Craniosacral Therapy in San Francisco
Gentle, fully clothed hands-on therapy from Suzanne Lange, DACM, L.Ac, CMT, often woven into an acupuncture visit in a calm Cow Hollow room.
Rated 5.0 on GoogleLicensed acupuncturists
- Practitioner
- Suzanne Lange, DACM, L.Ac, CMT
- The touch
- Very light, still and unhurried
- What you wear
- Your own comfortable clothes
- Afterwards
- Most feel relaxed; some feel a little tired
What our patients say
5.0 on Google from 92 reviews
I was introduced to Andrew by a friend who dubbed him as nothing short of magical. After experiencing his expertise firsthand, I couldn't agree more. Andrew's mastery of the human body and its intricacies truly feels like a kind of magic. I've been to other specialists for my chronic upper back and neck pain, but Andrew is different. He focuses on treating the actual problem, not just masking the symptoms. For the first time, I walked out of an acupuncture session and went back to exercising without feeling any pain. It was a game-changer. I feel as if I've been given a brand new back. Honestly, I never thought a life without back pain was possible until now. While I was also working with Andew some other health issues came up that couldn’t be diagnosed by western medicine. His thoughtful and holistic approach immediately made me feel understood and valued. Throughout our sessions, he would patiently explain the various points he was working on or the sensations I was experiencing, shedding light on what was going on internally within my body. Thanks to him, I now have a deeper appreciation for how imbalances in one area can send ripples throughout the entire system. He was able to find the root cause, guiding me slowly but surely on the path to recovery. I feel blessed to have met Andrew, he really has changed my life and I’m grateful for that.
I would strongly (strongly!) recommend Acupuncture for Athletics for both athletes and non-athletes alike. Not only does Andrew help with injury recovery, pain management, and stress relief, but he creates a relaxing and positive environment that enhances the work that he does and leads you to feel better both physically and mentally after each visit. And beyond acupuncture and massage, Andrew goes the extra mile to provide guidance on how to address specific pain-points and injuries, or to simply ensure that you are feeling and performing your best. Again, I can't recommend Acupuncture for Athletics enough!
Andrew is amazing! Very caring and concerned about your health and well being. He genuinely is a very kind person.
Andrew is a cornerstone of my care team. He successfully unwinds my ills before they can become chronic problems.
I came to Andrew after nearly six excruciating months of not being able to run. I had a seemingly minor Achilles tendon injury that simply refused to heal, defying every modality I tried. I hoped Andrew, a specialist in sports injuries, could break the deadlock. The simple answer is that in three visits, I was running again, hardly able to believe my good fortune. The more complicated answer runs deeper. Andrew’s work doesn’t just address physical injury; he works on spiritual and emotional injury and stress too. I didn’t realize that my physical injury was bound up with emotional trauma, but he did, and he figured out how to disentangle them so the healing process could start. The process can be painful; emotional injuries that have lodged in your body have to work their way out through muscle and bone, like a physical illness. But it’s also both profound and unexpected. As another of Andrew’s clients said, he is a true healer.
There’s no one I trust more than Andrew to support my kids in their healing process if they’ve had a sports-related injury. As elite athletes, it’s so important that their knees, ankles and shoulders are well taken care of, and Andrew is our go-to for treatment of pain or injury and also guidance for best practices outside the treatment room to further help healing along. My daughter recently rolled her ankle and was ready for a painfully prolonged healing process when we took her into to see Andrew for a couple treatments before a tournament weekend. With his help, her recovery was amazing, allowing her to feel confident on her ankle. Thanks to Andrew, she was healthy enough to play without pain or exacerbating the injury. We are very grateful to have Andrew on speed dial when these types of injuries occur!
Andrew is fantastic! He is knowledgeable and provides specialized treatment for my chronic nerve pain. I highly recommend him.
Andrew is terrific. I saw him post shoulder surgery and it was very beneficial in getting pain free and full range of motion.
Andrew treated me over a period of about two years for hip and shoulder problems, and he was tremendously helpful. I was impressed with his knowledge and skill, not to mention wonderful “bedside manner” and especially his enthusiasm for staying current in his field.
I loved coming to Andrew. He was a lifesaver in helping me through some back issues when I was pregnant with my first child. A lovely, warm place and Andrew is amazing!!!!
Andrew is a fantastic alternative and addition to physical therapy. He quickly understands your condition and treats it effectively.
