Craniosacral Therapy in Central Oregon
In my practice as a Craniosacral therapist in Bend, Oregon, I make it my focus to help clients by educating them so they may gain insight into their own body processes. When appropriate, I’ll weave in an energetic conversation to explain how it affects the physical. With an understanding of how the body functions, and how it self corrects, one can better facilitate their own healing process.
I have been doing this healing work since 1998 and am quite skilled at recognizing imbalances in the body. I am also very good at determining if the work is a good fit for you. I can see if the appropriate change is happening usually in the first session, more assuredly in the second. Clients will also have a sense of something changing as well. For some, the changes are subtle. Depending on how you are wired will determine your experience. I also offer Ortho-Bionomy.
Call or come in for a free consult to see if the work is right for you.
I look forward to serving the Central Oregon communities including Bend and Sisters, Oregon.
—Elizabeth Mixon, Ortho-Bionomy® Practitioner and Craniosacral therapist.
:: BCBS Provider Pacific Source
Craniosacral Therapy Rates
- $50 for 30 min
- $100-130 for 60 min
- $130-160 for 90 min
- Sliding Scale: To allow flexibility for life’s challenges
Note: Children’s reflexes are faster, therefore their session usually only requires 30 min.
I do bill insurance if you have been in an auto accident in the state of Oregon, and I am able to bill most health insurances upon approval. If you would like to have your insurance billed for your session, prior authorization is required.
What is Craniosacral Therapy (CST)?
Craniosacral work (also called craniosacral therapy) is an evolution out of Cranial Osteopathy, a specialization of the osteopathic profession that was introduced to the world in the 1930s by an American osteopath and visionary called William Garner Sutherland.
Craniosacral work has traditionally focused on the 22 bones that make up the human head, the vertebra and sacrum, and also on the brain, the central nervous system, the cerebrospinal fluid and the system of membranes inside the cranium and spinal column.
It combines sensitive hands-on bodywork with the meditative use of inner vision and dialogue. Techniques are drawn principally from the school of Osteopathy honoring both the analytic understanding of how things happen and the intuitive perception of how things really are. This synthesis touches the soul and allows healing to occur.
Craniosacral therapy sees the body structures not simply as muscles and bones, but as aspects of consciousness. The structures dialogue with each other through the ebb and flow of the intelligence of the cranial wave. The work is useful in alleviating painful or restricted conditions anywhere in the body.
Brief History of Cranial Sacral
Cranial sacral (craniosacral) work comes out of osteopathy. Osteopathy comes out of bone setting, and bone setting was practiced in Neanderthal times, 130,000 years ago, and probably much longer ago. The historical record of the origins of what is now called “cranial sacral work” begins in the 19th century with Andrew Taylor Still, who coined the term “Osteopathy.”
Still called his practice Osteopathy, from osteon, or bone, and pathine, suffering. Still founded the American School of Osteopathy in 1891. Later he writes, “If he is wise in Anatomy and Physiology, he (the osteopath) will at a glance detect any abnormality in form, and can easily prove the cause of any failure in perfect functioning….He knows how to adjust every bone and muscle in his patient’s body.” In 1899 William Sutherland was studying in the first osteopathic school to be set up in the USA.
Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy Treatment
People often ask me if Craniosacral Therapy will help resolve their personal issue in their body. Because this work addresses the self corrective mechanisms inherent in every body, it holds the possibility to correct any structural alignment issue. What determines success is contingent on many factors, but I will say that people who do exceptionally well with this therapy often have a trauma-related incident/accident, and don’t tolerate or do well with more direct therapies- such as deep tissue massage or a chiropractic adjustment that won’t hold. The respectful and gentle way this work addresses pain and injury through the nervous system allows the body to heal in a quick and calming fashion.
Below are some of the most common issues people come in for Craniosacral Therapy treatment.
- Auto/Work/Sports Injuries
- Back and Disc Problems
- Headaches/Migraines
- Neck and Shoulder Pain
- Digestion or Intestinal Upset
- Pregnancy Issues
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
- Lymphatic drainage
- Feet: Bunions, Plantar Fasciitis, Heel/Bone Spurs, Hammer Toe, Achilles Tear/Sprain, Fallen Arches
- Fibromyalgia
- Scoliosis
- Visceral Work (Abdomen: stomach, digestion, acid reflux, adrenal & kidney support, general organ support/function)
- Post Dental Work
- Jaw pain/ TMJ
A Typical Session with a Craniosacral Therapist
There is no undressing for an Craniosacral Therapy session. The changes come from deep within the body systems and ripple out adjustments to the external tissue and bone, so undressing is not necessary.
People tend to get very quiet due to the nature of the way the work addresses the nervous system. It is not uncommon to fall asleep. I tend to be very focused when I work as I am listening to the layers of fascia, bone tissue, fluids and energy. I am evaluating what the body wants to do next, and am encouraging it along the way.
Most people get very relaxed during a session and there is a tendency to fall asleep while the body is resetting. I will often ask the person to stand up to walk about half way through to see how things have changed and what feels different during gravity and movement. I do like to work about 90 minutes if your body as some challenges and complexity.
BioMat™ Therapy
The BioMat delivers the highest vibrational resonance deeply into all body tissues. The combination of far infrared light, negative ions and amethyst quartz opens the channels for intelligent cellular communication leading to DNA repair and total body wellness. Lie on the warming BioMat™ during your craniosacral session and feel it soothe and relax you.
From her centrally located office in Bend, Oregon Elizabeth Mixon serves the Central Oregon communities Bend, Redmond, Terrebonne, Sunriver, Black Butte Ranch, Prineville, La Pine and Sisters. Also by appointment may travel throughout Oregon including Portland, Milwaukie, Lake Oswego and Beaverton, Oregon.