Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist

craniosacral therapy in Cheltenham & Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

Welcome to The Still Place

Restore, Revitalise, Reconnect

Welcome, and thank you for visiting The Still Place. My name is Leigh McLean and I am a Craniosacral Therapist in Cheltenham & Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.

07984011580
EMAIL

What is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy?

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy is an exceptionally gentle, non-invasive, and yet very powerful form of treatment that interacts with the body’s deepest inherent healing forces, both emotionally and physiologically.

The body has powerful self-healing potential which can be encouraged to counteract the effect of injury, disease, trauma, or stress. Craniosacral therapy offers a safe space, where these kinds of challenges can be processed, and the body’s natural balance and overall health can be restored. It strengthens the body’s resources and its ability to regulate and prioritize its needs, and the client will often feel brighter, calmer and naturally start to orient to a healthier lifestyle.

We all have an inherent intelligence present from conception, which stays with us throughout our lives, and every cell in our bodies is naturally inclined to seek out balance and health. There is always health to orient to.

"The natural healing force in each one of us is the greatest in getting well."

Hippocrates

Who is it for?

This treatment uses a very gentle light touch, is so non-invasive, it is suitable for all ages, from newly born babies, to pregnant and post-natal women, children and teens, to those well into their later years, and everyone in between.


"Touch comes before sight, before the speech. It is the first language and the last, and it always tells the truth."

Margaret Atwood - poet

“Get out of your head & into your body & let’s see what the system knows how to do.”

Dr. John Upledger

"Beneath the surface of the protective parts of trauma survivors there exists an undamaged essence, a Self that is confident, curious, and calm, a Self that has been sheltered from destruction by various protectors in the body to ensure survival. Once those protectors TRUST that it is SAFE to separate, the Self will spontaneously emerge, and the parts can be enlisted in the healing process."

Bessel Van Der Kolk

The Body Keeps the Score

What conditions respond well to craniosacral therapy?


  • Birth trauma, c-section & epidural recovery
  • Post-partum, pelvic floor issues
  • Colic / reflux in babies
  • Post tongue-tie settling
  • Bonding & attachment
  • Anxiety in all ages
  • Pain management
  • Nervous system regulation
  • Tinnitus
  • Support during orthodontic treatment
  • Digestive problems, IBS, Crohn's
  • Fatigue
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Epilepsy
  • Pre and post surgery support (hip/knee replacements, dental work)
  • General aches and pains
  • Backache
  • Headaches / migraines
  • Auto-immune disorders
  • Accidents - healing from whiplash, etc.


Pregnancy, Babies, Children & Teenagers

Pregnancy and birth are one of life’s most profound events and craniosacral therapy can offer help with easing into family life.

Expectant & New Mums:

Craniosacral work can offer support at a time of rapid change and is ideal for sorting out old aches and pains, as well as preparing the body for birth, as the bones are more flexible, and health is usually at the optimum.

Craniosacral therapy can support

  • Pre-pregnancy health and fertility, as well as senstivitly support couples undergoing fertility treatement.
  • Preparing your body for the birth of your baby,
  • Post-partum healing, changes, anxiety
  • Pelvic floor recovery,
  • Musculoskeletal changes after birth.

Babies:

I work extensively with babies and hold a gentle but grounded presence to enable both physical and emotional healing for not only baby, but for mum and dad too.

Babies hitchhike on the nervous systems of those closest to them, and so it is vitally important for me to help where I can to fascilitate a calm and cohesive environment for baby to be included in. This will more often than not include a session or two with mum as the bond is incredibly strong not only pre-birth but after too, and both mum and baby benefit.

The term 'Madonna's Cloak' is often used to describe this beautiful and sacred connection.

I strongly encourage dads to attend initial appointments as mum, dad and baby all bring their unique and valid perspectives, which help with treatment and healing. The protective and supportive role of dads & partners can never be undervalued.

Babies' systems are so potent and ready to shift easily back to balance – sometimes, just a little support is needed.

