Craniosacral Therapy Association UK - CSTA

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Craniosacral Therapy Association UK - CSTA

The Craniosacral Therapy Association promotes CST and supports its practitioners throughout the UK and worldwide.

09/09/2026

As I’ve come to understand, from my personal explorations, and decades of body work with people experiencing pain, trauma and anxiety, trauma actually emerges when bodies are stuck in over protective reflexes.

And when our bodies are stuck, we are stuck as people, because our thoughts become less flexible, our choices are more narrow, and our bodies are stuck, trying to protect us. What we might say is that old parts of the brain are stuck trying to protect us, and they change how our physiology is working. They change the fluid, chemical milieu, they change the action patterns, they change all the reflexes in the body.

There are lots of really great folklore phrases that teach us that emotions and bodies work together, there's are beautiful links in our language between emotions and the body:
My heart is broken
I can't get over this
I can't stomach that
I've got a gut wrenching decision to make.

How we make sense of these feelings is beautifully complex.

I would offer that emotions, thoughts and memories all emerge at the same time, they co-emerged in response to raw feeling states.

There's a nice technical word we can use here, called affect. Affect is the first readout of the physiological state of our body. Homeostasis - the balance of do I like this or dislike it? How calm am I? How busy do I feel? These poles of valence - of like / dislike, agitated or calm - are the raw substrate of all and all actions, as well as all thoughts, and all memories.

As a bodyworker, my goal is to help people feel more comfortable with affect, with these raw feeling states, and to learn that there is a gap between the physiological response, and the complex meanings that emerge.

I guide clients and students to cultivate that gap, and learn to slow down when we feel a little bit of tremor in our breathing, or a pounding in our chest, or a tension in our muscles. And once we’ve slowed down, to realise that what we are feeling isn't actually anger or anxiety, but rather our bodies trying to protect us. This can become a very, very powerful tool.

06/09/2026

So many great reasons to become a member of the CSTA!
When you join, you'll receive access to Measure Well's magnificent metric, helping practitioners effectively monitor changes in their client's wellbeing. This data will also help us evidence the efficacy of CST.
Measure Well and the CSTA are proud sponsors of this year's exciting Cranio Research Congress. CSTA members are eligible for a 15% discount, it looks to be an amazing event! cranioresearchcongress.org/

02/09/2026

Congratulations if you have recently qualified as a Craniosacral Therapist!
By becoming a member of the CSTA, you can enjoy many benefits, including being part of a community of like-minded people. We are also creating a brand-new and improved website and practitioner directory so that we become the first port of call for members of the public looking for a practitioner in their area.
Contact Susanne Wakefield at [email protected]; she can help you get registered.

29/08/2026

Revisiting this wonderful piece on Franklin Sills by Katherine Ukleja Cranial

'A lot of new information came from across the water, with Michael Shea acting as emissary. The writings of James Jealous, particularly his understanding of the original matrix and the three bodies, influenced Franklyn’s thinking. Franklyn’s background in polarity therapy meant that he was familiar with what Randolph Stone called ‘pattern energy’ but Jealous’s languaging resonated with him and encouraged originality. The observations of visionary embryologist Erich Blechschmidt, his model of metabolic fields which determine the evolution of form, provided another springboard for broadening the biodynamic concept.
He was a rare and beautiful being. He will be missed but his wisdom will live on for generations to come.'
https://www.craniosacral.co.uk/blog/dancing-with-potency-an-ode-to-franklyn-sills/
Katherine is retiring at the end of 2026 - Circle Cranio are very excited to be hosting her final post grads – https://circlecranio.com/post-graduate-cpd

26/08/2026

In patients with chronic pain, this meta-analysis suggests significant and robust effects of CST on pain and function lasting up to six months.
Ten RCTs of 681 patients with neck and back pain, migraine, headache, fibromyalgia, epicondylitis, and pelvic girdle pain were included. CST showed greater post intervention effects on pain intensity.
Secondary outcomes were all significantly more improved in CST patients than in other groups, except for six-month mental quality of life versus sham. Sensitivity analyses revealed robust effects of CST against most risk of bias domains.
In patients with chronic pain, this meta-analysis suggests significant and robust effects of CST on pain and function lasting up to six months.

Ten RCTs of 681 patients with neck and back pain, migraine, headache, fibromyalgia, epicondylitis, and pelvic girdle pain were included. CST showed greater post intervention effects on pain intensity.

Secondary outcomes were all significantly more improved in CST patients than in other groups, except for six-month mental quality of life versus sham. Sensitivity analyses revealed robust effects of CST against most risk of bias domains.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12891-019-3017-y

24/08/2026

Issue 99 of The Fulcrum has just arrived! It features fascinating articles from our wonderful community and some absolutely stunning artwork from Tom Hatton. After many years on the editorial team, issue 100 will be Tom’s final edition as art director of The Fulcrum, and we are now seeking a freelance editorial designer to take over the role.
The Fulcrum is published three times a year and has a well-established editorial identity. Given its strong emphasis on illustration, applicants should have a passion for visual art and storytelling, along with suitable experience in graphic design, typography, illustration, and print. Adobe InDesign skills are essential.
To find out more about the role and request a job description, please contact Janet Wright at [email protected].

21/08/2026

Measuring the Effectiveness of CST
BY Dr Nicola Brough
The Fulcrum, Issue 92

The WHHQ is more than an outcome measure, it is an eye-opener for clients, making them think about the way they are living, what they need from a series of treatments and where they would like to be. It also gives me insight into how gently I need to engage with a client; a low score means I am super gentle, slow and soft in my manner. Having used it for six months, I will never treat a new client without it.

I think the validated data will be a valuable tool for individual practitioners and the CSTA to raise awareness of the efficacy of CST. The more of us that use it, the better it will be for the profession as a whole.

Lulu Ferrand, RCST
https://www.craniosacral.co.uk/blog/measuring-the-effectiveness-of-cst/
Image credit - Karola En.art

19/08/2026

Cranio and the Six Senses 9-10 October 2026

Join us to explore how craniosacral work can enhance sensory integration and awaken deeper awareness of our senses in subtle and powerful ways.

This congress brings together pioneering researchers and experienced practitioners to share the latest insights into how Craniosacral Therapy can enrich sensory experience, support self-regulation, and foster wellbeing, or how sensory awareness itself may guide and deepen the therapeutic process.

Whether you’re a craniosacral therapist, a healthcare professional, or someone on a path of personal growth, you’ll gain practical techniques and fresh perspectives to expand your understanding and your practice. Don’t miss this sensory-deepening experience!
https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/cranio-research-congress-2026-tickets-1981513846255

17/08/2026

Via Circle Cranio

We invite you to join our next Intro Day, which is coming up in a few weeks. It will be the last session before the Practitioner Training begins in October.
Saturday, 12 September 2026, 10am - 5.30pm
Exeter Community Centre
Cost £75 which will be reimbursed if you subsequently enrol in the Practitioner Training.
Booking is required as places are limited.
For more info: https://circlecranio.com
To book: [email protected]

12/08/2026

Thanks to Áine Ashby of Ashby Cranio, for keeping it real!

Address

27 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N3AX

Website

http://www.craniosacral.co.uk/

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