At Turnpaugh Health, we believe the body has an incredible capacity to heal when it’s given the right conditions. That belief is embodied in the work of Heather Horst, our newest bodywork specialist, whose approach centers on safety, subtlety, and deep respect for the body’s innate intelligence.
With decades of clinical experience and a background that bridges nursing and therapeutic bodywork, Heather offers Craniosacral Therapy (CST) and Positional Release Therapy (PRT)—two gentle yet powerful modalities that invite the body out of holding patterns and back into ease.
From Nursing to Bodywork: Following What Lit Her Up
Heather’s path into bodywork began in nursing school, where the hands-on, tactile aspects of patient care stood out to her immediately. Whether supporting someone through pneumonia, joint replacement, or childbirth, she was drawn to the three-dimensional experience of comfort—how the body feels, responds, and settles.
That curiosity led her to massage school, where she first encountered Craniosacral Therapy. She was captivated by the idea that the deepest structures of the body—the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord—could be engaged with an incredibly light touch. CST offered a way to cooperate with the body’s own self-healing capacity rather than imposing change from the outside.
What Is Craniosacral Therapy, Really?
For those new to CST, Heather describes the experience as surprisingly gentle. Sessions are typically done fully clothed, with the patient resting comfortably on a table in loose or stretchy clothing. While many people assume CST focuses only on the head, the craniosacral system actually includes the membranes and fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord, along with the soft tissues throughout the body that influence its rhythms.
Healthy, symmetrical craniosacral rhythms are associated with vitality and ease. Using feather-light touch and passive movements, Heather listens for areas where those rhythms feel restricted. Her hands may follow tiny, involuntary movements—or she may offer gentle positioning and invite feedback about what feels most comfortable.
Many first-time patients are surprised: the work feels subtle enough to wonder if anything is happening, yet relief often follows more deeply than expected.
A Non-Forceful Approach to Healing
What Heather loves most about her work is the partnership it creates. Rather than forcing alignment or “fixing” the body, she works with what osteopathic physician John Upledger called the Inner Physician—the body’s own wisdom.
This approach prioritizes autonomy and agency. The tissues and rhythms lead the way, and Heather follows, asking how the body would like to experience more freedom. It’s a style of care that is deeply respectful, non-aggressive, and especially powerful for people whose systems are sensitive or easily overwhelmed.
Who Tends to Benefit Most from CST?
Craniosacral Therapy is often an excellent option for people who don’t tolerate deep tissue massage or high-velocity adjustments well. Heather frequently works with individuals experiencing:
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Chronic headaches and migraines
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Persistent pain patterns
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Nervous system overwhelm or trauma
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Infants struggling with latch or breastfeeding
For many, CST offers relief without triggering the protective bracing that can make pain harder to resolve.
Modalities That Blend Seamlessly
In addition to CST, Heather also practices Positional Release Therapy (PRT), a neuromuscular technique she’s used nearly as long as Craniosacral Therapy. Both modalities follow the body’s Direction of Ease—gently folding toward a strain pattern so the nervous system can allow a spontaneous release.
PRT is often described as neuromuscular therapy, while CST is considered one of the deepest forms of myofascial work. In practice, Heather blends them fluidly, guided by the body’s signals and preferences in the moment.
Symptoms as Information, Not the Enemy
One of Heather’s defining philosophies is her relationship with symptoms. Rather than viewing pain or discomfort as something to battle, she sees symptoms as valuable information—messages from the body asking for attention.
She feels a particular empathy for people with chronic headaches and for anyone who chooses to respond to uncomfortable sensations by seeking care. Supporting that decision, and helping the body reorganize toward health, is work she considers an honor.
How CST Fits Into Integrative Care
Craniosacral Therapy doesn’t exist in isolation—and that’s part of its strength. Heather sees CST as one tool among many that can help shift the body back into restorative mode. While root causes may include nutrient deficiencies, microbial imbalances, or structural issues, gentle touch can be the input that allows all other interventions to work more effectively.
This integrative perspective is a natural fit at Turnpaugh Health, where patients have access to comprehensive functional and integrative care alongside bodywork.
What to Expect in Your First Session
During a session with Heather, gentle touch may be applied anywhere from the feet to the hips, sacrum, or scalp. Passive movements are often used to ease tight or tender areas. At times, treatment may focus on regions that seem unrelated to your main symptoms—until relief unexpectedly spreads where it’s needed most.
The work is quiet, attentive, and deeply individualized.
The Nervous System: Safety First
Heather wishes more people understood how essential safety is for healing. When the body is bracing against aggressive pressure or anticipating pain, true release can’t occur. The nervous system needs to feel safe to adopt a new, more comfortable alignment.
Gentle approaches like CST allow the nervous system to downshift, creating the conditions where change can happen naturally.
How She Hopes You’ll Feel After a Session
Beyond pain relief, Heather hopes patients notice what it feels like to inhabit their bodies with more space. Many leave feeling taller, freer in their movement, and more at ease—experiencing not just the absence of pain, but a renewed sense of comfort.
Life Outside the Treatment Room
Outside of work, Heather recharges through audiobooks, cooking nutrient-dense meals, and helping her husband run their micro-farm. Each year, her family hikes the gorge trails at Letchworth State Park, a tradition she treasures. She also prioritizes receiving bodywork herself and considers colleague Suzanne Jones an important resource in maintaining her own health.
Though she and her family moved from Indiana last year, Heather’s roots run deep in Eastern Pennsylvania. She was born in Philadelphia and attended Lancaster Mennonite High School as a dorm student—making this return feel especially meaningful.
A Final Word for those Curious about CST
If you’re unsure whether Craniosacral Therapy is right for you, Heather offers reassurance: unlike therapies that require a long commitment before results are clear, gentle bodywork often provides a noticeable glimmer of relief after the very first session. You’ll know quickly whether it’s a good fit—before investing in a long course of care.
We’re thrilled to welcome Heather Horst to Turnpaugh Health and look forward to the grounded, compassionate care she brings to our community.
