4 Ways Craniosacral and Massage Therapy Are Different

Are you curious about the differences between craniosacral and massage therapy?

If so, then you are in the right place!

Keep reading to learn more about both and see which one is right for you.

Let’s get started!

1. What are Craniosacral and Massage Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy is a light touch application that connects with the rhythms of the nervous system, surrounding connective tissues and structures. The goal is to empower and facilitate the body’s natural healing ability.

Massage Therapy is a manual therapy working with the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissues and joints) to achieve optimal health and wellness.

2. What to expect

For a craniosacral therapy session, a therapist using no more than a dime of pressure to listen to the body’s various rhythms and tissue connections. Resulting in unwinding of the body and pain alleviation to maintain optimal health and wellness. The client can stay comfortable clothed during a session.

A Massage therapy session consists of the client getting undressed to their comfort level while covered. The therapist applies pressure to various areas of the body according to the body’s needs to release tension or restrictions.

3. How are Craniosacral and Massage Therapy Taught?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a specialisation that requires therapists to have existing training in the medical field upon certification. Certification includes all attendance of the CST classes, hours of clinical experience, and a variety of examinations to ensure the practitioner has the knowledge and palpation skills to practice.

Massage therapy is a regulated profession in Ontario in which therapists must meet the minimum standard set by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) to practice. Upon completing their education through a massage therapy program, they are then eligible to take the licensing examination and can begin their practice when successful and gain the title of Registered Massage Therapist (RMT).

4. What conditions can they help with?

Both therapies aid a variety of conditions, from chronic pain to acute conditions, helping children and the elderly.

Here are some examples, to name a few:

• Anxiety and stress management
  Digestive issues
  Headaches and migraines
  Concussions and motor vehicle accidents
  TMJ dysfunction (jaw) and inner ear issues
  Muscle tension
  Neurological dysfunction
  High-performance athletes

Now it’s your turn!

Which therapy do you think will suit you better? I would love to hear from you!

All therapists work uniquely, and many even combine different therapies together, such as craniosacral and massage therapy, so you can try them together.