Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy is gaining attention for helping women, athletes and even dolphins, heal trauma, pain, and emotional overwhelm. But what’s it really like?
Imagine lying fully clothed on a cozy massage table, soft lighting around you, and a calm therapist resting their hands gently on your head or lower back. You’re not being massaged or stretched, just lightly held. And slowly, you begin to feel … different, calmer. Like something inside your body is unwinding in ways you didn’t even realise were tight.
This is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), a gentle, hands-on treatment designed to calm your nervous system, ease pain and tension, and support healing from deep within.
Originally developed from osteopathic medicine, BCST works with the body’s natural rhythms and subtle movements, often linked to the brain, spinal cord, and connective tissues. Practitioners are trained to listen with their hands, not to “fix” you, but to help your body find its own way back to balance.
“It’s like being deeply heard, but physically,” says Jenna, 38, who tried BCST after a stressful divorce. “I walked in feeling on edge and exhausted. I walked out like I had slept for a week.”
While every session is different, many women say it helps with anxiety, migraines, sleep issues, trauma, and even hormonal stress. It’s also commonly used to support people recovering from injury or concussion. Some people feel light gentle waves or pulses moving though the body, while the majority of people confess to feeling an incredible sense of relaxation by the end of the session.
BCST has even made waves in the world of professional American football, where concussions and brain injuries are a major issue. In Florida, a group of retired players suffering from post-concussion syndrome received intensive craniosacral therapy treatments, including two sessions a day over five days. Post sessions, many reported clear improvements in memory, pain, sleep, balance, and mood.
“I feel like I got part of my brain back,” one player said.
In Florida, some therapists are taking BCST into the water … with dolphins. These dolphin-assisted craniosacral sessions combine gentle bodywork, warm saltwater, and therapeutic interaction with dolphins in a deeply healing environment.
The founder of the technique, Dr. John Upledger, believed the unique sound frequencies and social intelligence of dolphins could enhance the healing experience. And according to many participants, from children with disabilities to adults with chronic pain, the results are profound. If this catches your interest you can watch an interesting documentary called Touch, by the Upledger Foundation that explores the effects of dolphin accompanied craniosacral therapy.
So, if you’re looking for something gentle, holistic, and deeply relaxing, especially if you’ve been through emotional trauma, chronic stress, or brain fog, BCST is certainly worth a try.
It’s not a cure-all, and it’s best used alongside traditional care. But for many women, it’s become a regular part of their wellness routine, like yoga, therapy. And the best part is you just have to turn up with an open mind, because sometimes, healing starts with simply being still and being seen.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.
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