There are certain humans in this world who are firmly rooted in their work, in their integrity and in their knowing. Katie Karn is one of those humans. She used her own difficult experience to go deeper and search for answers, which led to infuse her own gifts as a massage therapist with craniolsacral massage becasue she knew how it could positively impact her clients. Katie is well known for being one of the very best in her field and with the opening of her new practice, Neural Balance, she is connecting with her clients on an even deeper level to ensure their care and healing. Thank you Katie for your work and welcome to The Soul Place.
Sarah Smith Warren is the founder of Soul Space Work, a coaching and consulting space working to support and empower all humans to live and work soul centered lives. Connect with Sarah at ssw@soulspacework.com
Why I Chose CranioSacral Therapy:
A Journey Rooted in Healing
By Katie Karn, Founder of Neural Balance
My path to CranioSacral Therapy (CST) was not a traditional one. It was born out of a strong personal experience: the traumatic birth of my son. The emotions and physical strain that accompanied that experience left a profound mark on both of us. I sought answers, not just for the physical challenges we faced, but for the emotional and energetic wounds that lingered long after. It was in that search I discovered CranioSacral Therapy—a practice that became a cornerstone in our healing journey.
The Search for Gentle Healing
After my son’s birth, I felt the need to find something beyond conventional medicine that could address the trauma we had both endured. Sure, there was physical recovery-his head was contorted into the shape of what those millennials would know as a “conehead”, and my physical wounds were also severe. But it wasn’t just about physical recovery; I knew there was more to healing. As I sat in a tub nursing my son because I couldn’t put him down, with both of our nervous systems at an all-time high, I looked into his deep blue eyes thinking, “there has GOT to be something I could do to help him. To help us.” That’s when I came across CST. This gentle, non-invasive therapy offered a way to help my son and myself process what we had gone through on a deeper level.
CST focuses on releasing restrictions in the craniosacral system, which impacts the central nervous system. The first time I experienced it, I was amazed by how such a light touch could create such a deep sense of relief. It was as if my body, still holding onto the birth trauma, had finally been given permission to let go.
Healing Beyond the Physical
What drew me even further into CranioSacral Therapy was its ability to work on multiple levels—physical, emotional, and energetic. As well as being able to help a lot of different pathologies: from chronic stress, migraines, musculoskeletal pain, to cerebral palsy, CST could be safely used on almost any condition. As I received more treatments, I noticed the difference not only in my body but also in my emotional well-being. My son, too, responded incredibly well, and I saw firsthand how this therapy could help release his tissues and trauma stored in his tiny body, helping him relax and thrive.
It was a turning point for me. I realized that I wanted to learn this modality, not just for my own healing, but to help others—especially parents and children—who may have experienced similar challenges. I also discovered a deep excitement for learning about the brain. It was so fascinating to learn the anatomy, physiology and the endless world of learning that the brain could hold. This also made me curious about using the technique to help those who suffered from a Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussions. CST’s gentle, yet powerful approach became a way for me to support others through their journeys of recovery and restoration, no matter how that trauma came to be.
It took our family 5 years to heal and be ready for another pregnancy. With a miscarriage in between, we were pregnant again and ready to welcome a baby girl. When it came to her birth, I was terrified, but continued to get CST and worked on my mind and body to be sure we could re-write the birth experience.
The second time was a lot different, I trusted my body, I trusted my providers and used resources like my friend to do some work on me while in labor. By the time I went to the hospital, she came in two pushes. It was a renewal of the birth experience. Don’t get me wrong, each child comes with new and different challenges, but this time we felt strong and restored with the experience, equipped with new knowledge and confidence.
Why I Practice CranioSacral Therapy
Today, I practice CranioSacral Therapy with a profound sense of purpose. My family’s own experience of healing along with the experiences of hundreds of clients allows me to believe in the body’s capacity to heal when given the right conditions, and CST provides exactly that—a trauma informed, safe, nurturing space where the body can unwind, release, and restore itself.
As I reflect on my 18 years of bodywork experience, I am now embarking on a new journey of entrepreneurship. Trying to create something new and sacred, Neural Balance Therapies aims to be the leading provider of massage and craniosacral therapy services in F-M Area.
Our focus is to integrate non-invasive, alternative manual therapies with a deep understanding of the mind-body connection to address a range of issues, specializing in babies with feeding difficulties or tension related issues, or people dealing with the lasting effects of TBI or post concussions. We also work with a lot of unique cases that deal with chronic pain ranging from Lymes Disease to migraines. The holistic approach emphasizes educating clients on overall health, fostering a supportive and non-judgmental environment, and empowering individuals to achieve balance and vitality through personalized care and lifestyle adjustments. Neural Balance is proud to treat the whole person, ensuring a safe and therapeutic experience that promotes lasting wellness. We aim to continue healthy collaboration with other healthcare professionals, staying in our own lane, while continuing to strive for excellence in care and education. Leading with compassion, integrity, empathy and trust, we hope everyone who steps into NBT will leave renewed.
Each time I get the privilege of working with a new family or a person dealing with a brain injury, I’m reminded of the profound impact this work can have.
Opening Neural Balance Therapies has allowed me to create a space to offer others the same opportunity for healing, whether they’re facing physical pain, emotional trauma, or simply seeking a deeper sense of balance and peace. It is an honor to facilitate healing for those with whom I work.
Connect or Schedule with Katie at Neural Balance!
Katie Karn, LMT, CST-T, CBIS
Neural Balance
Fargo, North Dakota
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