What is CranioSacral Therapy?

THE SCIENCE  •  CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is light touch bodywork that supports the body’s natural ability to heal. CST is named for the spinal bones from the skull to the sacrum, a flat triangular shaped bone at the base of the spine. The craniosacral system includes the tissues and fluid around the brain and spinal cord that protects and nourishes the central nervous system. Here’s how it helps:

If you’ve had an injury or trauma that has left you feeling unwell, you might be experiencing a structural blockage that’s causing dysfunction or pain. Since the craniosacral system is the pathway for messages between the brain and the body, it relies on a natural flow and rhythm to nourish and heal the body. CST works with the craniosacral structure — the bones, tissues, and fluids of the central nervous system — to restore balance and release restrictions that impede that natural flow.

If you’ve had a traumatic experience, your body naturally tries to repair the tensions left behind in your tissue. But when those tensions aren’t fully released, they can become trapped in the tissue and can result in pain or symptoms that are otherwise inexplicable. SER is a mind/body practice that finds and releases these restrictions that can result in chronic physical illness, decreased immune function, fatigue, anxiety, or stress.

I treat clients fully clothed on a massage table in my calm, airy practice space. It’s a restorative experience. I rest my hands on the surface of the body and “listen” to the cerebral spinal fluid  with my hands. Since a healthy body has a strong tidal rhythm,  I can find areas where the flow is restricted and help unblock it. I slowly add tiny increments of pressure until I feel the tissues under my hands start to engage. Once this happens, restrictions start to loosen as the elastin fibers and tough collagen fibers start to respond and lengthen. The pressure applied is generally no greater than the weight of a nickel. This work is a subtle practice that takes patience and sensitivity.

CranioSacral Therapy experience

Healing Benefits

THE CONNECTION  •  We can all benefit from CranioSacral Therapy to help our bodies stay in balance through the wear and tear of aging and daily life. People with specific pain or dysfunction who prefer a natural healing alternative or who haven’t found a solution from mainstream medicine are great candidates. Here is a partial list of conditions I’ve treated successfully:

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CranioSacral Therapy Healing

  • Headaches, migraines

  • TMJ, jaw and dental pain

  • Sinus conditions

  • Eye problems, double vision

  • Hearing disturbances, tinnitus

  • Brain trauma, concussion

  • Spinal cord injuries

  • Nerve compression in skull, face and spine

  • Chronic back and neck pain

  • Sciatica

  • Soft tissue injuries

  • Stress and tension

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Digestive problems

  • Insomnia

  • Chronic fatigue

About Lara Hornbeck

BACKGROUND  •  My admiration for the human body began with a Fine Arts college degree. I began practicing yoga, joined a two-year Yoga teacher training program, and taught Yoga for many years. I gained a deep understanding of how the subtleties of an attentive practice can shift not only the body but also the mind and spirit. When I first experienced CST, it was love at first touch. Sharing the healing benefits of CST and helping clients be at ease within themselves is one of my great joys.

TRAINING  •  I’m certified in CranioSacral Therapy through The Upledger Institute, where I continue to study and serve as a teaching assistant. I have 1000+ hours of Yoga teacher and advanced practitioner training, as well as 1200+ hours of in depth training in CST and other bodywork modalities. I’m also currently enrolled in the McKinnon Body Therapy Center‘s 500-hour massage certification program.

The Upledger Institute spacerAssociated Bodywork & Massage Professionals spacerIAHP International Association of Healthcare Practitioners
Lara Hornbeck CST-T

► What My Clients Are Saying

About Lara Hornbeck

BACKGROUND  •  My admiration for the human body began with a Fine Arts college degree. I began practicing yoga, joined a two-year Yoga teacher training program, and taught Yoga for many years. I gained a deep understanding of how the subtleties of an attentive practice can shift not only the body but also the mind and spirit. When I first experienced CST, it was love at first touch. Sharing the healing benefits of CST and helping clients be at ease within themselves is one of my great joys.

TRAINING  •  I’m certified in CranioSacral Therapy through The Upledger Institute, where I continue to study and serve as a teaching assistant. I have 1000+ hours of Yoga teacher and advanced practitioner training, as well as 1200+ hours of in depth training in CST and other bodywork modalities. I’m also currently enrolled in the McKinnon Body Therapy Center‘s 500-hour massage certification program.

