Meet Palma: The Healing Power Behind CranioSacral Therapy
/I sat down with Palma to learn more about her experience as a CranioSacral Therapist, what drew her to this work, and how this gentle yet powerful modality has made a meaningful impact in both her own life and the lives of her clients. With over two decades of hands-on experience and a deep commitment to continued learning, Palma brings a thoughtful, highly skilled approach to every session.
What made you want to become a CranioSacral Therapist?
Back in the 90’s I had a corporate career which was highly stressful and physically demanding. As a result, my health became negatively impacted and I began to suffer from debilitating migraine headaches. I decided to take some time off to seek out non traditional medical approaches to avoid having to rely on anti-pain medicines.
As I began my healing journey I tried many different types of therapies including CranioSacral Therapy. As my health improved and the migraine attacks eventually stopped, I wanted to learn more about holistic approaches to healing and decided to change careers. I was motivated to discover and learn new skills that could help me make a difference in my community.
How long have you been doing this?
In order to work in the field of manual therapy you need a license to “touch” so I pursued a license in massage therapy and became licensed 2002. This license allowed me to take classes in CST and other modalities which focus on the interconnectedness of the body’s systems and promotes self-healing and overall health.
I took my first CranioSacral class in 2005 and continue to take classes. I also assist in teaching classes and participate in work study groups on an ongoing basis.
Tell me more about those classes and your training.
My CranioSacral Therapy training has been through the Upledger Institute. CST was pioneered and developed by Dr. John Upledger following extensive work in the 70s and 80s at Michigan State. I have been fortunate to have taken classes with top instructors from the Institute.
While CranioSacral Therapy is the main modality I use in my sessions, I also incorporate other manual therapy modalities which I have studied over the years including Visceral Manipulation, Neural Manipulation, Total Body Balance and Dynamic Manual Interface.
For me, learning in this field continues to be a life long journey.
What are the most common issues clients come to you with?
CST is a treatment that releases tensions in the body so some clients see me to help reduce pain and improve whole-body health and wellness.
Other clients come to me with more complex conditions related to nervous system dysregulation. This can be caused by concussions or post-traumatic injuries to the body. Nervous system dysregulation can lead to gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular irregularities, respiratory difficulties, and even mood and cognitive challenges.
Craniosacral Therapy offers a gentle approach to supporting the vagus nerve, improving nervous system regulation, and promoting recovery from trauma. By targeting neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive functions, CST helps patients achieve better physical health, emotional resilience, and overall well-being. It is a valuable addition to integrative treatment plans for individuals with chronic pain, trauma, mood disorders, and neurological conditions.
What is your favorite part of being a CranioSacral Therapist?
I would say that being able to use my hands as tool to positively impact my clients’ quality of life and health is very gratifying. It is validating to be able to feel your client’s tissues change significantly from the beginning to the end of a session (for example, fascia becomes more supple, pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, and the qualities of the Craniosacral Rhythm improve.) This coupled with my clients’ positive feedback confirms that they feel the benefits of the session as well.
Whether you’re navigating chronic pain, stress, nervous system dysregulation, or simply looking to feel more balanced in your body, CranioSacral Therapy offers a gentle and deeply restorative approach to healing. Palma’s extensive training and compassionate care make her an exceptional guide in this work. If you’ve been curious about CranioSacral Therapy, this may be the perfect time to experience its benefits for yourself.