Andrew introduced me to a form of healing which, after years of competitive long distance running and many injuries, I am more than thankful to have discovered! My latest injury, a small tear in my left hamstring, sidelined me for a number of months. After trying rest, physical therapy and anti-inflammatories with little results, I finally met Andrew. His approach from the very beginning was completely methodical, precise and extremely professional. Right away the pain eased, and I felt my body finally respond to treatment. Andrew was instrumental in healing my hamstring, and I trust that his acupuncture/massage techniques will keep me healthy and, importantly, keep me running for many decades and miles.
Slow, quiet hands-on care for a body that needs to settle.
Craniosacral therapy, often shortened to CST, is one of the gentlest forms of bodywork there is. You lie on a treatment table in your own clothes while the practitioner rests their hands lightly on your head, neck, ribcage, low back and sacrum, holding each area for a while. There's no deep pressure, cracking or stretching.
At our clinic, craniosacral therapy is given by Suzanne Lange, DACM, L.Ac, CMT. She trained in craniosacral therapy and SomatoEmotional Release during her years as a massage therapist and blends gentle bodywork with acupuncture. It's part of our wider Chinese medicine and wellness care.
What is craniosacral therapy?
Craniosacral therapy grew out of cranial osteopathy, which began in the early 1900s, and was developed into its current form by the osteopathic physician John Upledger in the 1970s. The name comes from the cranium (skull) and the sacrum (the flat bone at the base of the spine).
Practitioners use a very light touch to ease tension in the connective tissue, or fascia, around the head, spine and pelvis. Cleveland Clinic describes it as a gentle, hands-on technique that releases tension in this connective tissue network.
We think of CST simply as slow, attentive touch that helps many people's nervous systems shift out of high alert. It suits people who feel wired or sore, and anyone who wants care without deep pressure.
What a craniosacral session feels like
There's nothing you need to do or feel. Here's how a session usually goes.
A short talk
We ask what brings you in, your health history and anything that affects safety, such as a recent head injury or a blood clot.
Settling in
You lie down, usually face up, fully clothed, with a pillow or bolster for comfort. The room is quiet and softly lit.
Light holds
Hands rest at your head, neck, ribs, belly, low back or feet for several minutes at a time. People describe warmth, tingling, small releases or simply drifting off. Feeling nothing in particular is normal too.
Afterwards
Most people feel calm and heavy. Some feel tired, lightheaded or briefly sore. Drink water, get up slowly and keep the rest of the day easy if you can.
What the research says
The most encouraging research on craniosacral therapy is for long-term pain.
A 2019 meta-analysis of 10 trials with 681 people with chronic pain found CST improved pain and function more than usual care right after treatment, and more than sham treatment at six months.
We use it because many people find it deeply calming, it's very low risk, and it fits naturally alongside acupuncture. Results vary from person to person, and if it isn't helping you after a fair trial, we'll change the plan.
Why people come for it
- Tension headaches and a tight neck
- Jaw clenching and facial tension
- Long-term pain that hasn't settled
- Feeling wired, stressed or unable to switch off
- Wanting bodywork without deep pressure
Craniosacral therapy, massage and acupuncture
Three different ways of working with the body, and we often use them together.
| Compared on | Craniosacral therapy | Massage | Acupuncture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touch | Very light, mostly still holds | Moving pressure, from light to deep | Fine needles at chosen points |
| Clothing | Fully clothed | Varies with the technique; you're always covered | Loose clothing that rolls up, or draping |
| Pace | Slow and quiet | Steady, working through areas | Needles in, then a rest |
| Often chosen for | Calming the system, sensitive or sore bodies | Tight, overworked muscle | Pain, stress, sleep and recovery |
How we combine it with acupuncture
Craniosacral work is usually part of a visit rather than the whole of it, chosen after your assessment.
- Suzanne Lange, DACM, L.Ac, CMTBlends gentle bodywork, craniosacral therapy and SomatoEmotional Release with acupuncture, at a pace that suits you.
- HeadachesGentle work at the neck and base of the skull alongside needling for tension headaches.
- Jaw pain and TMJLight holds around the jaw and head to help clenched muscles let go.
- Stress and anxietyA slow, quiet session can help a busy mind settle before or after acupuncture.
What is SomatoEmotional Release?
SomatoEmotional Release grew out of craniosacral therapy. It works on the idea that stress and difficult experiences can show up as tension in the body, and it leaves room for feelings that sometimes surface during quiet bodywork. It isn't a substitute for counseling, and we'll suggest a mental health professional if that would serve you better.
Is craniosacral therapy safe?
Because the touch is so light, craniosacral therapy is considered very low risk. Cleveland Clinic lists the possible side effects as dizziness, tiredness, lightheadedness and mild discomfort, and these usually pass quickly.
