Flow Zone Craniosacral Therapy

12/03/2026

This is landing heavily at the moment.

It makes me think of a survival adaptation that says

BE THE THING YOU WERE A VICTIM OF

Rescuer Role > Victim Role > Persecutor Role

It’s the Persecutor Role that we end up exhaustedly falling into, which feels the safest, but upsets us the most. The first two do the damage by burning 🔥 us out.

The antidote is an Empowerement Dynamic

COACH not Rescuer

CREATOR not Victim

CHALLENGER not Persecutor

Easier said than done admittedly!

03/03/2026

A Regulation-Based Model of Cranial Work

Since its inception, Craniosacral Therapy has been explained through the idea of a “craniosacral rhythm” — a subtle internal pump said to move the cranial bones and cerebrospinal fluid.

But what if that rhythm doesn’t actually exist, as described, in the osteopathic sense?

After years in practice, and after seriously examining the science, I no longer believe there is a distinct craniosacral rhythm. There’s no reproducible, instrument-based evidence for a unique cranial oscillator separate from breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure rhythms.

And yet…

I can absolutely feel changes in my clients’ tissues.

When someone arrives anxious, guarded, or dysregulated, their tissues feel different — less compliant, less responsive, sometimes cooler or more rigid.

As they settle:
• Their breathing deepens
• Their system slows
• Their tissues soften
• Motility feels more fluid
• Warmth increases
• The whole body feels more coherent

I don’t frame this as witnessing a rhythm.

I’m palpating state change.

Modern physiology gives us a clearer explanation. When a person shifts from sympathetic activation (fight/flight) toward parasympathetic regulation (rest/digest), measurable changes occur:

• Increased heart rate variability
• Stronger respiratory sinus arrhythmia
• Vasodilation
• Reduced muscle tone
• Improved autonomic flexibility

These changes have mechanical consequences. They alter tissue compliance, perfusion, and rhythmic quality.

In other words: regulation is palpable.

So rather than defending an invisible cranial pump, I work by a different model:

Cranial work is a co-regulatory intervention.

Through safe, attuned touch, the nervous system shifts. As regulation improves, symptoms often improve — not because a rhythm was corrected, but because autonomic flexibility is increased.

This reframing matters.

It places cranial work inside modern neuroscience rather than outside it.

It shifts the focus from structure to state.
From mechanical correction to biological regulation.
From belief to neurobiology and affective neuroscience.

This means I’m not just following a conceptual framework I’ve always struggled with blindly. In my experience, that makes the work stronger — not weaker.

01/03/2026

For some nervous systems, solitude is ventral vagus system driven.

The question is not:
“Are you socially engaged?”

It’s:
“Is your nervous system experiencing safety and flexibility?”

Some social media sources actually need to study regulation theory before posting a load of content on social media about Polyvagal theory 🤔🤔

Because for a start, neurodivergent nervous systems can be misrepresented by overly zealous mis-applications of Polyvagal Theory

(It’s not Polyvagal Theories fault by the way)

The Masking Trap

You know this terrain. If you’re AuDHD…

You can appear socially fluent.
You can be attuned.
You can be relational.

And still be running sympathetic charge internally.

I’ll say that again…..

AND STILL BE RUNNING SYMPATHETICALLY INTERNALLY

Polyvagal-informed spaces sometimes mistake outward social behaviour for ventral state. But ventral is not eye contact and warmth — it’s internal safety and fluidity.

For neurodivergent systems, that distinction is critical.

If you’ve spent years masking well, the glorification of social engagement can feel like applause for the mask 🤡👏👹

We are aiming for a flexible nervous system. Not a friends list that exhausts us.

01/03/2026

Holistic Therapy has become a pseudo-scientific cess pit for social media ‘content creators’:

On yet ANOTHER one of these dubious ‘Vagus nerve reset’ social media sites, a commenter posted that ‘The Vagus Nerve is everything’. Let’s just focus on that a minute….

The Vagus Nerve is everything…

I replied as follows to this ever increasing stance of holistically masked political determinism.

‘No, it’s not. It’s one of ten cranial nerves. The other nine are just as important, as is the rest of the nervous system, and all the other systems that integrate and modulate with it.

Holistic therapy circles use the vagus nerve to draw in clients in an almost Scientology, cult-like fashion. It’s become a cess pit and preys on the vulnerable. It encourages dependency. As does online funnel marketing aimed at emotionally manipulating people. I’m a trained therapist and even I find it vomit inducing.’

Having successfully escaped the toxic landscape that was being a Process Chemist in a manufacturing industry that fed the global war machine…..I now find that I re-trained to watch an equally toxic scene unfold before my eyes:

Pretending to want to help people in order to increase your online presence and profile whilst funnelling money in what is essentially a pyramid scheme. Content. Courses. Information you could get for pennies out of a book but charged at a premium (often hundreds, if not thousands of pounds) online.

