Common Questions About
Our Services
Craniosacral Therapy
What does a Craniosacral Therapy session look like?
A few days prior to your treatment, you will receive, and are required to fill out a brief client intake form. This forms helps your therapist prepare in advance for your session. She/he can find out a little more about you, your needs, and what you would like to receive from your session. It is important to list all health concerns and medication so the therapist can adapt the session to your specific needs without doing any harm.
During your first session your therapist will take a written case history, listening with care to the reasons for your visit. This part of the session is important, both for gathering information and to establish a good understanding with your therapist. It also helps your therapist to customize the session to meet your specific needs and helps her to meet or exceed your expectations.
Next, you will lay down on a warm, comfortable treatment table, fully clothed. Soft music and low lighting are often used to increase your state of relaxation.
Your therapist begins with a hands-on, overall assessment of the body. Gentle pressure techniques are used to feel for tension patterns or disruptive strain patterns in the body’s connective tissue, fascial system, and nervous system.
After the assessment, your therapist will begin treatment. Because the body functions as a whole, treatment may begin by focusing on areas other than where your symptoms occur; although those areas will be addressed as well. Gentle contact with the affected areas, held for a period of time, encourages and supports your body to relax and begin to make the corrections it needs. Although the work is subtle, it can be impactful in helping your muscles and organs to naturally relieve stress, and for structural areas to ease back into alignment.
During your treatment, an old memory might pop up that needs to be addressed. One could even have an emotional reaction, all positive signs of allowing what has been held within to come up and be released.
How do Craniosacral Therapy sessions work?
Can you recall a time when you felt nervous, anxious, or scared. That feeling is your nervous system being out of balance. Craniosacral Therapy can support and facilitate your nervous system to return to a state of relaxation. When your nervous system is in a calm, relaxed state, it will assist the body — the numerous bodily functions it has influence over — to self-correct and heal.
What may I experience after a session?
Each individual is unique and therefore responds differently to their therapeutic experience. Here are a few examples of what previous clients have experienced:
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Relaxed. The feeling of relaxation should not be underestimated. Relaxation is vital and key to the body’s natural ability to heal and correct! The body cannot optimally do its job when it is in a state of hyper arousal, fight, flight, or freeze mode.
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Feeling more energized and alive.
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Decrease in pain and tension.
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Enhanced ability to focus.
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Functioning from a calmer inner state.
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Improved self-awareness and quality of life.
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Improved sleep quality.
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Reduction in anxiety.
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More Present in the here and now.
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Improved healing of injured areas.
The following possible responses are actually positive signs, reflecting healthy shifts and improvements taking place in the body. These shifts and improvements can last for days after your session as your system goes through a reorganization process:
Immediate relief from a discomfort. Or, there could be a temporary increase in discomfort, even muscle soreness (usually a sign that a once-restricted area is receiving increased blood flow). The discomfort typically subsides within 24-48 hours.
Light-headed: This can be caused by increased energy flow, as areas that were once tense are released.
Giving yourself permission and space to fully experience these shifts, along with staying hydrated to flush out toxins is important to your body’s healing process. An Epsom salt bath may be helpful. If needed, please feel free to reach out to your therapist to discuss any concerns you may have.
Is Craniosacral therapy safe for everyone?
Possibly, but it’s best to err on the side of caution. Consult your physician before scheduling your treatment session if you have experienced any of the following:
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Cerebral edema
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Recent concussion
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Blood clots
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Aneurysm
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Traumatic brain injury
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Chiari malformation
How many therapeutic sessions will I need?
Each individual’s system is unique and responds differently to Craniosacral therapy. Some conditions may require one or two sessions. Others conditions may need additional treatment over a period of time, depending on underlying conditions and the length of time they have been there. Once the condition has been satisfactorily addressed, a maintenance schedule can be discussed with your therapist.
With Craniosacral therapy, one’s self awareness and ability to handle life’s challenging situations from a more relaxed state begins to grow. Being more grounded, and more relaxed can translate into the ability to handle life’s challenging situations with more grace and ease — more responsive, less reactive.
When should I not receive a treatment session?
There are a few conditions which would prevent you from scheduling a session. You should not book a session if you have a fever, cold/flu, or contagious skin infection.
There can be certain conditions where your therapist may need to adjust techniques, such as fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, avoiding areas completely if there is a cut or a burn. In some rare cases, it may be a good idea to get approval from your physician. Please consult with your therapist, if you have any doubt.
How long is a therapy session?
The session typically lasts an hour. The first few minutes are to discuss what you would like to receive from your session, followed by approximately 50 minutes on the treatment table, ending with about 5 minutes to integrate the work and to provide valuable feedback.
Is Craniosacral Therapy the same as massage?
No, although your therapist may apply massage therapy techniques, if needed. In a CST session, you remain fully clothed.
Is craniosacral therapy (CST) covered by insurance?
For the most part, CST is not covered by most insurances. An out-of-pocket payment is required prior to treatment.
How early should I arrive for my session?
It's nice to arrive at least five minutes early. This will allow you time to use the restroom, and time to get settled in and relaxed.
What do I do during a treatment?
Please make yourself as comfortable as possible. Your comfort is key to the effectiveness of the session. The more comfortable and relaxed you feel, the more this will allow for the vital flow of energy, nutrients, blood, and other fluids throughout your system. Also, it provides a precious opportunity for your nervous system to do what it knows how to do best, self-heal.
If your therapist wants you to change your position, she/he will either move you or will ask you to what is needed. Otherwise, feel free to adjust your position, to make yourself more comfortable.
