The Shape of a Hammock and Your Nervous System

Providing Craniosacral Therapy clients with homework after their session is really common in my practice. Spending time in a forward flexion posture such as fetal curling or child’s pose is the assignment given most often. Taking time at home to be in this posture enhances and furthers the flexion posture techniques of your Craniosacral Therapy session. It is so good for easing muscular and fascial tension along the spine and dural tube. Your nervous system loves it whether you’re newborn or 99 years old!

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The dural tube is the membranous sheath inside the spinal vertebrae that encloses the spinal cord, nerve roots and cerebral spinal fluid. It extends from the base of your skull to your sacrum and optimally moves freely. During a Craniosacral Therapy session many clients experience rocking, release or other techniques to encourage it to be free of adhesions. ​

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Humans of all ages can experience stiff muscles and tension through their upper back, shoulders and neck, whether from posture, ‘tech neck’ , repetitive strain, hypertonia, anxiety and stress or  (fill in the blank) . While that tension may lead to tension headaches, reduced mobility and pain, it also places the Nervous System in “fight or flight” mode. A nervous system stuck in sympathetic mode affects the communication path between brain and body and that impacts your sensory processing, emotional regulation, sleep, digestion, muscle tonus…

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​The flexion shape offered by a hammock supports the natural curve of the spine as it eases fascial and muscle tension. With your head in a slightly elevated posture (think of the end of a banana) the hammock relaxes the neck while also offering a position that opens up the airways. The support of a hammock along with gravity offers decompression gapping/ease between the vertebrae of the spine and relaxation of the muscles and fascia. There is also the calming, cocooning effect that is offered.

You can offer this flexion posture to yourself when reading, propped up with cushions behind you and your feet up. You can also offer it to your child during story times. With the child on your lap facing forward (their back against your body) and the book in front of them, you’ll likely find you both lean into a forward flexion posture. 

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It doesn’t matter what age you are, this forward flexion shape is good for so many things! Not only easing muscle tensions but with that ease, regulating the nervous system and encouraging it to drop into parasympathetic (rest and digest) mode. We all need a little more time in that.

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