Bodywork- Fascial Unwinding

Gentle, fascia-focused bodywork that supports whole-body balance and nervous system regulation. Sessions may include craniosacral fascial therapy (CFT), full-body fascial unwinding, and general education on breathing, resting tongue posture, and functional habits as appropriate to each provider’s scope.

This service is provided as wellness bodywork and is not considered physical therapy. Call to ask about intensives (typically 6 sessions over a period of 3 days).

Dr. Alyssa Welch

What is CFT?

The Gillespie Approach to Craniosacral Fascial Therapy

Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT), developed by Dr. Barry Gillespie, is a gentle hands-on approach that releases strain in the two systems that most influence how the body functions: the craniosacral system (brain, spinal cord, and fluids) and the fascial system (the connective-tissue web that surrounds every structure in the body). Dr. Gillespie's research shows that when the fascia becomes tight- often from birth trauma, strain in utero, injuries, inflammation, or emotional stress- it can pull through the entire body, creating a full-body strain pattern.

Tight fascia can restrict the craniosacral system, impact the Brain Cycle, limit mobility, affect drainage and breathing, and contribute to feeding issues, behavioral challenges, sleep disturbances, pain, and nervous system imbalance. CFT gently follows the body's natural unwinding motion to release these strain patterns at their root. As the fascia softens and the craniosacral system opens, the body regains mobility, the brain tissues can function more efficiently, and the nervous system shifts into a calmer, more regulated state.

Dr. Gillespie believes that clearing fascial strain early- especially in infants and children- lays the foundation for healthier development and lifelong wellness.

How CFT Works

CFT uses light touch, slow movements, and gentle traction to help fascia soften and unwind. Sessions are typically quiet, calming, and guided entirely by the body's own rhythm.

There is no forceful manipulation or stretching.

The body leads - I follow.

As the fascia releases, you may see natural movements such as soft rotations, gentle stretching, or full-body unwinding. Babies often relax, stretch, wiggle, or melt into the work. Adults may feel warmth, release, or deeper ease and clarity.

Who I support with Fascial Unwinding

Babies

Gentle fascial work helps release tension patterns from pregnancy or birth and supports healthy development. This work supports feeding, digestive ease, head shape, mobility, and more.

Children

Children often show fascial strain through movement, behavior, posture, growing pains, or oral habits. Fascial unwinding helps soften these patterns, supporting better regulation, breathing, alignment, and functional development.

Neurodiversity & Special Needs

Alyssa has experience working with clients who have diverse developmental, neurological, and sensory needs- including Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and general motor delays.

Adults

Adults often carry long-held tension from stress, injury, posture, or life experiences. Fascial unwinding helps release these deeper patterns, improving mobility, pain, sleep, and nervous system regulation.

Pregnancy & Postpartum

Fascial unwinding provides gentle support for moms navigating pregnancy and postpartum. It helps ease tension, prepare the body for birth, and support healing, alignment, and co-regulation after delivery.

What Are Intensives?

Intensives offer concentrated fascial unwinding over a short period of time- typically two sessions per day for three days, for a total of six sessions. This approach allows the body to open, release, and reorganize without returning to old tension patterns.

Alyssa provides intensives for individuals or entire families, and often sees the most powerful changes when working with parents and children together. When the whole family receives support, patterns shift faster, the nervous system co-regulates more easily, and progress holds longer.

Intensives are ideal for families traveling out of town or those seeking deeper work. Multiple sessions over a short period of time is an excellent way to experience more significant results.

If you do not see your location listed, Alyssa also travels for intensives. Contact to learn more or request travel options.

CONTACT ME