How Bodywork Can Support Mental Health: The Power of Craniosacral and Feldenkrais Therapy
- Ashleigh Richmond
- May 5
- 3 min read
When we think about mental health, we often focus on the mind: thoughts, emotions, stress levels, and coping strategies. But what if your body is holding just as much of your emotional experience as your mind? At Wisco Integrative Therapies, we know that healing the whole person means paying attention to both body and mind. That's where bodywork therapies like Craniosacral Therapy and Feldenkrais Method come in.
These gentle, hands-on techniques are powerful tools not only for relieving physical discomfort, but also for supporting emotional regulation, reducing anxiety, managing trauma responses, and promoting overall mental well-being.
The Mind-Body Connection Is Real
Science continues to show us that the nervous system, brain, and body are deeply interconnected. Stress, trauma, and emotional pain don’t just live in our thoughts—they show up in muscle tension, chronic pain, postural changes, shallow breathing, and even digestive issues.
When we ignore the body’s role in emotional health, we limit our capacity to heal. Bodywork provides a safe, somatic (body-based) approach to supporting mental health that complements talk therapy, medication, or mindfulness practices.
How Craniosacral Therapy Supports Mental Health
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that works with the craniosacral system—the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. By using light touch, a trained therapist helps release restrictions and tension patterns, supporting a more balanced nervous system.
CST is particularly helpful for:
Anxiety and chronic stress
Sleep issues and insomnia
PTSD and trauma recovery
Emotional regulation and overwhelm
Headaches and migraines
Burnout and nervous system dysregulation
Clients often report feeling deeply relaxed, emotionally lighter, and more present after a session. It’s a subtle yet powerful way to bring the nervous system out of “fight or flight” and into a state of healing.
How the Feldenkrais Method Supports Mental Wellness
Feldenkrais therapy is a movement-based approach that helps people improve how they move, feel, and function. Through gentle guided movements (often done lying down or sitting), clients learn to recognize and release patterns of tension, misuse, or unconscious holding in the body.
This method is especially beneficial for:
Reducing muscle tension caused by stress or anxiety
Increasing body awareness and presence
Improving posture and breathing—both of which are linked to emotional states
Enhancing self-regulation and calm
Processing trauma stored in the body
Creating a deeper sense of agency and self-trust
The Feldenkrais Method doesn’t just change how you move—it helps shift how you perceive and respond to the world around you. That’s why it’s such a valuable support tool for mental health.
Why Bodywork Matters in Mental Health Care
Many people living with anxiety, depression, trauma, or burnout find that traditional mental health support only goes so far. Bodywork offers an integrative, non-verbal pathway to healing that can help you feel more grounded, more yourself, and more at ease in your body and life.
Benefits of incorporating bodywork into mental health care may include:
Deeper emotional resilience
Improved sleep and digestion
Fewer physical symptoms related to stress
Enhanced mindfulness and presence
A greater sense of wholeness and well-being
Wisco Integrative Therapies Can Help
Whether you’re managing stress, recovering from trauma, or simply looking to feel more connected and calm in your body, you don’t have to do it alone. At Wisco Integrative Therapies, our skilled providers offer Craniosacral Therapy, Feldenkrais Method, and holistic bodywork in a warm, trauma-informed environment.
👉 Book an appointment today in our Milwaukee or Mequon offices and experience how powerful your body can be as a partner in emotional healing.Let’s support your mental health—from the inside out.
