Heartwood - Craniosacral Therapy

13/04/2026

“Stronger.”

It’s a word I’ve heard again and again this week, as clients describe how they feel before a session (and they don’t just mean physically).

I feel so grateful to witness people stepping forward with more energy, less pain, and a greater sense that they can meet whatever life is bringing their way.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your transformation ❤️ You’ve got this!

04/04/2026

Next week is fully booked (thank you 💛) There are still appointments available throughout April.

As we move into spring, it can be a good time to check in with your body and how you’ve been feeling over the past few months. Craniosacral Therapy offers a gentle, non-invasive approach to working with the nervous system, helping to ease tension, support regulation, and promote overall wellbeing.

If things have felt a little busy, heavy, or out of balance, this may be a good time to take some space for yourself and receive support.

Click the link below to book your appointment or feel free to message to ask any questions 😊.

www.heartwoodcst.com

01/04/2026

Today is April Fools’ Day, so what better time to take a closer look at laughter?

All emotions are welcome in my treatment room, including moments of lightness and laughter 😊

Laughter is more than just a reaction; it’s a whole-body physiological process, with measurable effects on stress, circulation, and nervous system regulation.

Craniosacral Therapy works with the nervous system to support regulation, resilience, and the capacity to access states of ease.

It’s not unusual for laughter and tears to sit side by side in the same session. When we listen to the body, its responses can sometimes be surprising.

31/03/2026

⏰Has the clock change got you feeling a bit discombobulated? 🥱

Here’s an interesting article exploring the physiological and larger societal impact of Day light savings!

Loosing an hour results in reduced melatonin production at ‘bed time’ and that feeling of ‘running to catch up with the day’!

Many of my clients find CST helpful in supporting good sleep and adjusting to the transitions that life throws at us ❤️

Supporting your nervous system to settle in to the new rhythm can really help you get the most out of your days and nights 💪🏻

Changing the clocks is linked to a plethora of health impacts – from heart attacks to car crashes.

27/03/2026

A little about me 😊

I’m Ileana, I’m a mum of two, a wife, and until recently I spent 11 years in the ambulance service - starting on the road and later becoming a team leader. Caring for people in difficult moments has always been at the heart of what I do.

My journey into Craniosacral Therapy began when my daughter struggled with severe silent reflux. CST made a huge difference for her, and I found myself both relieved… and deeply curious. That curiosity quickly turned into something much bigger.

Last year, I made the decision to leave the ambulance service and fully commit to training as a Craniosacral Therapist and building my own practice (Heartwood). I’m now in my second year, and I genuinely love every part of it -learning, practicing, and continuing to grow.

My goal is simple: to become the best therapist I can be, and to offer a space where you feel safe, heard, and supported. 🌿

Photo credit: Crisp Sandwich Studio
Graphics: Monkhouse Designs

25/03/2026

This week and next week are FULLY BOOKED

Appointments available in April, including bank holiday Monday 🌻

21/03/2026

For those of you that would love to know more about how CST works, or even learn some bits and bobs you can do at home for yourself - my lovely friends over at Taylored-fit Physio have an introduction to CST running in May. You will get some basic theory and hands on practice - it’s a great weekend for anyone who is intrigued by CST and wants to learn more ❤️

17/03/2026

These are just a few little snippets from some recent reviews 💛

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to share their experience of Craniosacral Therapy. It truly means a lot, not just to me, but to others who might be considering coming along for a session.

If you’re curious about how CST can feel, have a little scroll through the reviews on Google (https://share.google/rSCXXIBNPbLL6vTIo) and Facebook. Hearing from real people can often give a much clearer sense of what to expect 💆🏼

And if you’ve had a session with me and feel comfortable sharing, I’d be so grateful if you added your voice too. Your experience might be really helpful to someone else 😊.

14/03/2026

Just heading home after a really inspiring week of training in Leeds. My days were filled with hands-on practical learning and my evenings were spent diving into the theory (which is why I’ve been a little quieter on here than usual!) 📚

I’m really looking forward to bringing everything I’ve been learning back into the treatment room from Monday.

I currently have a cancellation appointment available on Friday 20th, and a couple of spaces in the last week of March.

💆🏽‍♀️If you’ve been thinking about trying Craniosacral Therapy, or feel like your body could do with a little support, this could be a lovely time to come in.
Head over to the website to book or Send me a message if you’d like to know more 😊

07/03/2026

I’ve had the most wonderful first week back after celebrating my birthday and spending half term with the littles. It’s been so lovely easing back into sessions again. ✨

Next week I’m heading to Leeds for more training 📚 and I’m really looking forward to continuing to deepen my practice.

If you’re hoping to get a session in before Easter, I still have a few appointments available in the last week of March:

• Wednesday 25th
• Friday 27th

Head over to the website to book, or drop me a message if you can’t find a time that works for you 😊

Ileana Richards is a Student Craniosacral Therapist - Heartwood Craniosacral Therapy offers gentle, supportive CST treatments from clinics based in Chopwell and Prudhoe - North East, UK.

27/02/2026

🌿 CranioSacral Therapy & Chronic Pain

A large-scale systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders confirms that CranioSacral Therapy (CST) significantly helps reduce chronic pain.

✔️ Gentle
✔️ Non-invasive
✔️ Scientifically supported

As the healthcare community looks for sustainable solutions to chronic pain, CST is emerging as a powerful complementary therapy.

📖 Read the full studyhttps://www.iahe.com/storage/docs/articles/Craniosacral-therapy-for-chronic-pain.pdf

23/02/2026

🌼Spring is just around the corner and I’ll be open on Easter Monday to celebrate! 🐣

🕣 I’ve also extended my opening times, where possible, to offer you earlier/later appointments. If you can’t find a time that works for you just drop me a message and I’ll see what we can do 😊

Looking forward to seeing you soon: www.heartwoodcst.com