For many years I worked in the birth space as a childbirth educator – however over time I found much of my work beginning to naturally move away from education and towards nervous system support.
The majority of my clients were coming following severe birth trauma, pregnancy loss or years of complex infertility. I quickly realised my skills in birth education were not enough – while I used hypnosis to work with the subconscious – it became abundantly clear that I needed to be working with the body.
This realisation led me into bodywork, first through massage, and then into Craniosacral Therapy – a subtle yet powerful modality that I wish more people knew about. Craniosacral Therapy works directly with the nervous system, supporting the body to unwind patterns of chronic stress and trauma leading to feelings of deep rest, renewal and balance.
What To Expect in a Session
CST is a hands-on modality, the practitioner uses soft touch, placing their hands on very specific areas related to the central nervous system including the head, neck, back and sacrum. It also works with stress pathways through the arms and legs, adrenals and cranial nerves including the vagus nerve. As it is gentle and non-invasive it is a beautiful trauma-informed therapy for people who are facing chronic stress, burnout or feel ‘nothing else has worked’.
A typical session lasts 60 minutes in a quiet room with gentle music. You’ll stay fully clothed, lying on a treatment table with blankets or cushions for support.
The practitioner uses light touch to feel the rhythm of your craniosacral system and help the body release tension. Sessions are deeply relaxing, and many people feel calmer, lighter, or more aligned afterward. Some feel immediate effects, while others notice shifts over the following days.
What You Might Experience
During a session, you may notice:
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A sense of deep relaxation or stillness
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Muscle twitching or gentle body movements
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Warmth, tingling, or pulsing sensations
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Emotional release
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Flashes of memories or subconscious experiences
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A feeling of floating or spaciousness
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Pain or tension easing
Every session will be different – depending on what the body is needing on the day.
How to Get the Most from Your Session
Three sessions are normally suggested – the nervous system often works like an onion. During a session – two nervous systems are in the room – yours and the practitioner. As you become more familiar with your practitioner and the practice you will be able to relax more, go deeper, surrender and let go of what your nervous system may be holding.Try to stay present and relaxed. The practitioner may stay in one area longer if there’s a blockage or tension. Ensure that you have plenty of water after your session to aid detox and release. Give yourself some quiet time after your session to process and rest. In some cases, you may feel some symptoms such as nausea or headaches – this will pass within a few hours so continue to drink water.
Who Can Benefit?
CST is safe and effective and is often used as a complementary therapy to support:
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Headaches and migraines
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Chronic pain
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Depression
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IBS and Gastrointestinal issues
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Hormonal Issues including PCOS, Endometriosis, hysterectomy
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Fibromyalgia
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ADHD
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Tinnitus
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High Blood pressure and cholesterol
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Arthritis
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Dizziness, vision changes, swallowing problems
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Neck, shoulder or back pain
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Stress and anxiety
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Sleep issues
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TMJ dysfunction
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Recovery from surgery
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Trauma and emotional release
To book in a session with Natalie Andrew go via the massage booking page at nbip.com.au
