Techniques Used in Craniosacral Therapy
A focused mix of craniosacral therapy and supportive techniques, chosen to reduce pain, restore movement, and calm the nervous system. Every session in our Midtown Manhattan office is tailored to your goals, comfort, and response to care.
Dr. Alex Kaminsky, D.C. · Certified Craniosacral Therapist · Midtown Manhattan
Hands-on, gentle, non-invasive care for infants, children, teens, and adults, with no cracking, machines, or forceful manipulation.
How techniques are chosen for you
There is no single recipe for a session. Every visit begins with careful listening and a hands-on assessment, and the techniques are selected based on your symptoms, your goals, and how your body responds while you are on the table. The aim is always the same: to reduce pain, restore comfortable movement, and help calm the nervous system so the body is more willing to release and heal.
Dr. Kaminsky blends craniosacral therapy with a broad set of supportive manual methods, combining them as needed rather than applying every technique to every person. This keeps care focused and comfortable, and lets the work adapt as your body changes from visit to visit.
What guides each visit
- A hands-on evaluation to locate restrictions and the compensation patterns around them.
- Gentle, non-forceful work designed to settle the nervous system.
- No machines or gimmicks, just focused manual care.
- Clear home guidance and follow-up options when they are helpful.
If you are new to this kind of work, the first visit page explains what to expect, and the follow-up session page describes how care progresses over time.
Foundational hands-on methods
These are the primary techniques used to restore balance within the craniosacral system and the tissues around it. Each one is gentle and manual, and they are often layered together within a single session.
- Craniosacral therapy to assess the craniosacral rhythm and release restrictions around the brain and spinal cord.
- Cranial osteopathy, the tradition craniosacral therapy grew out of, used to support subtle cranial motion.
- Myofascial release to ease adhesions and restrictions in connective tissue and muscle.
- Visceral manipulation to support the natural motion of the internal organs.
- Lymphatic drainage to reduce congestion and swelling and support recovery.
Supportive and complementary methods
Methods added when appropriate
- Vagus nerve toning to support a calmer stress response and balanced nervous-system function.
- Somato Emotional Release when the body is holding physical patterns linked to stored emotional experience.
- Breathing techniques to help stabilize nervous-system tone, both in session and at home.
- Chiropractic care when structural alignment needs more direct attention.
Not every technique is used every visit, sessions are customized.
What a session feels like
Sessions are quiet, focused, and hands-on. The work moves at a comfortable pace, with time for questions and feedback along the way.
- Gentle touch with subtle adjustments, never forceful manipulation.
- Attention to pain relief, mobility, and nervous-system regulation.
- Clear communication to keep you comfortable and safe throughout.
Care is progress-based. Dr. Kaminsky tracks how you respond, adjusts the techniques as needed, and discusses follow-up visits based on your goals.
Craniosacral therapy and the related methods described here are gentle, non-invasive, and complementary to medical care. They do not diagnose, cure, or replace evaluation and treatment by a physician, and individual results vary. If you or your child has warning signs such as a high or persistent fever, a recent head injury, severe or sudden pain, or new neurological symptoms, please see a physician promptly.
Training behind the techniques
Dr. Alex Kaminsky, D.C., is a Certified Craniosacral Therapist who maintains a continuous commitment to advanced training. The techniques offered in the office are backed by completed coursework and certifications across craniosacral therapy, somato emotional release, visceral manipulation, and related fields.
Completed coursework and certifications
- Advanced craniosacral therapy, including CS1, CS2, and the Upledger Institute techniques level (CST-T) certification.
- Craniosacral therapy for pediatrics (CSP1 and CSP2) and craniosacral therapy for the cranial nerves (CSNN1).
- Craniosacral therapy touching the brain (CTTB1), and CST clinical assessment and applications.
- Applying acupuncture principles to craniosacral therapy (UMAC1).
- Somato Emotional Release levels 1 and 2 (SER1 and SER2).
- Visceral manipulation of the abdomen (VM1) with The Barral Institute.
- Vagus nerve toning.
- Webster technique certificate of proficiency from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), with ICPA membership.
- Sacro-Occipital Technique organization membership.
- Myofascial mobilization and Kinesio taping coursework through Kinesio University.
- BioSonic repatterning practitioner training.
- Manipulation under anesthesia, a 36-hour continuing education program at the Southern California University of Health Sciences.
You can read more about Dr. Kaminsky's background and approach on the about Dr. Kaminsky page, or learn how these methods fit together on the about craniosacral therapy page.
Frequently asked questions
How are techniques chosen for each session?
Every visit begins with careful listening and a hands-on assessment. Dr. Kaminsky selects techniques based on your symptoms, goals, and how your body responds during the session. Not every technique is used at every visit, sessions are customized.
Are these techniques forceful?
No. The work is gentle, light-touch, and non-invasive, with no cracking, machines, or forceful manipulation. Clear communication ensures you are comfortable throughout.
Is craniosacral therapy a replacement for medical care?
No. Craniosacral therapy and the related methods used in the office are complementary to medical care. They do not diagnose, cure, or replace evaluation and treatment by a physician. Results vary from person to person.
What training does Dr. Kaminsky have in these techniques?
Dr. Alex Kaminsky is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Certified Craniosacral Therapist with extensive continuing education in craniosacral therapy, somato emotional release, visceral manipulation, the Webster technique, vagus nerve toning, and related methods.
Ready to plan your care?
Call the office or send a request. The practice will follow up to discuss your questions, availability, and next steps.