Support for
GRIEF & TRAUMA

In Missoula, Montana

CranioSacral Therapy can be a very helpful support for people who have experienced grief or traumatic life events. By addressing stuck patterns in the Central Nervous System, CranioSacral Therapy helps to release grief, restore balance, and reduce pain and stress. 

Ways That CranioSacral Therapy Can Help Relieve Grief and Trauma:

  • Releasing Physical and Emotional Effects:
    Research suggests that grief, trauma, and emotional impacts can be retained in the body. CST, particularly when combined with SomatoEmotional Release, can help to release these accumulated stresses and effects.

  • Balancing the Nervous System:
    CranioSacral Thearpy can help the autonomic nervous system transition out of sympathetic hyper-regulation (the "fight/flight/freeze" response) and regain parasympathetic balance, promoting self-regulation.

  • Promoting Relaxation and Stress Reduction:
    The gentle techniques of CranioSacral Therapy can help calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation, which can be beneficial in navigating the healing process of grief.

  • Supporting Emotional Release:
    As the nervous system becomes regulated, the body may feel safe enough to release pent-up emotions, such as crying or sighing, allowing for healing.

  • Working with the Vagus Nerve:
    CST works directly with the vagus nerve, which plays a role in regulating the nervous system's response to stress and trauma.

  • Adjunct to Other Therapies:
    CranioSacral Therapy can be used alongside talk therapy and other healing modalities, such as psychotherapy and EMDR to help individuals integrate their experiences and support recovery.  

 FAQs

  • Grief is a natural process we go through when we experience loss. Whether it's the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a major life change. Trauma, on the other hand, is the lasting emotional response to something deeply distressing. Both can affect your body as much as your mind. At Missoula Health and Wellness, we offer Craniosacral Therapy to gently support your nervous system as you move through grief or recover from trauma, helping your body release tension and find a sense of calm again.

  • We offer Craniosacral Therapy as a holistic approach to healing grief and trauma. This gentle, hands-on method works with the body’s natural rhythms to help release stored stress and emotional pain. It’s a supportive, non-invasive way to reconnect with your body and find relief from the weight that grief and trauma can leave behind. Many people find that sessions offer a deep sense of grounding and peace.

  • If you feel like talk therapy alone isn’t helping you fully process what you’re going through, or if you're carrying emotional pain that feels stuck in your body, Craniosacral Therapy may be a powerful complement. Some people prefer it when they’re not ready to talk yet. Others find it helps alongside counseling or support groups. It's especially helpful when grief or trauma shows up physically, like headaches, tightness, or nervous system overwhelm.

  • You might notice fatigue that won’t go away, trouble sleeping, tension in your jaw or back, digestive issues, or a constant sense of unease. These are common signs that your body is holding onto stress from grief or trauma. Craniosacral Therapy can help by gently releasing these patterns and allowing your body to shift out of "fight or flight" mode into a state of deeper rest and healing.

  • Craniosacral Therapy sessions at Missoula Health and Wellness are reasonably priced, and we offer a variety of payment options. While it’s not typically covered by insurance, we do everything we can to make holistic care accessible. If you’re unsure what you can afford, please reach out, and we can talk through your options with care and compassion.