Complimentary Chiropractic Treatments: Aiding Migraines, Headaches, and Sinusitis through Craniosacral Therapy
Migraines, headaches, and sinusitis are more than just a minor annoyance—they can seriously impact your quality of life. For sufferers of migraines in particular, the intense pain experienced can cause people to miss work and social obligations. Fortunately, craniosacral therapy, an alternative treatment used by chiropractors, therapists, and other medical practitioners, can soothe some of the pain associated with the symptoms of these conditions.
What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Developed by Dr. John Upledger in 1983, craniosacral therapy is based on cranial osteopathy and can only be taught to and practiced by licensed healthcare practitioners or certified light-touch practioners. It is intended to relieve pain and to improve the patient’s health and whole-body performance. During a treatment session, the chiropractor uses a gentle touch to ease restrictions in the tissues around the patient’s central nervous system. While craniosacral therapy can be used to address migraines, headaches, and sinusitis, it is also sometimes used as a preventative measure to boost the patient’s resistance to disease.
How Does the Treatment Work?
Your brain and spinal cord, which make up your central nervous system, have a strong influence over the way the rest of your body functions—and they are influenced by your craniosacral system. The craniosacral system is comprised of fluids and membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord.
When your craniosacral system is distorted by stresses in your body, tension and restrictions can form around your brain and spinal cord. This inhibits your central nervous system’s performance and can cause problems such as stiffness and pain throughout the rest of your body.
However, your chiropractor can detect some of these restrictions through light touch and the practice of craniosacral therapy. Chiropractors examine different parts of your body to test its range of motion and the rhythm of the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord and brain. Through a series of gentle adjustments and techniques, your chiropractor can release restrictions in the tissues that impact the behavior of your craniosacral system.
Using Craniosacral Therapy for Migraines, Headaches, and Sinusitis
Craniosacral therapy is used to treat a wide range of conditions including migraines, headaches, and sinusitis. The treatment is believed to relieve pressure from nerves and blood vessels that may be causing headaches and other pains—and it can also reduce stress. As many migraines are brought on by stress and anxiety, craniosacral therapy can also be an effective preventative measure, as recipients frequently report a more relaxed state of being after a craniosacral therapy treatment.
Patient responses to craniosacral therapy vary widely based on the individual and his or her condition. Some patients begin to see improvements after one session, while others may need a series of treatments over the course of several weeks. One of the greatest benefits of chiropractic care is that the treatment plan can easily be adjusted to meet the patient’s individual needs. Your chiropractor can help you determine whether or not craniosacral therapy may be effective for your migraines, headaches, and sinusitis, and he or she can also figure out how many treatments you might need before feeling some relief from your pain. Usually after a few craniosacral therapy sessions, your chiropractor and you will know if this course of treatment is working or if a different approach ought to be pursued.
~~ Dr. DeAnn Adams, DC, provider of chiropractic care since 1998, is further trained and certified in Acupuncture, Applied Kinesiology, CranioSacral Therapy and other complimentary modalities. Her wellness practice for humans is located at 16541 Haven Road, Little Falls MN 56345. You may contact “Dr. D” at 320-632-6757 or via email.
“Dr. D” also offers animal chiropractic services for horses, cats and dogs. Her service area includes but is not limited to the communities of Little Falls, Saint Cloud, Brainerd, Long Prairie and Onamia.