Common reasons for bringing a baby in are:

  • Difficult births with prolonged or very fast labour
  • Significant bruising around their head after birth
  • Sleep and feeding issues, latch etc.
  • Colic/reflux
  • Constipation
  • Baby has a head position preference/torticollis or breastfeeding is painful on one side
  • Post tongue-tie surgery
  • Irritability, difficulty settling or cries a lot
  • Bonding with parents and siblings

During treatment, baby does not have to lie on the treatment couch but can be comfortably treated on Mum’s lap or while nursing. This becomes more flexible as babies get a little older.


Childen and Teenagers:

I have been a primary school teacher for the past 28 years and this experience has enhanced my connection, grounding presence, and awareness of the needs of young people, including those on the neurodiverse spectrum.

Increasingly, children of ALL ages are suffering from stress, anxiety, and attention difficulties. This seems to be partly from school pressures, but also due to busy lifestyles, as well as environmental toxicity, screen use and electromagnetic fields.

Teenagers can have a really difficult time as their bodies and brains show rapid development towards adulthood, this period of change often goes hand in hand with general fatigue and anxiety. Many teens are also undergoing intensive orthodontic treatment. Craniosacral therapy can help the body to integrate these changes gently.

Regular treatment can help to strengthen a child’s nervous system, improve sleep and nurture confidence, as well as help with some difficulties relating to concentration and learning.

Craniosacral Therapy works very well alongside conventional treatment and is not intended to replace a medical diagnosis or treatment. The work of new science and new findings are now showing us that we are far more than just a physical body, and that our emotions, mental health and entire field around us contribute to our overall health and wellbeing.

Many of these new insights and findings are now recognised and researched through the bona fide scientific channels of enquiry of neuroscience, fascia, and quantum physics.

'Therapeutic support for babies offers one of the greatest opportunities in health care. Infancy represents and exceptionally auspicious time for setting an optimal course for ALL that follows.'

John Chitty

What to expect in a session?

As craniosacral therapists, we are trained to listen deeply to the health of the body through a hands-on gentle touch.

A clear understanding of the anatomy and an approach of careful, non-judgmental, and neutral listening provide the opportunity for the body to clarify its needs.

Initially, there will be a detailed and sensitive discussion of your history and your reasons for coming for craniosacral therapy. The first appointment for babies is a 90 minute one and is split between an introductory zoom chat where I take a case history. The follow up appointment is then in person.

During the treatment, clientsremain clothed and will usually lie face-up or on their side on a treatment table.

I will gently use my hands to respectfully make contact with your body, and listen to its various systems, as well as the more subtle energetic qualities of Primary Respiration.

The body functions as an integrated whole, so I may focus on areas other than where your symptoms are, as pain and inertia can often be referred from other parts of the body.

During sessions, clients often feel, a sense of ease, deep relaxation, stillness, warmth, tingling, increased energy, a sense of feeling more alive, balanced, and heard.

“Deep listening is the kind of listening that can relieve the suffering of another person.”

Thick Nhat Hanh

How many sessions & how much?

There is no set number of sessions. Some people find relief from their symptoms after one or two treatments. If there are significant health issues, I may recommend weekly or two weekly treatments to achieve optimum benefit. This will be reviewed regularly between myself and the client.

Sessions last about an hour for adults, for children it is about 30-40 minutes. Post-partum treatments involve baby AND mum (and dad when possible) and these are negotiated at the time, and as needs arise.


I hold an up to date Paediatric First Aid Certificate.

Location

The Still Place Private Practice


I work out of Tewkesbury and Cheltenham.

Please get in touch for exact location details.

Contact me via email or text to enquire.

My Journey

I am a trained Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist, and have been a primary school teacher for 28 years.

I have enjoyed teaching many children with a wide range of needs and abilities. I am mindful of the marked increase in anxiety, attention difficulties and general struggles experienced by youngsters in today's world. The vast and complex field of neurodiversity in which we all fit, compels me to help with these related difficulties, at an earlier and much deeper level than what can be addressed in a classroom setting.

And so, I trained as a Craniosacral Therapist, and I am passionate about the work. The results are astounding and are achieved gently and respectfully, working with the client’s system, without placing any forced intention or pressures on the physiology. The body knows how to orient to perfect health, and sometimes only a little support is needed.

