Do you suffer from frequent headaches and/or migraines?? Have conventional treatments/medications been ineffective or limited in their result? Are you looking for a non-medicinal option? Read on!
Q: What are some of the causes of headaches and migraines?
A: Tension, stress, environmental, a blow to the head, a concussion, and whiplash are the most common, just to name a few.
Q: What are some of the natural responses to a headache or migraine?
A: The most common are light sensitivity, pressure, sound sensitivity, dizziness, and nausea.
While medicinal options help many who are suffering from headaches and migraines, what about those for whom medicinal options are ineffective or are allergic to or otherwise opposed to medicinal intervention? The answer may be craniosacral therapy. The benefits of craniosacral therapy are profound, while the treatment itself is very subtle. It does not involve the taking of any over-the-counter or prescription medications, which can have a host of unknown and foreseen effects on the body.
So, you’re probably wondering, how do I know if craniosacral therapy is right for me?
Starting off with a deep dive into the cause helps identify the best course of treatment. Knowing the “What” can help you get to the bottom of the “Why” and the “How” can help you get to the “Ahh…much better!”
Sometimes you don’t know the cause, and that’s ok! Sometimes, it’s a gradual progression of increased symptoms. All of the causes of headaches and migraines result in increased pressure and make the cranial bones jam/lock up instead of articulate (your cranial bones are not fused!) due to increased pressure and tension in the muscles. Being in a calming, soothing, dark environment (sound-proofing is a great bonus!) will help put you at ease and allow you to fully relax, clear your mind and allow your therapist to feel the cranial rhythm to start to alleviate the pressures and unravel the tension built up. While you are relaxing on the table, you may notice a very light pressure. In fact, the super-majority of people don’t even recognize this slight pressure. This is completely normal and correct! The pressure therapists use to feel the cranial rhythm is the weight of a dime, but don’t worry, this won’t be a waste of your time. If you’re calm enough and in tune with your treatment, you can actually feel the shift. It is definitely a unique experience. Each session should result in less frequent or significantly diminished headaches and migraines. Like any other form of treatment, this is not a “one and-done” fix-all. However, you should see drastic results as long as you’re seeking treatment regularly and being proactive in your own progress. After treatment, you should feel lighter, clearer (mentally less foggy), and rejuvenated.
But what about the “sacral” portion of the “craniosacral” therapy?
Well, that treats a wide variety of ailments also! One of my more uncommon uses for craniosacral therapy was probably one of my biggest success stories. One of my clients came in with Tarlov Cysts. What are they? In short, they are fluid-filled nerve root cysts found most commonly at the sacral level of the spine. So, knowing the cause of them, and treatment options, I decided to take on this client, who had been unsuccessful with other clinicians and therapists. It was a challenge I was willing to accept to help someone in need who could not find relief anywhere else. In fact, a spine specialist had referred this patient based on the benefits of craniosacral therapy – and I’m glad they did because after a few months of regular treatment, this client returned for additional scans, and the Tarlov Cysts had completely disappeared!
Looking at the other reasons to use craniosacral therapy, it can help those suffering from mental fogginess, birth trauma, trauma to the sacrum, cerebral palsy, bell’s palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS),…etc. But what benefits come from treatment? With regular treatment, you can experience mental acuity, less pain and pressure, increased mobility, relieving tension in the central nervous system (CNS) – which helps boost your immune system and fight off infections – and increased productivity. While not a cure-all, the benefits of craniosacral therapy are truly amazing.
I hope you found this article helpful and that you try craniosacral therapy treatment in the near future!
