Hello there! 

Welcome to 4 Rivers, I’m Maria O’Grady. I am a CranioSacral Practitioner, with a Master in Osteopathic Manual Sciences from the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.

 I am also a STOTT Pilates Certified Instructor with training in Special Populations and Rehabilitation.

 I am fascinated by the body and its ability to self heal and self regulate, so if there is any way I can help you improve your health and wellbeing I am on it!

I am originally from New York City, and have lived in Ireland, England and Canada. My professional ballet career was cut short after an injury. I completed a liberal arts degree, taught Dance as a Fine Art for High School Students while studying at the Pilates Center at Goucher College in Maryland.

Always eager to learn more about health and injury prevention. Pilates Certification was next. I opened my own studio and had the privilege to help rehabilitate top athletes from gymnasts to hockey players. This led to my next adventure completing a four year program in Classical Osteopathy (Master in Osteopathic Manual Sciences), and naturally CranioSacral Therapy was next

What I Believe 

First – Do no harm 

Second – The Body is a Dynamic unit. 

Third – Structure and function are reciprocal 

Fourth – The body has a self healing and self regulating capacity

 

What is CranioSacral Therapy? 

Simply put we see the 4 rivers of the body as the Nerves, Arteries, Veins and Lymph – all of which rely on the Central Nervous System (the Brain and the Spinal Cord). 

The fluid within the Central Nervous System is the Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF). It bathes and protects the brain and spinal cord something like a liquid highway – from the brain to the tailbone and back. CranioSacral Therapy uses a soft touch to release restrictions in the body, to improve the function of the Central Nervous System and therefore the 4 rivers as well.

CranioSacral Therapy can help physical, mental, emotional and spiritual problems. In other words it can help the body restore harmony. It releases chronic tension and compensation patterns improving fluid motility and allowing the body to self correct.
A list of specific conditions it can help.

  • Migraine Headaches
  • Chronic Neck and Back Pain
  • Motor-Coordination Impairments
  • Colic
  • Autism
  • Central Nervous System Disorders
  • Orthopedic Problems
  • Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Scoliosis
  • Infantile Disorders
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Emotional Difficulties
  • Stress and Tension-Related Problems
  • Sleep Problems
  • Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders
  • Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
  • Neurovascular or Immune Disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Post-Surgical Dysfunction

Your appointment

 A full health history is completed and any health concerns discussed. CranioSacral Therapy is safe for adults of all ages, children and infants. Treatments are done with the client fully clothed on a soft massage table.