’t even aware that there is work being done

CranioSacral Therapy is considered to be a safe treatment. However, it may not be recommended for individuals with certain severe medical conditions such as acute aneurysms or cerebral hemorrhage. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment.

Response to CST varies from individual to individual and condition to condition. Your response is uniquely your own and can’t be compared to anyone else’s — even those cases that may appear to be similar to your own. The number of sessions needed varies widely — from just one up to three or more a week over the course of several weeks.

t was in 1970, during a neck surgery in which he was assisting, that osteopathic physician John E. Upledger first observed the rhythmic movement of what would soon be identified as the craniosacral system. None of his colleagues nor any of the medical texts at the time could explain this discovery, however.

His curiosity piqued, Dr. Upledger began searching for the answer. He started with the research of Dr. William Sutherland, the father of cranial osteopathy. For some 20 years beginning in the early 1900s, Sutherland had explored the concept that the bones of the skull were structured to allow for movement. For decades after, this theory remained at odds with the beliefs of the scientific and medical communities. Dr. Upledger believed, however, that if Sutherland’s theory of cranial movement was in fact true, this would help explain, and make feasible, the existence of the rhythm he had encountered in surgery.

It was at this point that Dr. Upledger set out to scientifically confirm the existence of cranial bone motion. From 1975 to 1983 he served as clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics at Michigan State University, where he supervised a team of anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists and bioengineers in research and testing. The results not only confirmed Sutherland’s theory, but led to clarification of the mechanisms behind this motion — the craniosacral system. Dr. Upledger’s continued work in the field ultimately resulted in his development of CranioSacral Therapy.

There’s no special preparation required for a CST session. Simply wear comfortable clothing and be ready to relax and communicate with your practitioner about any sensations or feelings you experience during the session.

Dr. Khalsa spends an hour with every patient on their first visit. In this first visit, she will get to know you and your history so that she can best understand and determine where the root of your current health issues have come from. This is followed by Orthopedic and Neurological exams to determine if your health issues are something that she’s able to help you with. If she feels that she can help you, she will treat you on the first visit. 

Depending on the severity of your symptoms and how long you’ve been experiencing them, she will discuss a treatment plan with you. 

Dr. Khalsa tries to get you better as soon as possible so that you can get back to the life that you love. Sometimes this is 1-2 visits, and sometimes it takes months to achieve this goal. 

You can expect anywhere from 2-6 visits upfront. She has packages available for you to save 15-20%, if you pay upfront for 5 or 12 visits upfront.

Because you’re unique with your own set of health concerns, a standard course of care will be developed. Some people make their health top priority and want to make their treatments as often as possible, until the acute pain is relieved. This varies from person to person. If you’re in severe pain, it may be beneficial to come in multiple times during a week or two.

After Dr. Khalsa assesses your situation, she will give you her opinion as to how often she feels is the most beneficial for you to get better fast.

Sometimes one visit is all it takes, and sometimes it takes weeks or months of work. Every person is different, with their own set of life circumstances that may speed up or delay the healing process. 

The length of your treatment depends on many factors, including: your age, the amount and severity of injuries you’ve incurred in your life, the levels of mental/emotional stress and the severity of your symptoms.

Each person is unique. Some people start noticing changes immediately during and after the treatment session. For others, they notice within a few minutes or a few hours. For some, they notice changes the next day and some may not notice changes for 3-4 sessions.

It takes time for your body to undo the malfunctions and that may take some work.

Our society has been trained to believe that taking a pill will solve the issue immediately because the pain is relieved. This may not be the case when you’re seeking alternative and holistic solutions. Healing takes time and to expect immediate relief isn’t always realistic. While Dr. Khalsa expects miracles, she also knows that it can take days, weeks, or months to fully recover.

Dr. Khalsa provides care that goes beyond what insurance will cover. Her approach to your care is about fostering a direct, unencumbered healing relationship with you. She believes in providing care that is thorough and personalized; this is why she dedicates 30 to 60 minutes per appointment, far exceeding the typical 5-10 minutes allocated for standard chiropractic adjustments. This time allows for a deeper understanding of your health issues and more effective treatment.

In her practice, Dr. Khalsa focuses on long-term health solutions rather than quick fixes, empowering you to take an active role in your health journey. Each session with her is an opportunity to explore a blend of treatments and holistic lifestyle changes, including gentle chiropractic care and CranioSacral Therapy, all tailored to your individual needs.

By choosing not to participate with insurance, Dr. Khalsa removes the barriers that often dictate the scope of your care, ensuring that the treatment plan is aligned with your health goals and not limited by insurance coverage. This decision is rooted in her commitment to deliver the highest standard of care and to support you in achieving lasting wellness.

Dr Khalsa is able to work with people who have been involved in injuries. And the sooner you come in for care, the better. 

If you have insurance coverage through your auto insurance, or ‘Medpay’ the insurance company will pay Dr. Khalsa directly. If you have an attorney, Dr. Khalsa will contact him or her directly to see if she is able to work with them. 

You also have the option of paying for your treatment at the time of service and she will provide you with a superbill that you can submit for reimbursement with your insurance company.

However, many people find relief through her work from: Headaches, neck,shoulder, upper, mid and lower back pain, anxiety, sports injuries, falls, wrist pain, joint pain, sinus issues.