It's also gentle enough for many people who can't tolerate deeper bodywork. If you're pregnant, tell us when you book; Suzanne's training includes pregnancy and postpartum care, and we'll adapt your positioning and treatment.
CST isn't a replacement for medical care. A sudden, severe or unusual headache, new numbness or weakness, or symptoms after a head injury need a doctor first.
We may wait or adapt if you have
- A recent head injury or concussion
- A recent blood clot
- Brain swelling or a brain aneurysm
- A Chiari malformation
- Any condition affecting fluid pressure around the brain or spine
Pricing and booking
Craniosacral work is usually part of an acupuncture visit with Suzanne. If you'd like a session focused mainly on craniosacral therapy, please call us at (415) 646-1862 first so we can check availability and pricing.
We don't bill insurance, but we provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. We accept HSA and FSA cards and all credit cards, and gift certificates are available. New to acupuncture? Here's what an acupuncture session involves. We're on Webster Street in Cow Hollow.
Appointments
- 60-min initial acupuncture & assessment
- $225
- 45-min acupuncture follow-up
- $195
- 60-min acupuncture/massage combo
- $225
- 75-min acupuncture/massage combo
- $265
- 90-min acupuncture/massage combo
- $300
Craniosacral therapy FAQ
What is craniosacral therapy good for?
People most often come for tension headaches, neck and jaw tension, long-term pain and stress, or because they want bodywork without deep pressure. A 2019 meta-analysis of 10 trials found CST improved chronic pain and function, and many people simply find it deeply relaxing. Results vary from person to person.
Does craniosacral therapy actually work?
Studies on chronic pain are encouraging. A 2019 meta-analysis of 10 trials with 681 people found improvements in pain and function, with a benefit over sham treatment still seen at six months. We offer it as a gentle, low-risk addition to acupuncture. Results vary from person to person, and we'll estimate how many sessions you need after your assessment.
What does craniosacral therapy feel like?
The touch is very light and mostly still. Many people feel warmth, tingling, small releases of tension or deep relaxation, and some fall asleep. It's also normal to feel nothing in particular during the session.
Do I stay clothed during craniosacral therapy?
Yes. You stay fully dressed, so wear something soft and comfortable. You'll lie on a padded treatment table, usually face up, with pillows or bolsters for support.
How is craniosacral therapy different from massage?
Massage uses moving pressure to work through tight muscle. Craniosacral therapy uses very light, still holds, mostly at the head, spine and pelvis, and the pace is much slower and quieter.
Can craniosacral therapy be combined with acupuncture?
Yes, and that's how we usually use it. Suzanne is a licensed acupuncturist as well as a certified massage therapist, so craniosacral holds can be part of the same visit as acupuncture, chosen after your assessment.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies with what you're coming in for and how you respond. Some people notice a difference after one visit, while others prefer regular sessions. We'll give you an estimate after your assessment and review it as we go.
Are there side effects or reasons not to have it?
Side effects are uncommon and mild: dizziness, tiredness, lightheadedness or mild discomfort. We may wait or adapt treatment if you've had a recent head injury, concussion or blood clot, or have brain swelling, an aneurysm, a Chiari malformation or another condition affecting fluid pressure around the brain or spine.
How much does craniosacral therapy cost?
Craniosacral work is usually part of an acupuncture or combo visit. A 60-minute initial acupuncture and assessment is $225, a 45-minute follow-up is $195 and a 60-minute acupuncture/massage combo is $225. Please call about sessions focused mainly on craniosacral therapy. We provide a superbill and accept HSA and FSA cards.
Where can I get craniosacral therapy in San Francisco?
Suzanne Lange, DACM, L.Ac, CMT, offers craniosacral therapy at 2920 Webster Street, a short walk from the Marina and Pacific Heights. It's gentle, fully clothed work, often woven into an acupuncture visit. Read more about our care near the Marina.
Is it practical to come from Marin, Oakland or Berkeley?
Yes, we see patients from Marin, Oakland and Berkeley as well as from across San Francisco. Most people feel relaxed after craniosacral work, so if you're driving home over a bridge, give yourself a few quiet minutes before you set off. Book online to see Suzanne's available times.
Ready for some quiet, gentle care?
Book with Suzanne at our Cow Hollow clinic, or call us with questions first.
Visit us in Cow Hollow
2920 Webster Street, between Union and Filbert. A short walk from the Marina, Pacific Heights and the Presidio.
Address
Acupuncture for Athletics2920 Webster Street
San Francisco, CA 94123 Gate code: in your booking confirmation email
Hours
- Every day
- 7:30am – 9:00pm