Doro Raht | Praxis für Craniosacral Therapie

Craniosacral Therapy

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy (from cranium = skull, sacrum = sacral bone) is a gentle manual form of bodywork. It encourages relaxation and helps the body's natural capacity for self healing. The sense of self is promoted, which often sustainably helps avoiding damaging movements or influences.

Craniosacral Therapy is a holistic form of bodywork that has proven itself for treating various symptoms or illnesses. It is applied against back pains, TMJ syndrome, chronic pain, digestive disorders and psychosomatic disorders but also accompanying personal development processes and supporting health in general. The focus does not lie on the symptom or the illness but on the potential for health and well-being – and this potential is being fostered by Craniosacral therapy.

How does Craniosacral Therapy work?

The Liquor and its Rhythm

The Craniosacral system lies between cranium and sacrum. “Liquor Cerebrospinalis” is the fluid that flows around the linings of the brain and spinal cord and protects and nourishes them. This liquid moves up and down in pulses and forms the Craniosacral rhythm – this rhythm can be felt on the whole body. Imbalances of the Craniosacral rhythm point to blockages and are treated by gentle touch. Throughout an extensive and thorough training I learned to perceive and treat these subtle movements and processes.

Different Layers of Treatment: Bones, Fascias and Inner Organs

In order to explain how Craniosacral Therapy works, one needs to take a look on the structures that are treated: besides the fluid level with the liquor there are other structures of the body that can be treated. Depending on the indication I might for example focus on the bone structures and help the body correcting imbalances through creating more space though using subtle treatment techniques.

The facias, too, are a very important aspect during the Cranio treatments. Since a couple of years research in universities all over the world are showing their immense importance for the body, its health and their role in diseases and healing. The whole body and all its structures (organs, muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments) are finely woven through by a net of this collagenous fibres. Facias give the body shape, flexibility and stability and connect extensive parts of the body. This also explains why a lot of symptoms are originating somewhere else than where the pain is felt, for example lower back pains which originate from malpositioning of the neck. Through the long and subtle touch during Cranio treatments the facias have time to release agglutinations, reorganise and cure pain in a very gentle way.

Like in Osteopathy, there are visceral techniques in Cranio, too. Hereby, soft techniques support and stimulate the functions of inner organs in a gentle way.

Stillness and Deep Relaxation: Effects on the Vegetative Nervous System

Profound relaxation is a very important aspect of Craniosacral Therapy. A deep silence evolves during the treatments that creates space for healing. The reason for this lies in the nervous system: during Craniosacral Treatments the parasympathetic nervous system is at work, which is in charge of recreation, sleep and regeneration. Its counterpart – the sympathetic nerve makes us physically and mentally reactive, for example to prepare us for an important presentation, a sporting contest – or in former times in case of a saber-toothed attac (“fight or flight”). The balance of these two parts of the nervous system is important for a healthy life. During permanent stress the sympathetic nerve is working all the time and the parasympathetic nerve is blocked – the body does not have the possibility to regenerate, relax, the digestion cannot work properly, the blood pressure is constantly too high, the muscles are tense and so on.

Many people nowadays have difficulties to relax, which hinders regeneration and healing and can represent itself in form of migraine, irritable bowl syndrome, chronic unspecific back pains, tinnitus or nightly teeth grinding.

The deep stillness and relaxation during Craniosacral Treatments are health-promoting, improve your sense of self and help becoming more present in your own body. Often people feel euphoric and vitalised after Cranio treatments, as if they had filled up energy. Others are tired and are looking forward to more resting at home as they have found the necessary peace for it, which is hard once they are on a high stress level.

Treatment

What a Craniosacral Therapy Session looks like

In the beginning of the first treatment, I will ask you about your medical history and current symptoms/reason for the Cranio session.

I recommand wearing comfortable clothing and (warm) socks for a Cranio session. During the treatment you are lying fully clothed on your back on a massage table. Typically, I will start the sessions at the feet and continue towards the head depending on where the body needs attention. The touch is very gentle and the techniques are hold for quite a while so that the facias get the time they need to relax. The hands “listen” attentively to the body and move towards the places they are “called”. The concentration focusses on what feels good and healthy and promote this so that it can spread to areas of discomfort. Usually, clients experience very deep relaxation during Cranio sessions.

The whole treatment takes about 75-90 minutes.

About me

Hello, my name is Doro Raht.

I am a Craniosacral Therapist and Heilpraktikerin (health practitioner). I have embarked on my Cranio-journey ten years ago, when I started participating in a three-year Craniosacral Therapy course in the Schule für Craniosacrale Balance, which is based on Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy principles. The training was thorough, extensive and mindful, with intensive support by a team of qualified and experienced teachers – and I loved every second of it. In order to start my own clinic in Bremen in 2017, I furthermore conducted a medical training at the Freie Heilpraktiker Schule Bremen Niedersachsen and became a state-approved Heilpraktikerin.

I love that Craniosacral Therapy is a very subtle, gentle, non-invasive and holistic form of bodywork...Cranio is gentle – yet very profound! It has a huge potential for fundamental and sustainable changes: old can be released, and vitality and lightness can develop. Cranio helps you to be present in your body, to regulate your nervous system, to (re-)start trusting your body, and to experience a deep sense of calm and relaxation.

Embracing Diversity: It is my mission to create a safe space where everyone feels welcome. If you have any wishes regarding the session/setting or if there is anything you like to say or ask before, please don’t hesitate to let me know!

Integrity is the leading value of my therapeutic work. To accompany you best on your journey and to continuously secure the quality of my work, I frequently participate in postgraduate trainings as well as mentorship-programs and supervisions. Furthermore, I am accompanying a three year formation for craniosacral therapists as a teaching assistant.

Besides being a Craniosacral Therapist, I am also trained as a Yin Yoga and Somatic Yoga teacher. They are both wonderful modalities and, like Craniosacral Therapy, also very beneficial for the fascias and the nervous system. Before I chose a healing profession, I aimed to make a contribution as a Social Scientist (MA) working in NGOs in various countries.

I have a deep love for nature and recently fell in love with Asturias – its abundant greenery, the rich sources of water, the mystical forests, the people, the beautiful valleys, the wild ocean, the picturesque villages and the clouds constantly changing their shape.