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Craniosacral Therapy

Experience the Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy is light-touch, hands-on therapy applied to the body, and focused on the head, neck and spine.  This manual therapy is intended to help regulate, balance and release restrictions in the craniosacral system.  Craniosacral therapy has been known to be effective in releasing the residual effects of trauma from the body and mind [1, 2, 13] which often go untreated and cause chronic disease and pain. The beauty of craniosacral therapy is that while subtle and gentle, it can produce profound and lasting healing effects because of its ability to resolve inflammation and pain in the central nervous system and myofascial tissue layers [3].

Hands holding a person's head and face as is done with craniosacral therapy.
Hands holding a person's head and face as is done with craniosacral therapy.
Hands holding a person's head and face as is done with craniosacral therapy.
What is the 'craniosacral system' and what is Craniosacral Therapy (CST)?

From an article published in The Clinical Journal of Pain in 2016:

"The craniosacral system anatomically encompasses the structures of the central nervous system including the skull, the cranial sutures, the cerebrospinal fluid, and the membranes of the brain and the spinal cord. It is influenced by and linked to the musculoskeletal system, and presumably to the vascular and endocrine system as well as to the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. In the craniosacral theory, fascial restrictions within the craniosacral system lead to abnormal, arrhythmic motion of the cerebrospinal fluid.  This craniosacral rhythm is assessable by palpation and quantifiable by encephalogram, myelogram, and magnetic resonance imaging.  There is also growing evidence for fascial involvement in pain chronification. Studies have shown increased activity of fascial nociceptors within restricted connective tissue, which can contribute to remodeling processes of inflammation and fibrosis, increased tissue stiffness, muscle tension, and chronic pain."

What are the effects of Craniosacral therapy with respect to pain and physiology:

Treating fasciae with Craniosacral or other myofascial-focused modalities has been shown to:

  • induce a decreased tone of intrafascial muscle cells [4, 5, 6]

  • decreased muscles tension [4, 5, 6]

  • induce an increased parasympathetic nervous system response and vagal tone [4, 5, 6, 11]

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Craniosacral Therapy has been shown to:

  • Relieve pain [7, 8, 9, 10, 12]

  • Decreasing muscle tension [7]

  • Induce an experience of deep relaxation [10, 11]

  • Reduce states of anxiety [10, 12]

  • Treat migraines [14]

What are common conditions Craniosacral therapy is utilized in the treatment of?

According to the Upledger Institute, CST is 'effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including':

  • Migraine Headaches

  • Chronic Neck and Back Pain

  • Motor-Coordination Impairments

  • Colic

  • Autism

  • Central Nervous System Disorders

  • Orthopedic Problems

  • Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

  • Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

  • Spinal Cord Injuries

  • Scoliosis

  • Infantile Disorders

  • Learning Disabilities

  • Chronic Fatigue

  • Emotional Difficulties

  • Stress and Tension-Related Problems

  • Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders

  • Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)

  • Neurovascular or Immune Disorders

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Post-Surgical Dysfunction

Do you combine Craniosacral therapy with other treatment?

At Abundant Heaven, we often combine modalities and treatment approaches to suit the unique needs and comfort level of our patients.  It is not uncommon to combine Craniosacral therapy with acupuncture and/or herbal formulas to achieve more powerful and long-lasting results.  As with everything we do, we always assess, recommend and then offer treatment that is medically indicated.
 

If you would like to learn more about our treatment methods or to schedule a Craniosacral session with Jessica Giese-Gardner L.Ac. at our clinic in Campbell, California, give us a call today at  408-628-1888.

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