CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY
GENTLE
FLOW
VITALITY
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. Using a soft touch which is generally no greater than 5 grams – about the weight of a nickel – practitioners release restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system.
What are the conditions that cRANIOSACRAL THERAPY is effective for?
+Anxiety & Depression
Craniosacral therapy in conjunction with a multidisciplinary approach which may include pharmaceutical, physiotherapeutic, psychological and other integrative therapies can help reduce anxiety levels and depression in those predisposed.1
+Asthma
Clinical trials demonstrate the supportive use of CST for asthma along with traditional and integrative medical therapies.2
+Concussion
Ten sessions of CST resulted a greater reduction in pain, and improvements in range of motion, memory, physical reaction time, and duration of sleep in patients with post-concussion up to 3 months after the intervention.3
+Fibromyalgia
Research shows that CST improves the quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia, reducing their perception of pain and fatigue and improving their night rest and mood, with an increase in physical function.1,4,5
+Headaches & Migraines
CST may help reduce the frequency and intensity of chronic pain including headaches and migraine headaches.6,7
+Stress
Craniosacral treatment had a favorable effect on autonomic nervous activity and may help to reduce the effects of stress on the body.8
What Are The Therapies That Our Naturopathic Doctor Offers With CST?
- Adult Craniosacral Therapy
- Children Craniosacral Therapy
FAQS
Craniosacral Therapy works by assisting the body’s natural healing mechanisms release the negative effects of stress on the central nervous system. With a light touch, the CST practitioner uses his or her hands to evaluate the craniosacral system (the membranes and fluid that surround and nourish the brain and spinal cord) by gently feeling various locations of the body to test for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid pulsing around the brain and spinal cord. Soft-touch techniques are then used to release restrictions in any tissues to balance the craniosacral system.
During a CST session, you will relax on a massage table, while your therapist uses a very light touch (about the weight of a nickel) at specific areas of the body (skull, face, spine, and pelvis) to release restrictions.
It is important to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow for relaxation before the treatment.
- Vigorous exercise or sexual activity in the hour before treatment is not recommended.
- It is best to not to have recently eaten a large meal, nor should you be fasting for more than 6 hours before your appointment.
- The use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs is also not recommended prior to or just following a treatment.
- Comfortable, loose clothing should be worn, and, if possible, you should not wear any metallic jewelry, watches, or earrings.
- Makeup and nail polish should be minimized or eliminated.
- Please also avoid the use of perfumes, colognes or strongly scented cosmetics.
Most sessions with individuals are 30-60 minutes long
The number of treatments required and reassessment visits vary depending on the severity and duration of the symptoms to be addressed. A common frequency is one treatment per week for three weeks then reduced to once a month maintenance.
The extremely light touch involved in the application of CST makes it a safe approach for children, infants, newborns and the elderly. Any condition in which there is a concern of increased intracranial pressure such as: acute aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage or other pre-existing severe bleeding disorders would be contraindicated.
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- Guillermo A. Mataran-Penarrocha GA, Castro-Sanchez, AM, Carballo Garcıa G, et al, Influence of Craniosacral Therapy on Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia, Hindawi Publishing Corporation Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2011,ArticleID 178769, 9 pages
- Mehl-Madrona L, Kligler B, Silverman S, Lynton H, Merrell W. The impact of acupuncture and craniosacral therapy interventions on clinical outcomes in adults with asthma[J]. Explore (NY), 2007, 3(1) : 28-36
- Wetzler G, PT, DPT, EDO, BI-D,1,2 Roland M, MA, PT, LAc, OMD, Dipl-Ac, CST-D,3,4 Fryer-Dietz S, PT, DPT, CDT-D, SIPT Cert,3,5 et al, CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation: A New Treatment Intervention for Concussion Recovery, Medical Acupuncture, V 29, Number 4, 2017
- Matarán-Pearrocha GA, Castro-Sánchez AM, García GC, Moreno-Lorenzo C, Carre?o TP, Zafra MD. Influence of craniosacral therapy on anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia[J]. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2011, 2011: 178769.
- Castro-Sánchez AM, Matarán-Pearrocha GA, Sánchez-Labraca N, et al, A randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of craniosacral therapy on pain and heart rate variability in fibromyalgia patients[J]. Clin Rehabil, 2011, 25(1) : 25-35
- Curtis P, Gavlord SA, Park J, et al, Credibility of low-strength static magnet therapy as an attention control intervention for a randomized controlled study of CranioSacral therapy for migraine headaches., ltern Complement Med. 2011 Aua: 17(8)711 -21. Epub2011 Jul 6.
- Arnadottir TS, Sigurdardottir AK. Is craniosacral therapy effective for migraine? Tested with HIT-6 Questionnaire[J]. Complement Ther Clin Pract, 2013, 19(1) : 11-14.
- Girsberger W, Binziger U, Lingg G et al, Heart rate variability and the influence of craniosacral therapy on autonomous nervous system regulation in persons with subjective discomforts: a pilot study, Journal of Integrative Medicine: Volume 12, 2014 Issue 3