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
TENSION/TRAUMA
RELEASING EXERCISES (TRE)
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
Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE)
Tension/Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE)
CranioSacral Therapy (CST), is a gentle, hands-on treatment helpful in releasing stored tension and stress. CST was developed by an Osteopath. Gentle touch invites and encourages tension to release, putting your body at ease. Besides treating the overall body, there is a focus on releasing tension at the head, spine, and tail bone, the structures surrounding and supporting our nervous system.
Have Questions About Our Services?
Tension/Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE)
All of the information listed below is from the www.traumaprevention.com website. If you would like to watch a full video, featuring the founder of TRE, Dr. David Berceli, PhD, please watch on U-Tube:
TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises): Full Instructions with Dr. David Berceli (OFFICIAL)
What are Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises?
Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (or TRE®) is a simple yet innovative series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension, and trauma. Created by Dr. David Berceli, PhD, TRE safely activates a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system. When this muscular shaking/vibrating mechanism is activated in a safe and controlled environment, the body is encouraged to return to a state of balance.
What does Self-Regulation mean in TRE?
Self-regulation is the ability to tolerate and control one’s emotions, thoughts, feelings, and sensations independently of external supervision or regulation.
Self-regulatory collapse is when the individual cannot control their own overwhelming emotions, thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
TRE Self-Regulation Guidelines:
These exercises should be done only if they are pleasurable and you feel safe and grounded in the process. If you begin to experience physical pain, adjust your position and/or modify the speed or intensity to relieve the pain. If no adjustment and/or modification can be found, stop the process, sit up and get a glass of water.
If you feel emotionally overwhelmed and/or uncomfortable, slow down or stop the TRE process until you feel safe and grounded again. Again, sit up and get a glass of water.
If you are doing TRE for the first time, TRE for All, Inc. recommends you only tremor for a maximum of 15 minutes and only do TRE 3 or 4 times a week.
Once you have learned the skills of “self-regulation” and have been doing TRE for a few weeks, you can lengthen your tremor time and/or increase your frequency at your discretion.
Are there any special conditions or directives about doing TRE alone?
TRE is a safe and effective stress release technique for most people. Although the exercises appear simple and easy to learn, the most profound value of learning TRE is with a Certified TRE Provider. Though many people report immediate benefits from a single session of TRE, it is recommended that TRE be used as a consistent practice on an as-needed basis, either alone or in groups, to sustain its benefits over time.
It is imperative that persons with any clinical diagnoses or psychiatric conditions, or persons taking medications for any diagnoses or conditions, consult their medical professional or a Certified TRE Provider* to ensure they learn TRE self-regulation appropriately and correctly. It is your responsibility to match your needs with the skills of your Certified TRE® Provider. You can contact a Certified TRE Provider if you have questions or feel anxious, confused, and/or concerned. www.traumaprevention.com
Certified TRE Providers have a wide range of professional expertise, skills, and experiences. It is your responsibility to research the qualifications of the person you contact to ensure they have the knowledge, skills & experience you need for your particular situation. Each provider is independent of TRE for All, Inc., and it is their responsibility to work within their scope of practice and licensure.
Why does TRE® make people feel better?
The exercises activate a shaking mechanism, which causes the muscles to relax. Relaxing tense muscle patterns can often reduce stress in the spine, neck, shoulders, and pelvis. When tension is released anywhere in the body, the brain registers a reduction in pain signals, producing new hormones that promotes healing.
Why is TRE® a revolutionary tool for everyday stress, anxiety, or trauma?
These unique yet simple exercises activate an involuntary shaking in the muscles. Therefore, an individual does not use the conscious control of their body or brain that most relaxation techniques rely upon. Instead, TRE taps the brain’s unconscious part so one can even watch TV or listen to music and allow the shaking to do all the work.
How do people benefit from periodic TRE® practice, stress management and popular relaxation techniques?
Stress, anxiety, and trauma are common events in people’s lives. We often experience stress on a daily level, either at home or at work. The body constantly responds to elevated stress levels by contracting the muscles to “get through the problem.” However, we seldom recognize these contractions until we experience pain, discomfort or illness. By practicing preventative techniques like TRE, we can prevent stress and tension levels from elevating to the point of chronic illness.
Why does TRE® seem to improve sleep and build resilience?
The body intuitively knows how and when to put itself to sleep. Difficulty sleeping is simply a symptom that something is out of balance with the body. Sleeplessness often signals that stress, anxiety, and tension are causing the “sleep mechanism” to not activate properly.
Deep muscular relaxation, which TRE elicits, induces the body to activate the rest/digest, relaxation response of the parasympathetic nervous system that allows the body to relax and self-correct. Resiliency can be attained when the individual can work, respond to stress, play, and rest. If deep adequate rest, and the relaxation response, is not a part of the individual’s daily life, resiliency is compromised.
