Craniosacral Therapy and Massage:
What’s the Difference?

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) and massage can both involve hands-on touch, but the purpose, pressure, and style of the work are quite different.

Massage works more directly with the body’s tissues.
A massage therapist may use pressure, movement and different techniques to work with muscles and soft tissue, helping to ease areas of tension and stiffness.

CST is much gentler.
The techniques Cheryl has been taught and practises use approximately 5 grams of pressure. Rather than deliberately manipulating the muscles, she takes time to listen through touch and notice subtle movements and changes in the body.

The approach is quiet and gentle, allowing the session to unfold in response to what the body is communicating.

One isn’t necessarily better than the other. They’re simply different approaches, and each may be suited to different preferences and needs.

And this is where Cheryl’s blended approach becomes interesting.

Because Cheryl practises both massage and CST, you don’t necessarily have to choose between the two.

Your preference is always taken into consideration and respected. Depending on what you’re looking for, a session may incorporate both approaches.

For example, a session might begin with massage techniques to address areas of muscular tension, followed by gentler CST work to encourage settling and relaxation.

Or, if you’d prefer a massage-focused session, the treatment can remain primarily centred around massage techniques.

If you’re interested in CST, you can also choose to experience a session using only the gentle, listening-based approach.

In summary

Massage tends to work more directly with muscles and soft tissues, using varying degrees of pressure and movement. CST uses a much lighter touch and a quieter, listening-based approach.

Neither approach has to be chosen over the other. Sometimes, a combination of both can create a treatment that feels more responsive to what you’re needing on the day.