Have various levels of chronic pain become part of your daily life? Do you find yourself trying to deal with migraines, nighttime headaches, or excessive tension that won’t clear up? If you’ve answered yes to these questions, then you may be dealing with issues related to your craniosacral system.
Few people know that you can visit the local Noosa physio for chronic headaches and stress reduction. The good news is that a few sessions of specialised massage may be just what you need to help you deal with stagnant pain and tension. What is cranio-sacral therapy, and how can it benefit your life? This post takes a closer look at this little-known service on offer from your physiotherapist.
Dealing With Chronic Pain Doesn’t Have to Be a Nightmare
Anyone who suffers from, or tries to deal with, chronic pain will tell you that it’s not only challenging but exhausting. This is especially true if the individual is trying to juggle endless pain with normal living that includes work and chores.
In many cases, commercial pharmaceuticals aren’t enough to provide the relief needed. Here’s what you need to know about Canio-Sacral Therapy as a potential treatment.
- Understanding Cranio-Sacral Therapy
Cranio-Sacral Therapy, or CST as it’s also known, refers to the technique of gentle massage to release tension and blockages in the cranio-sacral system. This refers to the cerebrospinal fluid and membranes that surround and protect your brain and the surrounding area.
For the most part, CST has been designed to influence the rhythms in your central nervous system. Gentle massages and taps on the nerves help to enhance the general flow of cerebrospinal fluid. When this happens, restrictions in the tissue are released, and it becomes easier for the body to relax, rebalance, and eventually restore itself.
CST is popular with Australians of all ages. The most common benefits that patients have reported include the following:
- Pain relief for chronic pain
- Relief of constant headaches and the symptoms associated with migraines, tension, and cluster headaches
- Improved cognitive function and improved memory in Dementia patients
- Enables people suffering from chronic stress to relax
- Improves quality of life when patients can go back to doing their daily activities
- Reduces depression and insomnia symptoms
- Know What CST Can Help With
CST is a common therapy used by Australian physiotherapists and can be used to treat and provide relief for a wide range of conditions. The most common of these include the following:
- Chronic pain: A therapist will typically use CST to help ease and eliminate chronic pain by releasing built-up tension throughout the cranio-sacral system.
- Stress and tension: Gentle and specific touches instantly calm the nervous system and help to reduce anxiety and stress.
- Chronic fatigue: Releasing stuck tension in the body promotes relaxation, which can improve sleep. This eases symptoms associated with constant fatigue.
- Migraines and headaches: CST works for migraines and headaches when gentle touches and taps are used to improve the movement and function of the fascia in the neck and face area.
- Fibromyalgia: Gentle touches calm the nervous system, which eases a range of symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.
- Trauma recovery: The simple and gentle techniques used in CST help to support the body’s natural healing process. This is especially helpful after emotional or physical trauma.
- Digestive disorders: CST can also be applied to the abdomen to ease digestive and IBS disorders.
- Newborns and babies: The CST movements can also be used to assist babies who have experienced alignment dysfunctions that may have occurred during the birthing process. This process can ease and resolve colic and discomfort.
- A Simple and Comfortable Treatment
The biggest drawcard to a CST session is that it’s a non-invasive treatment that resembles a mild massage. The patient will lie down on a regular treatment table, and the CST professional will gently touch specific pressure points on the spine, head and other affected body parts.
Patients have reported experiencing the following:
- Subtle energy shifts throughout the body
- A lingering sense of relaxation
- Darts of emotional releases
- Relief from pressure and pain
It’s essential to point out that CST differs from some of the more commonly used deep tissue treatments. Unlike other massages, CST doesn’t force action in the body with hard rubs and massages. Rather, gentle movements are used to encourage the body’s natural healing rhythms and work at the body’s own pace. This often makes the treatments more lasting and effective.
Final Thoughts
If you feel as though you’ve tried just about every type of potential treatment for your chronic pain without finding the results you’re after, it may be time to consider a CST session with your local physiotherapist.
Some of the advantages you can look forward to include positives such as improved cognitive function, reduced anxiety and stress, and, of course, pain relief, which often leads to better overall well-being. This makes this treatment well worth considering for just about any ailment that results in chronic pain.
