11416 Slater Avenue Northeast, Ste 100A, Kirkland, Washington 98033, United States
Angela Zappone 206-498-7763
Craniosacral for Relaxation & Tension Release
A Gentle Touch for tension and fascial release and to support Optimal Health and wellbeing.
Gentle Healing...Craniosacral Therapy
The body, mind and spirit are greatly interconnected. What effects one will influence the others. Angie sees this daily as a Doula, CranioSacral Therapist and Minister. Both mental and physical stresses can be held in the tissues, and these stressors may have a profound effect on health and function. We have a vast innate ability to balance and self-heal, and often just need a gentle "nudge" to open restrictions and release areas of pain, scars, and inflammation to restore overall health and well-being. That's where craniosacral therapy and Somatoemotional work come in...
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a very “light touch” therapy used to evaluate and enhance the natural rhythm of the Craniosacral System and to support overall health. The Craniosacral system is comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Supporting the craniosacral system aids in detoxification, releases stress, and nourishes the brain. Because the CS system contains the cerebral spinal fluid, it follows the rules of fluid dynamics…a small force in one area can be transmitted up and down the entire Craniosacral system. Craniosacral therapy uses the lightest touch, warmth and intention to soften and release fascia and restrictions, alleviating tensions, reducing stress and supporting the entire nervous system and overall health.
Through fascia, the Craniosacral System interconnects with the entire body from head to toes. Fascia is collagen-like tissue that covers and envelops the body. Its like a giant sheet with folds and pockets for organs, joints and bones. Abnormal tensions in one area of fascia, can pull and negatively impact other areas. Collagen fibers are the information highway of our own electrical communication system. Restrictions in these tissues can block communication, trigger disease and pain, and keep the body in a perpetual state of “Fight or Flight.” Gently releasing these abnormal tensions can positively influence not just the pain symptoms, but the central nervous system itself! Craniosacral therapy is gentle, yet powerful, allowing the body to release, relax, and re-balance without eliciting a "rebound" or guarding response in the tissues.
Angie has taken advanced CranioSacral coursework with a focus on SomatoEmotional Release (SER) and working in the intraoral cavity. Tongue-ties can cause significant tension in the mouth, head and neck. Cranio and SER helps address these abnormal tensions in the entire Orofacial Complex. Tissues hold both physical and emotional restrictions, craniosacral therapy and somatoemotional release work can help release trapped emotional and physical tensions stored in the body. Angie is a non-denominational minister which helps facilitate her somatoemotional release work.
Angie has also taken additional coursework for infants and pediatric craniosacral therapy and is a certified Lactation Educator and is working on her certification with IBCLC as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
Tongue-ties, Orofacial Tension & Craniosacral Therapy
The Craniosacral System (CS) possesses its own physiological rhythm (similar to breathing or pulse). Therapists use this CS rhythm to assess and treat issues in the fascia and craniosacral system. Its boundaries are formed by the 3 protective connective tissue layers of the brain and spinal cord called the meningeal membranes.
As cerebral spinal fluid flows into the membranes surrounding the brain; the skull, body and tissues widen and rotate externally. When pressure accumulates, valve-like structures called arachnoid villa allow fluid to flow out of the membranes surrounding the brain and return to the venous blood system causing the body to narrow, lengthen and internally rotate. Because the CS system acts as a semi-enclosed, hydraulic system it obeys the law of fluid dynamics. Pressure in one area is transmitted to others so multiple areas are influenced by craniosacral release
Within the skull and spine bony anchors attach to the outer membrane. These function as hard places that can be used for treatment and diagnosis. The dural tube envelops and protects the spinal cord and travels out the base of the skull and firmly attaches into the sacrum. This functional and anatomical connection between the occiput and sacrum is called the “core link.” The craniosacral motion of the occiput and sacrum mime each other, and tensions on one bone are directly transmitted to the other.
Fascia & Fascial Continuity
From a functional point of view, fascia can be viewed as a single continuous sheet of connected tissue that extends without interruption from the top of the head to the tips of the toes. It contains pockets which allow for the body’s internal organs, muscles and skeletal structures. It also contains fascial tubes which allow for the passage of the central nervous system (yes, the meningeal membranes are comprised of fascia and are part of the continues system connecting the entire body).
When working with tongue-tie restrictions, remembering fascial continuity and orofacial anatomy helps us better understand the postural tension, head, neck, jaw, and low back pain that many with tongue-ties describe. The frenum (tongue-tie) is mucosa and fascia and intersects with muscle fibers. Anatomically 4 muscles attach the tongue to bone or tissue in the haed & neck; genioglossus, hypoglossus, styloglossus, palatoglossus. There is direct tension transmitted to the temporal bone and hyoid from the lingual frenum, and fascia from the hyoid continues to C1 and interconnects to muscles and fascia that extend to the head and jaws and down through the hyoid in the upper neck, to the scalene and clavicles leading to the shoulders and so on…
Physical constrictions, as well as emotional tension and stress can be held in the tissues. Craniosacral therapy & SER seek to address both. Anxiety, stress, inattention, exhaustion, bruxing are just a few common symptoms with tongue-ties. From an airway and myofunctional viewpoint, we know underdeveloped jaws and restricted airway can play a significant role in symptoms. Additionally, a craniosacral therapist would evaluate the potential tensions in the dural tube and central nervous system so we can help facilitate release and healing.
The potential physical, functional, and emotional impacts of restrictive tongue- ties highlights the importance of assessing whether ankyloglossia is contributing to tensions & orofacial myofunctional disorders. Without evaluating and addressing its influence, any bodywork relief will likely last only a short time.