Thaedra Frangos

What is biodynamic craniosacral therapy? 

What we feel, heals. Let's be present with our whole selves.

Where awareness flows, change and freedom emerges. 

Biodynamic craniosacral therapy is a profound and gentle touch therapy working with the whole person. Thaedra works like the Ombudsman for the body, mind and spirit - facilitating the resolution of concerns. Craniosacral therapy has its origins in First Nations healing, osteopathy and therapeutic embodied/somatic mindfulness practices. Read more about the origins here. Your therapist is trauma aware, trained in anatomy and in working with the nervous system.

Biodynamic craniosacral therapy is therapeutic for a broad range of conditions and symptoms and has numerous benefits including improved energy and wellbeing. Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy can be effective in reducing clients’ experience of pain and tension in the body regardless of the cause or diagnosis.

What is happening during the session? The session involves the experience of being supported to be mindfully present in your body, safely with whatever is arising. In your session, you are supported by the gentle hands on contact of your skilled, impartial therapist and you will be guided in this. 

You do not need to come in calm or to try and relax, stretch out or realign during the session. Rather, the therapy supports your body and spirit (being the bones, muscles, tissues, nerves, fluids and spaces, emotions and experiences) to reorganize and find its own alignment, balance, equilibrium and homeostasis. Similar to a scratch healing, our body has its own methods that work effectively to ensure our wellbeing without us needing to figure out how to fix things which often leads to more issues and overthinking.

When we meet ourselves in the present moment, feel what is actually going on, bring our awareness to places within the landscape of our being that we have objectified in thought and analysis (eg. I have a bad hip. That arm is always sore. One of my legs is shorter than the other. My back is crooked. I will always have headaches. My pain is because...) and we are able to be with the actual experience of those places and feel and describe them in a sensory way in the present moment, we notice that the sensations of these places change.

In fact our sensations are always changing and our brains can be trained out of objectifying ourselves and into being present with whatever is arising. This is often surprising, for example, something that is initially described as feeling painful (perhaps hard, cold, absent etc) can transform to a place that feels comfortable and free.

We cannot see our own blindspots and when we have concerns that are ongoing, or overwhelming, we need support - an additional, skilled, impartial, safe, supportive presence for healing and alleviation of symptoms.

Want to feel this for yourself? Book here. 

What do I wear? You will be lying fully clothed on a massage table, in some cases you will be side-lying or seated – your comfort is paramount. If you are pregnant, extra supports are provided so you are comfortable. 

What if I am not comfortable during the session? Your feedback, consent and safety is paramount and feedback is always welcomed, please let your therapist know at any stage during the session if you are not comfortable or having any questions or feedback. 

What can I expect after a session? It is recommended that you take some time after your session to rest and to hydrate and support the body and your brain to realign. You may find that you feel some irritability, emotions arising, some tiredness or increased energy, this is simply the body and your psyche processing and it is suggested to take a gentle stroll or a bath and to have a rest. The therapy is continuing around 48 hours after the session. If you feel spacey or overwhelmed, please advise your therapist and you are welcome to provide feedback or ask questions at any point in the session or following. If we are able to allow our feelings to flow, tension and stress will release, healing will occur and we will come into a state of greater health and wellbeing. If we stop the flow of our natural emotions and experiences by analysing them, ignoring them, or not allowing ourselves to rest, or feel them, the stress and tension will return.  Tears are a natural healing balm and body medicine, allow them to run down your face and be like a waterfall or the rains, cleansing the spirit. 

How many sessions do I need? For most clients, initially you will need a minimum of 4 consecutive weekly or fortnightly sessions. For long term or acute situations, a series of 6-12 sessions is recommended at regular (weekly or fortnightly) intervals. In babies and children who respond quite quickly, they may only need a couple of sessions to resolve the concern. We will discuss what is needed after the initial session and reassess with each session. 

Therapeutic healing and maintenance

These sessions are therapeutic and not designed for one off treatments or quick fixes. Just like you will regularly update your computer and software, service your car, clean your home, brush your teeth, we are supporting your body, mind and spirit to clear out anything that is not needed and make space for greater health and wellbeing. See this video for more on looking after our minds, body and spirit.

Regular maintenance sessions are recommended to support your health and as a regular check in and support. Once a month is usually a great support for your optimal health and wellbeing. 

Can I do other therapies and exercise with biodynamic craniosacral therapy? If you are receiving body work such as osteopathy, including cranial osteopathy, chiropractic, bowen or any manipulative therapy, it is recommended that you pace those sessions at least 48 hours before or after your craniosacral healing session.

Gentle massage and acupuncture is ok within a shorter time frame. Gentle movement or exercise that you do regularly only is suggested in the first 24 hours of your treatment to allow the treatment to unfold. While your body is realigning it may be more vulnerable to strain. 

What if I am taking medication? Please advise your therapist if you are taking medication and supplements – they may impact your experience of the treatment and how your body responds during and after treatment. For example, pain relief may impact on how much you can feel during a session although it will generally not impact the ultimate effectiveness of the session. 

Are there contraindications? There are very few contraindications for biodynamic craniosacral therapy as it is working with you and your body in a very gentle way. However, biodynamic craniosacral therapy and First Nations healing does increase your awareness of your body, mind and spirit including emotional and physical sensations and invoke changes on an holistic level so it is really important to allow yourself time and space for changes to occur and integrate. If you are unsure, please contact us to chat about any concerns. Always notify your practitioner of any health conditions you are experiencing.