Integrating TRE® into Work and other Health Modalities
How is it used as a therapeutic tool to reduce anxiety, anger, stress, tension and post trauma symptoms?
It can be used as a therapeutic tool because these symptoms can be difficult to manage at times. They might seem overwhelming. Using this tool in a therapeutic context allows the therapist to use the body as part of the stress-reduction process without needing to have advanced degrees in body psychotherapy.
Why can periodic TRE® help reduce workplace conflict and facilitate cooperation?
Conflict is caused by stress and tension, whether at work or home. People who are calm and relaxed do not experience much conflict. However, remaining in a place of calmness and relaxation is difficult because daily life challenges our relaxed state. Periodic TRE continually reduces the levels of daily stress and anxiety in the body, giving the person access to a more relaxed state of mind. The combination of a relaxed body and relaxed mind can lead to a reduction of conflict in all areas of one’s life.
How does TRE® complement yoga, meditation, exercise workouts, and spiritual practices?
Exercise, workouts, and yoga often reduce muscle tension and help increase strength and flexibility. However, many tension patterns and contractions are deep inside the body, often without our conscious awareness. TRE uncovers these less conscious but obvious tension patterns. The contractions release tension at this deeper level. When this occurs, the body takes on greater flexibility and resilience. This increased awareness of a ‘deeper sense of self’ often extends itself into the realm of the ‘spiritual’ to which many people aspire. Once there is a deeper felt sense of oneself, there is a natural deeper sense of connection to others and the ‘universe’ or the ‘spiritual’.
More Details for those Ready to Learn TRE®
What is the best way to learn TRE®?
Many people can learn TRE by reading books and/or watching the DVD. However, some may benefit better if guided through the exercises by a Certified TRE Practitioner. One might have an immediate result from the exercises and others might not experience the results until after practicing the exercises a few times. Because the TRE process can be intense and somewhat overwhelming, those who find TRE to be challenging might want to be guided through the exercises by a Certified TRE Practitioner or attend a workshop. Check out the website for Certified Practitioners in your area, for scheduled workshops or for practitioners who can work with you online.
Why might a TRE® facilitator or online coach be beneficial?
If people believe they have deep traumas that have strong emotional components, they might find it safer and easier to have a private session with a Certified TRE Practitioner who can guide them safely through the exercises and teach them how to self-regulate any emotions that might surface.
How much time is needed to do TRE®?
TRE, like any other new method, might require some time to get used to. Although the exercises are designed to be easy and simple to follow, for some, it can be like riding a bike, jumping rope or learning to ski — it might take a little practice. Once the exercises are learned and the shaking is activated a few times, the process will move much faster. We suggest that 15 minutes of the shaking/tremor release will be enough for one session. Although some have such a positive experience in this release process that they extend this time for much longer. Over time some TRE uses have found that they do not need to do the full exercise process and find they are able to activate the release without the full routine.
Can I use TRE® to release stress/tension while watching TV, or as part of another exercise routine?
Yes, in fact for many people allowing the mind to be distracted by another activity allows the body to release tension without any ego/mind/thought interference in the process. For others the process of focusing on the body can be helpful and healing. This is a personal decision based on individual preference.
How often should I practice TRE®?
Once you have learned the TRE process and you are comfortable with the process you can do TRE every day if you like. We recommend that you do TRE at least two times per week. However, even occasional use of TRE will be beneficial to reducing deeply held muscular tension.
What does strong or gentle shaking mean?
If the shaking is strong it is an indicator that the large muscles in the body are breaking up ‘iceberg-like’ tension in the muscles. These tension blockages create strong shaking until they break up and the energy can flow more easily. Finer movements are equally important in reworking our tension holding patterns. Beware of making judgments about the intensity of your shaking and what this all means.
This process will ebb and flow with varying intensity, and you need to trust that the body is doing exactly what it needs to to release held tension.
Do these exercises cause emotions to surface?
Because these exercises relax tightly held muscles, buried emotions can surface for some people during deep muscular relaxation. Others report no particular emotional feelings and just experience a physical shaking that leads to reduced stress. Both situations are perfect. Each session is unique. The body simply does what it needs to do. The goal is to allow this process to emerge naturally.
If you experience emotional feelings while doing TRE, please be very respectful of the process. If you begin to feel vulnerable, sensitive, overwhelmed or scared and want to stop the exercises, simply straighten your legs and lock out your knees. Stay in this position for a few minutes. Or, you may want to curl up in a ball, walk around, or eat something. The point is to do what is needed to get comfortable again or come back to your present reality, we call this “grounding.” Take your time. In practicing TRE it is very important to learn “self-regulation” where you shake/tremor from a place of safety and can come in and out of the TRE process. A few find they want or need a TRE Practitioner to assist them in learning self-regulating skills. Others may find it helpful to enlist friends, family, and/or therapist in this process.