All the while, carrots 🥕 are dangled in front of clients and trained CPD’ers alike, with very little actual client work being done in reality.

I was naive. But this is not what I trained for.

These days
* I barely do any private therapy work because I refuse to market. If people find me, and it’s a good fit, all good ✅

* My main work post training is in Home Support Work. I’m a Carer. This is because I trained as a therapist to help people, one to one. Not sit on a computer all day using AI to churn out the latest faddish pseudo-neuro-science ✅

* I volunteer as a therapist for free at a centre for people who cannot afford therapy. I do this not because I’m a saint, or a soap boxer or a do-gooder. It’s because the people who need therapy the most USUALLY CANNOT AFFORD IT. Yet, they are expected to pay ridiculous private practice prices and the NHS and this country does not value alternative medicine or holistic therapies and is light years behind other European countries ✅

* I have slowly got rid of all drains on my finances and personal energy that are not needed
-expensive room hire ❌
- pointless website ❌
- wasting hundreds of pounds on usually sub standard CPD that can be found by simply reading a book ❌

What does all this achieve?
-Satisfaction that the clients I work with are getting the attention they deserve and not a load of marketing drivel ✨

- the emphasis being on the client rather than my profile 🌟

-coming from a place of attunement rather than ‘capturing an audience’ ⚡️

- doing therapy because I WANT TO, not for financial gain 🌈

If I was to give advice to somebody thinking about training as a counsellor/holistic therapist/psychotherapist…..do it because you want to help people, not because it seems like an ‘interesting career change’.

If I was to give advice to people struggling with whatever they are struggling with…….don’t assume the superstars on social media are necessarily the right fit for you. Oh sure, they make a living out of being convincing. But it may be the ones off the beaten track that are the best kept secret.

13/11/2025

A few weeks ago, after going through a challenging assessment process, I was diagnosed as being autistic. I was cross referred by my ADHD clinician after initially being diagnosed for ADHD in April…..so 2025 has been an important year! A real landmark in my journey of realising and coming to love who I am at my essence.

Receiving my autism diagnosis has been a turning point—it’s completed me as a practitioner and given me a deeper sense of clarity about who I am and how I work.

It’s helped me refine a gentler, more sensory-aware approach, clearer communication, and pacing that respects nervous system differences.

I’ve always been doubtful about where I fit into the Craniosacral field. It’s been a struggle at times to engage with the often very osteopathically oriented conceptual framework and the alternative science flavour of biodynamics. I’m a hard scientist by profession. My interests lie more in affective neuroscience, neurobiology, biochemistry and neurosomatics. I can only experience and channel this practice of Craniosacral therapy through my own very unique lens. But I am committed to the great power that is therapeutic touch and its ability to heal through regulation of a clients nervous system. I intend to write extensively on this at a later date.

This understanding has naturally oriented me towards supporting neurodivergent clients, where shared experience builds trust and genuine connection. Willing people are needed more than ever to step up as an advocate: raising awareness about accessible therapy, sharing practical resources, and pushing for neurodiversity-affirming care in our community. I struggle with the idea of this role sometimes due to my own challenges. Sometimes I crash, burn-out and out of exhaustion and fear….lose my voice. But I’m slowly getting motivated to advocate: for acceptance, for visibility, and for the value of neurodivergent voices in every space.

If you’re neurodivergent or support someone who is, I’d love to connect — whether for therapy, advice, or collaboration on advocacy.

03/11/2025

Announcement:
I will no longer be taking on private clients without full payment at least 48 hrs in advance to secure the appointment. I am also raising my fee to £60.
Many thanks 🙏

16/07/2025

Local businesses….

07/07/2025

Something fairly unexpected happened recently — I was formally diagnosed with ADHD. This was in April this year, after going through the NHS Right to Choose referral scheme and being assessed by ADHD360.

You may ask ‘why unexpected?’. Well….many people close to me could see I was ‘on the spectrum’ but I was pretty oblivious really. Until I started seeing clients who were ADHD’ers and working on their nervous system regulation. Whilst talking, several made the comment that they felt ‘heard and understood…because you’re one of us’

They made the interesting assumption that I was also an ADHD’er.

And they were right! I was indeed suprised how well I understood and related to their traits.

Another interesting factor was that some very common conditions often co-existed with ADHD.

* Anxiety/depression
* Addiction
* Chronic fatigue
* Global pain conditions such as fibromyalgia
* IBS

I have been misdiagnosed with anxiety/depression, struggled with addiction and also chose to give up my Industry Career due to burn out and exhaustion.

So really, I can thank my clients for me making the decision to finally get assessed. One curve ball that my clinician delivered at the end of the assessment process was ‘you’re clearly Combined ADHD (Inattentive and Hyperactive-Impulsive)…..but we think this is complicated by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). So…I’m waiting to be assessed for Autism also.

