From Stress Mode to Stillness

Hi Reader,

Since last September, I’ve been on a mission to accelerate my professional life. It’s 2.0 all the way baby.

Along with such ambition comes some degree of stress. Longer days, deadlines I’ve set for myself to accomplish “X” number of tasks per day, per week, and goals to reach. Let me not forget to add that I’m also a mom to a sixteen-year-old who is homeschooled. It’s not that I’m crazy, I just believe I can somehow manage it all. It’s a gift. Or maybe I really am out of my mind - lol.

I recently felt drawn to start using my Cranial Sacral Still Point tool to reset my nervous system and help with some tight muscles that can ruin a beautiful day. It’s been this way for the last eight months.

For anyone who has chronic pain, you know what it’s like to get through the day. You can’t help but say to yourself, “This really sucks!”

What is Cranial Sacral Therapy?

If you're new to Cranial Sacral Therapy, it’s a gentle, non-invasive manual technique rooted in Osteopathic medicine that works with the body’s natural rhythms and healing mechanisms. Rather than using forceful manipulation, the approach uses light touch to help release tension patterns within the nervous system, connective tissue, spine, and musculoskeletal system.

Osteopathic medicine is based on the understanding that the body’s structure and function are deeply interconnected. When the body is out of alignment — whether from chronic stress, injury, postural imbalances, or nervous system dysregulation — it can contribute to pain, restriction, fatigue, and reduced mobility.

One of the reasons I appreciate this approach so much is because it doesn’t try to force the body into healing. Instead, it works with the body’s innate intelligence to help restore balance, calm the nervous system, and support the body as an integrated whole.

It really is true that midlife physiology requires some degree of nervous system management. That’s not to say that at any other stage of life one doesn’t need support, but it feels like there is just so much more going on that having a practice that allows your body to decompress on a daily basis for at least 10 minutes makes a world of difference.

Rather than perceive it as some kind of flaw or defect, I would say that you become more sensitive to the world around you. My instincts are sharper and I have less tolerance for nonsense. That is something I definitely welcome. It’s a lot easier to let go of shit that doesn’t work for me anymore. As podcaster and author Mel Robbins says, “Let them.” That’s the title of one of her most successful books.

The Cost of Osteopathic Treatment

The cost of seeing a good Osteopathic doctor will range between $300 to $500 for the first visit, which generally lasts about an hour. It depends on where you live when it comes to cost. Follow-up visits are usually about half that amount, with sessions typically lasting between 45 to 60 minutes.

Whether this is covered by your health insurance depends upon your provider, but it is often an out-of-pocket expense.

Unfortunately, many holistic health care practices in America are still not covered by insurance, despite the profound benefits they can offer. Osteopathy can work wonders for musculoskeletal pain, nervous system regulation, and overall wellbeing. Personally, I believe one reason these approaches remain outside mainstream coverage is because they focus heavily on supporting the body’s natural healing processes rather than relying primarily on pharmaceuticals. Profits are often tied more closely to sick care than true health care.

How To Use a Still Point Inducer

The Still Point Inducer is cost-effective and easy to use if seeing an Osteopath isn’t currently in your budget.

All you need is comfortable, loose clothing, a quiet space, one or two pillows, and a floor. The pillows go under your knees.

When I place my Still Point Inducer at the base of my skull, during those first five minutes, I become acutely aware of how wound up I am. There is a sense of holding or bracing around my shoulder blades, my breathing isn’t deep and slow, and I’m still focused on finding the perfect position for my arms and legs, making subtle adjustments as I lay on my back on the floor. It’s fidgeting at its best.

At around the fifth or sixth minute, there’s a moment where you literally experience a profound sense of stillness and all the emotional armoring most of us do in our day-to-day lives to protect ourselves disappears. Poof! Just like that.

You go from being in a sympathetic (fight, flight, or freeze) state to a parasympathetic (rest and digest) state.

My breathing is now slow and my entire body feels like it has melted into the floor.

Healing begins when you are relaxed and feel safe.

That includes a cessation of mental chatter.

The Benefits of Consistent Relaxation Practices are Far Reaching

Modern life keeps many of us locked in a prolonged high-beta brain wave state — mentally alert, overstimulated, and constantly “on.” Over time, this can contribute to nervous system dysregulation, muscle tension, poor sleep, and a low-grade state of anxiety or hypervigilance.

This is one reason why nervous system-regulating practices like meditation, breathwork, cranial sacral therapy, prayer, time in nature, and restorative movement can feel so calming — they help shift the brain into slower wave states like alpha and theta, which are associated with relaxation, creativity, healing, and parasympathetic nervous system activity.

I generally set a timer because once I get into that deep alpha or theta brain wave state, I lose all sense of time. It just doesn’t matter.

Ten minutes is the minimum I recommend, and if you have more time, try 15 to 20 minutes.

Avoid using a standard alarm clock because the sound is jarring and can disrupt the calm state you just created for yourself. Instead, use an alarm on your phone where you can choose from a variety of soothing sounds to gently stir you back to the present moment.

Who Should Not Use a Still Point Inducer?

As gentle and non-invasive as Cranial Sacral Therapy and Still Point induction techniques are, there are certain situations where they may not be appropriate. Individuals with acute stroke, brain aneurysm, traumatic brain injury, active brain bleeding, increased intracranial pressure, certain seizure disorders, brain tumors, or other serious neurological conditions should consult with their physician or qualified healthcare provider before using a Still Point Inducer or receiving Cranial Sacral Therapy.

Because these techniques work with the nervous system, cerebrospinal fluid rhythms, and cranial structures, caution is advised anytime there is significant instability involving brain or head health.

Where Can I Buy a Still Point Inducer?

There are two different types of cranial sacral tools that create a similar effect:

​The Still Point Inducer from the Upledger Institute. You can purchase directly from their website HERE.​

​Cranio Cradle is a different shape and design compared to the Still Point Inducer. With this design, you can purchase two and place one at the sacrum and one at the base of the skull. This simulates what an Osteopath might do by working at both ends of the spine to encourage deep relaxation and support the body’s ability to self-correct.

Excessive muscle tension is one of the ways vertebrae can become misaligned and contribute to pain. Click HERE to check out the Cranio Cradle.

You can probably tell I’m a big fan of this small, simple, and inexpensive tool that can have such a HUGE impact on one’s health and wellbeing.

Of course, I would love a spa getaway at some remote location on a beautiful tropical island that few people have ever heard of. But one week isn’t going to be enough, so I’ll happily use my trusty little Still Point Inducer and induce myself into a state of bliss anytime I want.

Plus, it costs a lot less than a spa getaway.

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Many blessings to you for abundant health, happiness and wellbeing ~

Strong and Beautiful in Midlife!

Sharon

Kuhle Body is a project of Vidya Ministerium, a faith based, private membership association. Services are available to members only. Membership is free and we are always accepting new members. You can opt out at any time. For more information, please read our PMA Declaration.​