The Upledger Institute spacerAssociated Bodywork & Massage Professionals spacerIAHP International Association of Healthcare Practitioners
Lara Hornbeck CST-T

► What My Clients Are Saying

MY OFFICE  •  2421 Fourth St. in Berkeley. Free parking!

2421 Fourth St., Berkeley CA 94710
Office entry
Treatment room

Testimonials

I struggled with hip and lower back pain after childbirth, spent years getting MRIs, shots, and working with PTs. Lara helped me tap into “body wisdom” to understand why I was experiencing so much pain. I’ve learned a great deal and it has improved my quality of life tenfold. I’m able to hike, do yoga and play sports again. I HIGHLY recommend her.

Kelly D., Hip and lower back pain

I experienced CST for the first time with Lara and was so impressed with her abilities. She pretty quickly detected a problem area where I had twinges of belly pain after a UTI that my MD couldn’t explain, that I hadn’t even mentioned to her. She found it anyway and by the next day it was gone!

Linda B., Inexplicable pain

Lara has helped me in so many ways, from physical pain no one else could figure out to other health issues. I can not recommend her highly enough. Lara is hands down the BEST!! Her office is beautiful, a safe and comfortable place to find your inner health and vibrancy. Most importantly there is always parking!!

Jessica H., Pain and other issues

Lara is an amazing therapist. The first time I went to see her, I had incredible neck pain – I could hardly turn my head. After my session, there was zero pain in my neck. Needless to say, I am now a regular. Easy parking, quiet neighborhood, beautiful office space, great therapy. Highly recommend.

Camille S., Neck pain

Lara has incredible hands. As a chiropractor I have tried lots of different bodyworkers and CranioSacral practitioners — and Lara is amazing. Not only does she have a talent for the CranioSacral rhythms, but she can tie in somatic work as well as visceral work.

Dr. Melissa Crago, Chiropractor's recommendation
Write a Review on Yelp
Write a Review on Google
Lara Hornbeck CranioSacral TherapistShare your experience in a review and
help me spread the word about
CranioSacral Therapy!
—Lara

Testimonials

I struggled with hip and lower back pain after childbirth, spent years getting MRIs, shots, and working with PTs. Lara helped me tap into “body wisdom” to understand why I was experiencing so much pain. I’ve learned a great deal and it has improved my quality of life tenfold. I’m able to hike, do yoga and play sports again. I HIGHLY recommend her.

Kelly D., Hip and lower back pain

I experienced CST for the first time with Lara and was so impressed with her abilities. She pretty quickly detected a problem area where I had twinges of belly pain after a UTI that my MD couldn’t explain, that I hadn’t even mentioned to her. She found it anyway and by the next day it was gone!

Linda B., Inexplicable pain

Lara has helped me in so many ways, from physical pain no one else could figure out to other health issues. I can not recommend her highly enough. Lara is hands down the BEST!! Her office is beautiful, a safe and comfortable place to find your inner health and vibrancy. Most importantly there is always parking!!

Jessica H., Pain and other issues

Lara is an amazing therapist. The first time I went to see her, I had incredible neck pain – I could hardly turn my head. After my session, there was zero pain in my neck. Needless to say, I am now a regular. Easy parking, quiet neighborhood, beautiful office space, great therapy. Highly recommend.

Camille S., Neck pain

Lara has incredible hands. As a chiropractor I have tried lots of different bodyworkers and CranioSacral practitioners — and Lara is amazing. Not only does she have a talent for the CranioSacral rhythms, but she can tie in somatic work as well as visceral work.

Dr. Melissa Crago, Chiropractor's recommendation
Write a Review on Yelp
Write a Review on Google
Lara Hornbeck CranioSacral TherapistShare your experience
in a review and help me
spread the word about
CranioSacral Therapy!
—Lara

Contact

Contact Lara

(510) 325-2724
lara@berkeleybodywork.com
2421 Fourth St., Berkeley CA 94710

Hours — By Appointment Only

Monday    10 AM – 4 PM
Tuesday    10 AM – 6 PM
Thursday  10 AM – 6 PM

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