Many people close their eyes and relax completely during a session; others prefer to talk. It’s up to you. It is your session, and whatever feels natural to you is the best way to relax. However, the nervous system is more relaxed when we are quiet.
Please let your therapist know immediately if you have any questions or if she can do anything to make your experience more comforting.
Can I talk during my session?
Sure, if you'd like to. The most important thing to remember is that this treatment is all about you relaxing and enjoying the experience. Many therapists discourage talking in the hope you will relax more, let your mind float freely, and ease into a state of, “Ahhhh.” In many instances, people may feel more relaxed starting off talking, and as the treatment progresses, enter into a quiet state.
It's very important that if you need to speak up, please do so. If anything at all is making you feel uncomfortable, please let your therapist know immediately so that adjustments can be made to your liking. Also, let your therapist know if you get too warm or too cold, if the room is too bright, or the touch needs to be adjusted. Remember, if something is not working for you, speak up! It's OK, and your feedback is warmly welcomed.
Am I expected to tip my therapist?
Tips are not expected, but welcomed. It is always appreciated to receive the compliment of a “thank you for good service.”
Cancellations and late arrivals:
A 24-hour cancellation notice is required, or you will be responsible for full payment of your scheduled session. If you are late for your appointment time, your treatment will be reduced in order to finish on time for the next schedule guest. The usual fee for the treatment will remain the same. Thank you for your understanding.
It is understandable that things happen that are beyond your control. Please let your therapist know what happened as soon as possible.
Waters @ Creekside, Elements of Wellness, 2900 Bristol St., Bldg J, #103, Costa Mesa CA 92626 714-794-2640 Client Intake Form
REIKI THERAPY HEALING
Sharon Gonzales CST-T, LMT, TRE, Reiki Master
So I can better prepare for you, and find out more about your needs, please fill out and return a brief Intake Form & COVID Release.
Learn More About
Reiki Therapy Healing
Reiki Therapy Healing
Reiki is an ancient energy healing technique that promotes relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety through gentle touch. Reiki is the Universal vital life force energy that flows through all living things. Practitioners access this energy and allow it to flow to your body to support healing. When your body is relaxed, your energy can flow more freely, stress levels can reduce, and immune function is enhanced, strengthening your resistance to disease.
Have Questions About Our Services?
Reiki Therapy Healing
What is Reiki?
Reiki healing is a Japanese technique used to reduce stress and promote relaxation and healing. Your therapist administers Reiki by laying hands on or off the body. It is founded on the principle that Qi, universal life energy, exists and flows through and around us. It’s the energy that animates and sustains every living thing.
How does Reiki work?
Reiki, or life energy, exists and flows through and around us. In our bodies, it concentrates through a series of channels known as meridians and energy centers known as chakras. This life energy nourishes the organs and cells of the body, supporting all vital functions. When this flow of energy is disrupted or blocked, it causes diminishment of bodily functions.
Reiki heals by flowing positive energy to adversely affected parts of the body. It raises the energy field in and around the physical body. This can strengthen and heal energy pathways, allowing Qi to flow naturally and healthily.
Is Reiki based on religion?
No. Reiki is not based on any religion. It is simply a healing technique that facilitates contact with the vital life energy around us.
Can Reiki heal my condition?
No promises can be made about the outcome of Reiki or, for that matter, any other healing system, including conventional medicine. It all depends on your intent, background, and the nature of your problem. Healing is an experience unique to the individual. A step forward in one’s healing process is sometimes realizing one’s need for healing.
All of this being said, there are countless testimonies of people praising the healing effects of Reiki. Additionally, it is totally natural and non-invasive.
How is Reiki given?
Reiki is administered with the client lying down, fully clothed, on a treatment table. If you are more comfortable sitting in a chair, that is fine too.
Your therapist gives Reiki energy using light, non-invasive touch. Your therapist will touch and hold various areas of your body — for a period of time — perhaps starting at your head and working down towards your feet.
How does Reiki feel?
Every experience is unique to that individual, but you may feel certain sensations while receiving Reiki. Some clients comment that they feel sensations like heat, tingling, pulsing, and cold, just to name a few. Others may not feel any sensations. Sensations, or their absence, simply relate to the person’s sensitivity to energy. Reiki flows regardless of whether you feel it or not.
What happens after Reiki session?
Your therapist may offer common-sense suggestions for aftercare, such as drinking water, being gentle with yourself, and following your body needs more closely.
After a Reiki session, some people share the following experiences— all positive signs of the body’s natural, cleansing process:
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Feeling refreshed.
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Feeling relaxed.
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Light-headed: This can be caused by increased energy flow, as areas that were once tense are released.
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A little more tired than usual in the evening.
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Experience a sense of calm, and/or mental clarity
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Improved sleep.
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Immediate relief from discomfort. Or, there could be a temporary increase in discomfort, even muscle soreness (usually a sign that a once-restricted area is receiving increased blood flow). However, the discomfort typically subsides within 24-48 hours.
How many Reiki sessions will I need?
One session alone can bring noticeable improvement.
Reiki is cumulative, so receiving a series of sessions can be beneficial to get more lasting results. Typically, clients come weekly for one month and then begin to space out sessions to bi-weekly and then monthly. Of course, we can always discuss and personalize a treatment plan for you.
Can I stop seeing my doctor or stop taking medication after the session?
No. Reiki works in conjunction with regular medical or psychological treatment. If you have a medical or psychological condition, it is recommended that you see a licensed healthcare professional in addition to receiving Reiki treatment.
Reiki works in harmony with all other forms of healing. Many people have found that meditation can enhance the benefits they receive from receiving Reiki.
