Why Your Body Holds On: Understanding Inertial Fulcrums in Craniosacral Therapy

By Devon Hornby LMT, ABT

Have you ever had an injury that felt “stuck” in your body—even years after it healed? Or felt like you were carrying tension or emotional weight in places that didn’t quite make sense?

In Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), we understand these kinds of experiences as inertial fulcrums—places where the body is still holding onto something from the past.


What Is an Inertial Fulcrum?

An inertial fulcrum is simply a place in your body where something got stuck. This could be from:

  • A physical injury like a fall, car accident, or surgery
  • A strong emotional experience like grief, fear, or loss
  • Ongoing stress that your body never fully processed

When something overwhelms your system, your body does what it must to protect you. It organizes itself around the event and keeps going. But sometimes, it never fully resets. The system adapts, but part of your energy remains caught in that moment.

This is what we call inertia—the sense that part of your system is holding still, or holding on.


What Does That Look Like?

These holding patterns can show up as:

  • Chronic tension or pain
  • Feeling “stuck” in your healing process
  • Areas that feel frozen, numb, or overly sensitive
  • Emotional patterns that seem rooted in the body

In a session, I may feel areas that seem quieter, denser, or disconnected from the overall flow of your system. Your body’s natural rhythms might pause or slow down there. These are signs that something is still waiting for resolution.


How Do We Work With It?

The beauty of BCST is that we don’t try to force anything to change.

Instead, I support your system to reconnect with its inherent health—the inner intelligence that knows how to heal when it’s safe and supported.

In stillness and quiet contact, your system may:

  • Begin to soften and reorganize
  • Come into a “stillpoint”—a deep pause where healing can happen
  • Release long-held tension or trauma
  • Restore natural movement and flow

Sometimes this feels like a gentle wave moving through the body, or a warming or softening. Sometimes it’s emotional. Sometimes it’s just deep rest.


Why This Matters

Inertial fulcrums are not flaws or malfunctions—they’re signs of how your body protected you when it needed to.

And when the time is right, they can become gateways to transformation.

When we meet these places with presence and respect—not trying to fix or change, but simply listening—they often shift on their own. That’s the wisdom of your body at work.


If you’re curious whether this work might support something your body has been carrying—physically or emotionally—please reach out. I’d be honored to sit with you in stillness and discover what wants to unfold.

The Gentle Power of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST)

Chronic pain and stress often go hand in hand, affecting both body and mind. As part of my ongoing training in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), I’m offering BCST sessions—either as stand-alone treatments or integrated into your regular manual therapy. Unlike traditional bodywork that focuses on muscles and connective tissue, BCST works with the nervous system, helping to release deep-seated tension and restore balance from within.

Why Try BCST?

  • Deep Relaxation: Shifts your body out of “fight or flight” mode, creating space for true healing.
  • Pain & Tension Relief: Gently unwinds chronic pain patterns, including headaches, TMJ, and sciatica.
  • Emotional Release: Supports processing of stress, trauma, and emotional patterns that contribute to pain.
  • Enhances Your Current Therapy: Complements massage and manual therapy for deeper, longer-lasting relief.

Who Can Benefit?

If you experience:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Migraines & headaches
  • TMJ dysfunction
  • Sciatica & back pain
  • Post-surgical pain
  • Autoimmune-related pain
  • Stress-related tension or trauma

BCST may be the missing piece in your healing journey.

What to Expect

  • Gentle, light touch while fully clothed, often at the head, spine, or sacrum.
  • A deep sense of relaxation—some feel warmth, tingling, or emotional shifts.

Since I’m currently in training, I’m offering BCST sessions at a reduced rate and am also happy to incorporate it into your regular manual therapy sessions. If you’re curious, reach out and let’s explore how BCST can support your healing process!

Understanding Trauma: Beyond the External Event

Trauma isn’t defined merely by the external event but by how our nervous system perceives and responds to it. According to Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald, trauma responses, including anxiety, are protective and adaptive mechanisms. They serve as signs of the human will to survive, even though they may cause distress. ​

Subtle Origins, Profound Impacts

Trauma can stem from experiences that might seem minor or go unnoticed. Emotional neglect, bullying, or financial instability are examples of subtle experiences that can lead to significant psychological effects. These experiences can result in long-term emotional and psychological scarring, often without the individual realizing the connection to their past. ​

The Body Remembers

Trauma’s impact isn’t confined to the mind; it often manifests physically. Chronic stress, muscle tension, headaches, and fatigue can be linked to past trauma. These physical symptoms are the body’s way of holding onto unprocessed emotional experiences. ​

Healing Through Awareness

Awareness serves as a foundational step in trauma recovery. By cultivating a conscious connection to our bodily sensations, emotions, and thoughts, we can begin to process and integrate traumatic experiences. This mindful presence allows individuals to recognize and understand their responses, paving the way for healing.​

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and breathwork, have been shown to help individuals stay grounded in the present moment, reducing the overwhelming effects of trauma. These practices encourage a gentle observation of one’s internal experiences without judgment, fostering a sense of safety and self-compassion. ​

Additionally, somatic approaches, which focus on bodily awareness, can be instrumental in trauma healing. Techniques like body scans and movement therapies help individuals reconnect with their physical selves, releasing stored tension and promoting a sense of embodiment. 

Incorporating these awareness-based practices into daily life can empower individuals to navigate their healing journey with resilience and self-understanding. By acknowledging and honoring their experiences, they can move towards a state of integration and well-being.​


If you’re interested in exploring specific mindfulness or somatic techniques to support trauma recovery, check out my website, contact me, or book an appointment..