My own case history:

I first encountered Craniosacral therapy after the very difficult birth of my first child. We both had a traumatic time, and were left traumatised. My baby developed colic and feeding difficulties to name a few.

When my daughter was 6, I was told about craniosacral therapy and took her immediately for treatment. The effect for her was almost immediate. She fell asleep during her first session, and it was apparent that the therapist offered her relief from left-over birth trauma to her head and skull bones, from being stuck in the pelvis. As the sessions progressed, she showed a calmness, was not as fretful or irritable, and was able to have her hair washed (which was usually a very traumatic experience!) Her concentration improved at school, as well as her general well being.

Looking back, I wish I’d known about this gentle supportive therapy while I was pregnant. It would have helped prepare my body for childbirth, helped with any associated anxiety, and most certainly helped new parents with all those evenings of trying to calm a screaming infant with a chronic tummy ache from colic. My daughter would have also been able to breastfeed without the difficulty of latching on, which was painful for her at the time.

I am passionate about helping all my clients but hold a particular interest & experience in working with babies, children and teenagers.

Cranio Testimonials

“My first CST session with Leigh was profound. I have had CST in my life for 12 years through various practitioners and have to say that I LOVE the way Leigh works. The session was led with an incredible sense of calm and confidence.

Leigh had a deep connection with what was needed throughout the session and gave me some valuable insights on my current health. 24 hours later I am feeling unusually calm (for me) and my symptoms have been non-existent! I can't wait for my next session!

“I have been experiencing extreme anxiety and IBS. Leigh helped me to understand that these two are related. She has helped my nervous system to a calmer place and we are working on my IBS and food issues. I have already seen an improvement after only two sessions. Leigh has also taught me all about my vagus nerve and how it works. I am learning breathing exercises and with her help, I am really getting on top of my anxiety and tummy issues.

“I have been struggling with anxiety and stomach health problems since I was a child. Leigh has helped me with my colitis and also helped to calm my nerves. She has given me some self-help ideas to use to manage my own anxiety and she helped me to understand the anviety and gut health are linked together. I love the sessions with her as I feel so much calmer and able to make decisions.

“I recently took my newborn son to see Leigh after he had his tongue tie snipped. She not only helped settle him down because his jaw and neck area seemed so tight, but she helped settle his fussiness. Leigh has a way with calming babies down. Following the sessions, he slept so well and we could all relax. Thank you so much Leigh.

“I brought my 8 week old baby girl who is struggling with colic to see Leigh to try Craniosacral therapy. She insisted on working on me as well, which I thought was strange. I now know why! Not only did she help with Emma's colic, but she helped to calm my own system too. Leigh showed me how close the connection is between mum and baby. As I calmed, Emma's system mirrored mine. AND I no longer have lower back ache from the epidural. After a difficult birth, am beginning to feel more like the old me. Leigh helped both of us and I'm so grateful.”

“We came to our 1st appt exhausted and desperate. My daughter, 11 had been suffering with restless arms, legs, neck and shoulders for weeks and trying to get her to sleep before midnight was just impossible. Leigh was so lovely and put us both at ease straight away. My daughter enjoyed the session and within 2 days her restlessness had completely subsided and she was asleep by 10pm. We had the odd flare up but nothing that bothered her too much. 4 sessions later and we are done, with the assurance that should it flare again we know exactly who we need to visit. You have given her back her ability to truly relax and restored peace. What you are able to do is truly life changing. Thank you x ”

“I had Craniosacral Therapy for a very painful shoulder. The injections given to me by my doctors helped for a short time, but the pain came back. I can honestly say I felt relief within the first session, and it has been so much better since. I wholeheartedly recommend Leigh and Craniosacral Therapy. It is truly the way to better health.”

Get in Touch

Contact me if you have any questions about how therapy works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to therapy, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.


You can also call or text l me on 07984011580 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have before arranging an initial appointment.


For the quickest response, please use mobile no and leave a message or drop me a text.

Kind Regards,

Leigh

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