Frequently Asked Questions
What Is CranioSacral Therapy?
Few body structures have more influence over your health and well-being than your central nervous system. And few body systems have more impact on your central nervous system than the CranioSacral system – the soft tissues and fluid that protect your brain and spinal cord.
Every day you endure stresses (physical or emotional) and strains, and your body absorbs them. But your body can only handle so much tension before the tissues begin to tighten and potentially affect the brain and spinal cord. Since your whole body is connected to your spinal cord through the fascia (connective tissue) and nerves, this system is the often unaddressed cause of problems elsewhere in your body.
CranioSacral Therapy releases those tensions to allow the entire body to relax and self-correct. Using a gentle touch, I will evaluate your CranioSacral System. Then I will use distinctive light touch techniques to activate your body’s natural healing process. This releases restrictions and brings your body into proper alignment.
By freeing the central nervous system to perform at its best and eliminating fascial restrictions throughout your body, CranioSacral Therapy naturally eliminates pain and stress, strengthens your resistance to disease and enhances your health and well-being.
What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing is an approach to trauma healing and is based upon the realization that human beings have an innate ability to overcome the effects of trauma.
Each of us has a self-regulating system that allows us to experience stressful situations as a wave of energy rising in our body and then naturally discharging. However, when a traumatic event occurs, this energy is too much for our system to handle and our natural self regulating system is thwarted. Or nervous system is literally stuck in the past and we can experience life itself as a threat even though we have already survived the event. The energy has not been able to leave our nervous systems and we live life stuck either highly activated in Fight or Flight with symptoms such as:
- Tension/Bracing patterns
- Hyperactivity
- Anxiety
- Panic
- Inability to relax
- Exaggerated startle
- Sleeplessness
- Digestive Problems
- Chronic Pain or
- Rage/hostility
Or on the other end of the spectrum we can be stuck in the Freeze/immobility state with symptoms such as:
- Chronic fatigue
- Depression
- Exhaustion
- Dissociation
- Disconnection
- Digestive problems or
- Low blood pressure
Though each of these symptoms may not be connected at all to past trauma, in some cases they can be a direct result. Somatic Experiencing works by restoring balance to your self-regulating system which allows you to discharge the traumatic energy stuck in the nervous system. In other words, the wave of energy is able to complete itself. This restores balance, a sense of aliveness, relaxation and wholeness to traumatized individuals who have had these precious gifts taken away. For more information on this approach visit www.traumahealing.org.
How long is a session?
An initial Physiotherapy session will include a full assessment and begin your treatment. It usually takes about 90 minutes to complete. Subsequent sessions are usually 60 minutes.
Initial and subsequent sessions for Bodywork & Psychotherapy are usually 60 minutes. However in some cases 90 minute bodywork sessions may benefit you depending on your condition and the frequency of your visits.
Are your services covered by insurance?
This depends on what we are working on together. If the CranioSacral Therapy we use focuses on aligning your spinal column/cranium to relieve pain then your treatment can be covered under your extended health care benefits plan as Physical Therapy. Depending on your insurance company, you may need an MD’s referral note along with receipts to be submitted for reimbursement from insurers.
However, if your treatment involves emotional processing or renegotiation of trauma that does not fall under the scope of Physical Therapy you will be unable to receive insurance benefits and be billed under Body Coaching. Often the phone consult or initial assessment will allow us to distinguish whether your treatment falls under “Physical Therapy” or “Body Coaching”.
As a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), the psychotherapy sessions I provide can be covered under your extended benefits plan under psychotherapy.
Please note that you are responsible for full payment of fees regardless of reimbursement from insurance companies.
Fees are due and payable at time of service unless alternate arrangements are discussed in advance. You will be provided with a receipt to submit to the insurer for reimbursement.
How much does a session cost?
Fees are billed according to length of treatment:
Body Coaching 60 minutes: $175 (including HST)
Psychotherapy 60 minutes: $175 (including HST)
Physiotherapy 60 minutes: $175 (HST exempt)
Physiotherapy Initial Assessment: $240 (HST exempt)
Payment can be made by cash, cheque or email transfer
Please note that the full fee will be charged for appointments missed, cancelled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours notice.
Where are you located?
Just across the street from Christie Station on the South side of Bloor. The office is wheelchair accessible.
The address is:
721 Bloor Street West Unit 204
Toronto, Ontario M6G 1L5
Is there parking?
Parking can be found on side streets (Grace St. often has parking spots) and a Green P parking lot is just a block east. In addition, there are a limited number of metered parking spots on Bloor itself.
How can I book my first appointment?
You can book an appointment by emailing satyam@craniosacraltoronto.com.
You can also contact me to book a free 15 minute phone consultation to learn more about how this approach can transform your health.