Reasons for Treatment

Reasons for Treatment/Referral:

Acute injuries – They are gentle techniques with minimal contraindications that can be used within 24 hours of injury (contraindications would include, internal bleeds and certain conditions, such as liver or kidney failure). It is ideal for falls, concussions, and head injuries (sports, car accidents).
Head injury and concussion -- Cranialsacral therapy advanced techniques assists with CSF hydraulics, self correction of facia, tentorium, intraoral techniques for deep restriction. Proven results with clients who are having symptoms, headache, memory loss, insomnia, where CAT scan results are normal but symptoms persist.

Chronic Injuries – In cases where the soft tissues (fascia, fluid, and whole body structures) are not healing well and other options have been used. Sometimes, older injuries affect the healing ability of newer injuries. By stimulating fascia, acupressure meridians, trigger point referrals, and antagonistic structures, relief and reduction of pain symptoms can be achieved.

Unidentified Pain, Tests Negative – In cases where all diagnostic tests are negative and the client still reports experiencing pain, reviewing muscle trigger point referral patterns and antagonistic muscle tension are considered.

Scar Tissue – These specialized modalities can be used to decrease adhesions from scar tissue developed after surgical procedures (such as: caesarean sections, laparoscopy, hysterectomy, gall bladder removal, appendix removal and ovary removal).

Depression and anxiety – In cases where clients suffer from structural restrictions affecting the autonomic nervous system, Cranialsacral therapy is incorporated to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and acupressure points are used to increase breath flow. A normal functioning parasympathetic system assists with “resting, digesting, healing, sleeping, breathing and reduction of anxiety. Increasing parasympathetic system function enhances body’s ability to heal (rest and digest). Therefore, the stimulation of this system has a positive correlation with an improved immune response. With treatment, clients have reported: less depression; greater clarity of mind; increased REM sleep (decreasing insomnia); a greater sense of happiness and well being; and a decreased asthmatic response (by reducing tension in the intrinsic muscles used for breathing, diaphragm, and intercostal muscles).

Specific Pain Syndromes -- Conditions such as TMJ (jaw pain), headaches, sinus, whiplash, sciatica, carpel tunnel, and thoracic outlet syndrome are relieved by the use of Cranialsacral therapy and intra-oral work. By facilitating the fluid hydraulics of cranial system, decreasing the inner tensions of the dural tube and attachments to vertebral bodies, pressure is taken off the nerves and tissues. Intra-oral treatments for jaw pain, headaches and cervical tension.

Mind/Body Awareness and Psychosomatic Pain – At times, clients will experience intense emotions that manifest physically in their bodies. It will be demonstrated by tension in the neck, shoulders and jaw, because of their inability to release emotions. For example, a client experienced a reduction in painful physical symptoms after the emotional release and talking about their situation during treatment. Detachment from the physical body and emotional stressors, results in suppressed emotions and corresponding tension in the physical tissues. Release of painful tissues can trigger an emotional response in correlation with significant emotional events. This is known as a somatoemotional release. Once the emotion is discharged, the tissues release and the client experiences relief from the painful symptoms, frequently, pain felt in the neck, head, back and jaw are related to stress, anxiety and grief.

See brochure from College of Massage Therapists – Understanding Your Responses to Touch Therapy