Far from being a setback, it’s felt like a homecoming. So much now makes sense, and I’m seeing myself and my work with new clarity. As a Craniosacral therapist, this diagnosis has deepened my compassion — for myself, and for the many neurodivergent clients I have supported and may support in the future.

I’ve begun noticing how my unique attentional style — intuitive, sensitive, and deeply attuned — is actually a strength in the treatment room. ADHD hasn’t made me “less than”; it’s made me more the therapist I’m meant to be. It’s helping me refine how I hold space, how I listen, and how I support nervous systems that don’t always follow the rules.

If you’re neurodivergent too — diagnosed or not — know you’re very welcome on my couch. 💛





https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/

03/04/2025

🥏 Relieve Rotator Cuff Pain with Craniosacral Therapy! 🥏

I have recently developed a rotator cuff injury due to, of all things, daily frisbee 🥏 sessions with my dog ! 🫣

If you’re struggling with a rotator cuff injury, you know how frustrating it can be—stiffness, pain, and limited movement can make even simple tasks feel impossible. But did you know that craniosacral therapy (CST) can help accelerate your healing?

CST is a gentle, hands-on technique that works with the body’s natural rhythms to release tension and restore balance. While most treatments focus directly on the shoulder, CST takes a whole-body approach, addressing restrictions in the fascia, nervous system, and craniosacral fluid flow—all of which play a role in your body’s ability to heal.

✨ How Craniosacral Therapy Can Help:
✔️ Releases deep tension in the neck, shoulders, and spine that may be restricting movement
✔️ Enhances circulation to the injured area, promoting faster recovery
✔️ Reduces inflammation & pain without forceful manipulation
✔️ Restores neuromuscular balance, improving range of motion

I have worked with clients who have reported less pain, improved mobility, and a greater sense of ease after just a few sessions. If you’re looking for a natural, effective way to heal your shoulder, craniosacral therapy could be the missing piece in your recovery.

Ready to feel better? Send a message to learn more or book a session
Flowzonecraniosacral.co.uk

Image Courtesy of verywell.com

16/03/2025

Craniosacral Therapy & Adult ADHD: A Natural Approach to Focus and Calm

Adult ADHD can feel like living in a constant state of mental overdrive—racing thoughts, difficulty focusing, and emotional ups and downs. These symptoms, coupled with the masking techniques we develop from an early age to appear ‘neurotypical’, can result in a downward spiral into exhaustion and clinical burn out symptoms if we cannot find support.

While medication and behavioral strategies are enormously useful and help many, Craniosacral Therapy (CST) offers an additional, gentle, hands-on approach that supports the nervous system in finding balance.

CST works by calming the body’s fight-or-flight response and enhancing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, helping to regulate brain function. Clients may report improved focus, reduced anxiety, and a greater sense of ease in their daily lives.

If you or someone you know struggles with ADHD, Craniosacral Therapy might be worth exploring. It’s a subtle but powerful way to support the mind and body in working together harmoniously.

Please see my website https://www.flowzonecraniosacral.co.uk/

27/01/2025

As a therapist, my mission statement is to ensure all members of the community, regardless of financial status, are supported and have access to help.

For this reason, I’ve worked at QMC for two and a half years and surely always will 🙏🙏.

Please donate 💙

The Quiet Mind Centre, established in 1984, offers therapy and c… Chloe Neil needs your support for The Quiet Mind Centre for accessible mental health support

16/11/2024

Exploring the Connection: Shamanism & Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST) on inspection, has deep similarities to shamanic traditions, merging ancient wisdom with modern healing. Both practices share a focus on the body’s natural rhythms, energy flows, and innate ability to heal. Shamanism’s emphasis on connecting with the unseen world and holding space for deep transformation mirrors BCST’s gentle, non-invasive approach to releasing trauma and restoring balance.

This interplay highlights how ancient practices can enrich contemporary therapies, fostering profound physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.

Probably the greatest book written on historical and contemporary Shamanism is ‘The Way of the Shaman’ by Michael Harner, highly recommended.

Also, many influential Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapists have written candidly about the influence of Shamanism in the practice, including Micheal Shea and particularly Hugh Milne, in his book ‘The Heart of Listening’. Hugh Milne’s ‘Visionary’ approach to CST is very spiritually driven and is now considered a faction of its own, with a great deal of Shamanic overlap.

This year, I enjoyed doing further training on the subject of trauma at Fifth World Cranial, where participants do postgraduate work deep in the forest near Dartington. The whole feel is very shamanic with rituals and meditations influenced by this tradition.

I have volunteered at The Quiet Mind Centre, Exmouth for over two years, happily fulfilling my mission statement of providing donation only treatment to the community. This great practice should be available to everyone, regardless of financial status.