CranioSacral Therapy (CST) in Columbia, Maryland
What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. Using a soft touch that is no more than 5 grams -about the weight of a nickel- practitioners can release restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system. CST was pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger. This modality was developed after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University where he served as professor of biomechanics.
How does it work?
Few structures have as much influence over the body's ability to function properly as the brain and spinal cord that make up the central nervous system. The central nervous system is influenced by the craniosacral system which is the membranes and fluid that surround, protect, and nourish the brain and spinal cord.
Your body endures stresses and strains every day that it must work to compensate for. These compensations often cause body tissues to tighten which can distort the craniosacral system and create restrictions around the brain and spinal cord. CST uses gentle touch to allow the body to release those restrictions and self-correct. CST has been shown to naturally decrease pain and stress, enhance disease resistance, and strengthen health and well-being.
Simply put, trauma can be physical, emotional, or even both. The body can hold on to this trauma as a way to protect itself and it manifests in the body as restrictions and tension. CST can help the body to release these restrictions.
What to expect during a session:
CST sessions take place while you remain fully clothed, in a calm and quiet setting. Because each person is unique, sessions and their after-effects will vary — you may feel immediate relief, or you may notice the return of an old sensation. Some clients experience a SomatoEmotional Release (SER), where the body processes stored tension through movement or emotion. I may gently support movement of various body parts to facilitate release. Any temporary discomfort typically subsides within 24–48 hours. Please allow yourself time and space to integrate the experience afterward.
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WHAT DOES CST ADDRESS?
Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury
Migraines and Headaches
Stress and Tension-Related Disorders
Motor-Coordination Impairments
Chronic Neck and Back Pain
Autism
Anxiety
Depression
Infant and Childhood Disorders
Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
Chronic Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Scoliosis
Central Nervous System Disorders
Learning Disabilities
ADD/ADHD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Orthopedic Problems
TMJ Syndrome
Pregnancy, Conception, Birth
And Many Other Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our office is located at: 10450 Shaker Drive Suite 108, Columbia MD 21046
We offer In-Home Consultation for CST clients birth- 3 months within 20 miles of 21045 zip code. There is a $50 travel fee for all in home consultations.
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If an appointment is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance or a no-show, the client is responsible for paying the full session fee. Excusable cancellations will be charged the full fee and applied to an appointment booked within the following two weeks. If you do not book a follow up appointment within those two weeks you forfeit the funds for that appointment.
Nettle and Moon Wellness LLC has the right to waive the fee in the case of a significant emergency or at my discretion.
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The number of sessions varies and is based on the client’s state of health and treatment goals. In our experience when someone comes in with an acute or chronic condition, we recommend 2- 4 sessions close together to focus on relief. Next, we address the root of the cause and may schedule sessions a few weeks apart. Some clients then come in monthly or every other month for maintenance.
If this is an infant CST session and we are working through painful latch issues, we recommend a follow up session within the same week or as close as possible to get the best relief for the chest/breastfeeding client and baby. After the first two appointments, we can typically space the appointments out to weekly as we address the root of the cause.
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CST at Nettle and Moon Wellness is a cash pay service and that's intentional. It means every minute of your session stays focused entirely on you and your body, without the constraints of insurance protocols or required documentation pulling my attention away from your care.
Most insurance plans don't cover CranioSacral Therapy, and practitioners who do submit superbills or accept insurance are required to follow specific charting and procedural guidelines to withstand an audit. In practice, this limits the actual CST work that can be done in a session.
By keeping CST cash based, I can offer you a session that is truly guided by what your body needs. Nothing more, nothing less.
I understand this may feel like a barrier for some families. If cost is a concern, please reach out directly. A sliding scale may be available.
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Adult Session 60 min $145
Pediatric/Infant Session (visit 1-2+) 60 min Session: $145
Pediatric/Infant 30 min Session: $80
Twin/Sibling Pediatric Session 90 min: $220
In-Home (Birth to 3 Months) Travel Fee Per Session: $50
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We can take Flex Spending Account (FSA), Health Spending Account (HSA), and Health Care Flex Spending Account (HC FSA) to pay for your craniosacral or lactation sessions. You are responsible for checking your coverage and eligibility.