Ursula Hoefler
Licensed Physical Therapist specializing in CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation
Thank you for taking the time to let me introduce myself. I was born and raised in Austria and have been practicing Physical Therapy for more than 20 years. My first years as a PT were based in hospital and rehab centers working with neurologic and orthopedic populations.
In 2003 I completed a 6 month post-graduate PNF program in Vallejo, CA which helped me to better understand and help facilitate efficient and healthy movement patterns. Building upon that understanding I certified in Pilates Mat (Vienna, Austria) and Machine Work at the Kane School of Core Integration (NYC).
After experiencing back problems due to scoliosis, I received CranioSacral Therapy treatments and was amazed by the profound impact of this gentle hands-on treatment. Seeing our bodies as a delicate web of body, mind and spirit with the goal to achieve and maintain optimal health, changed my life and sparked my interest to dive deeper into the world of body/mind integration. I started studying CranioSacral Therapy with the Upledger Institute in 2006 and Visceral Mobilization with the Barral Institute in 2012. Both modalities deepened my knowledge and appreciation of inner mind/body connections and highlighted the importance of working with the whole person rather than treating a symptom.
In my practice I am blending CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation to accurately identify contributing factors of health and movement problems to effectively treat the body as a whole. I am looking forward to assisting you on your journey towards wellness, increased resilience and whole body balance.
Common Conditions Treated by CranioSacral Therapy & Visceral Manipulation
Chronic fatigue
Scoliosis
Acid Reflux
Digestive disorders
Migraines & headaches
TMJ syndrome
Women’s & men’s health
Chronic neck & back pain
Post-operative scar tissue pain
Stress & tension-related disorders
Anxiety & depression
Fibromyalgia
Testimonials
Ursula is magic - she has an uncanny ability to read the body, to listen and do exactly what is needed to make me feel better. Things like helping me overcome debilitating back pain, acid reflux that used to wake me up in the night, and feel more balanced and less stressed during these very uncertain times. I have turned to Ursula over the years for acute issues but I prefer to see her on a regular basis to promote overall wellness and to feel restored.
— Andrea H.
Adding CranioSacral Therapy has taken my recovery to the next level. Many years of dancing led to a major surgery of my ankle, which has kept me off the stage for years. After the surgery I had chronic pain in my ankle & foot which then led to chronic hip pain. Working with Ursula changed all that. Her ability to listen with her hands and find the places in my body that need attention is incredible. No matter what my problems are when I walk in, I always feel better in both body and spirit when I leave.
— Benny W.
I’ve seen Ursula for multiple complaints over the years including headaches, back pain, digestive issues and low energy and think she is amazing. Ursula is unlike any other hands on therapist I’ve encountered. She has a deep intuition to sense where the source of my pain and symptoms are coming from and her hands are so sensitive they can detect the smallest changes in my body that may be causing me problems. After my sessions I always feel refreshed, clearer and better. I give her my highest recommendation!
— Daniel F.
FAQs
What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy (CST), developed by osteopathic physician Dr. John E. Upledger, is a light touch manual therapy that seeks to locate and treat areas of tension in the body. Throughout our lives we endure stresses, strains, and traumas and our tissues absorb them until we can not handle the build up of tension anymore. This can negatively affect our nervous system and any other body system, resulting in discomfort, pain and disease. CST releases those tensions and allows the body to self correct to balance and wellness.
What is Visceral Manipulation?
Visceral Manipulation, developed by Osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral, is a gentle manual therapy that works with your viscera (internal organs) and assists in your body’s ability to release restrictions and strain patterns that cause pain and dysfunction. Just like CST, VM does not solely focus on the site of the pain or discomfort but evaluates the whole body to find the source of the problem. The treatment is a gentle compression, mobilization and elongation of soft tissues. In addition to physical symptom reduction/resolution and due to the fact that emotions can be stored in our organs, VM can help restore emotional balance.
What to expect from a CST/VM session?
During a CranioSacral Therapy/Visceral Manipulation session clients can stay fully dressed (comfortable loose fitting clothing if more VM approach needed) and are positioned on their back on a treatment table. I evaluate the whole body each session with a light touch (5g or less) to monitor the rhythm of the fluid that is flowing around your central nervous system, and assess for decreased tissue motion or restrictions throughout your body. Delicate manual techniques are used to release areas of dysfunction to improve the function of the central nervous system, the viscera and the body as a whole. A session is typically 60 minutes long.
What you experience during and from your own session is highly individual and no session is the same. After a sessions clients in general report a feeling of deep relaxation, pain reduction, improvement of range of motion, a sense of balance in body and mind, … The body will continue to integrate changes for a day or two after a session.
How many sessions are needed?
That is hard to tell. Some people are better after only a few sessions, for some people it may take many more than that. On average people need 3-8 sessions for a reduction of symptoms and pattern change to wellness. After symptoms are resolved oftentimes clients continue to come in for follow up maintenance to help their body stay balanced and to feel restored. If after 3 sessions you see no improvement or change of symptoms we will discuss and decide if CST/VM is the right approach for you.