Emile van der Hilst, CST-D – Integrative Craniosacral Therapy

I am in my third trimester and have been feeling great during my pregnancy. However, one day I was almost in tears, as I had very bad pain in one specific part of my back/​glut muscle. I had my bi-​weekly doctor appointment that day so I informed my OB/​GYN. She let me know it was my compressed sciatic nerve. She gave me a position to lay in to help the pain, but didn’t offer much else. That is when I called Emile. During the treatment — he made sure I was comfortable and was able to provide me WHY I was having the pain. By the end of the treatment, I was able to get off the table and was in no pain. After a night of sleeping (with no pain), the next day I felt significantly better. My colleagues even commented the following day — how much better I looked. Emile followed up with me to check in on how I was feeling and gave one tune-​up treatment about a week later. Since my two treatments with Emile my pain went from an 8 to a 1 and I am back to loving being pregnant and so grateful for having a medicine free, pain free solution that makes me feel more relaxed.

Emile treated a recent injury but did so much more for me. Before Christmas I suffered a terrible fall and injured my right shoulder. The ER said it was a sprain and to take pain relievers. The pain was excruciating and was not getting better. I have a three year old so not being able to use my right arm is not really an option. I didn’t want to go to the doctor and get a needless MRI or worse — surgery. I saw Emile in mid-​January. The pain went from a 10 for more than three weeks to a 2 after seeing him once. After my second visit a week later it was completely gone — as though it never happened. In speaking to Emile, I shared that I had fallen from a big height when I was a kid and have had lower back pain since. He treated that and I haven’t had lower back pain since. These are the results — but the experience is just as wonderful. Emile is incredibly gentle and precise. He explains what he is doing and provides insight into how everything in the body works is interconnected. I have gotten massages and go to a chiropractor but this treatment is far away the most relaxing and the results more significant and long lasting. I hope to see Emile for many years to come.

As a triathlete, marathon runner, and former soccer player, I have experienced a range of sports-​related injuries over the years. Following my first marathon, I was suffering from illiotibial (IT) band syndrome, an unjust that has plagued my running in the past. Not seeing any improvement through stretching or rest, I sought alternative treatment from Emile van der Hilst, a craniosacral therapist. The treatment was so different — in a very good way — than any traditional physical therapy I had ever experienced. Emile’s professionalism and knowledge coupled with his gentle and caring demeanor immediately put me at ease. I was incredibly impressed by Emile’s ability to immediately recognize other longstanding injuries — and articulate how they were potentially interrelated. The treatments were relaxing from both a mind and body perspective. Before and after the treatment, Emile took the time to explain what he was doing and why, and encouraged feedback and questions. After only two sessions, the knee pain subsided, and I also gained a better understanding of the holistic treatment as I noticed a slight difference in my overall gait. I would highly recommend Emile to anyone who is experiencing any physical ailment and is open to trying a new form of treatment.