Craniosacral Therapy Massage for Seniors
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a modality that uses a gentle touch to access deep parts of the body, mind, and spirit. This technique of massage works directly with the nervous system more than the muscles. Many physical symptoms and conditions can benefit from Craniosacral Therapy because it helps release adhesions and restrictions held within the nervous system. These adhesions form during stressful times, emotional traumas, physical traumas, and anytime the fight-flight-freeze response is stimulated but not acted upon.
The following study can help us understand some of the benefits CST can have for elderly clients: GERIATRIC APPLICATIONS OF CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY: Established allied health professionals’ use of a complementary modality
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Patients with Parkinson’s disease who received Craniosacral Therapy reported a decrease in pain and improved comfort. They felt relaxed and experienced an improvement in mobility, balance, and expression. Though results were not permanent, the effects were positive and with continued treatments it’s possible that the benefits could be sustained over longer stretches of time. Cranioscral therapy lead to an improved sense of health and a reduction in rigidity in patients severely affected. Caregivers found that the decline of cognition, lucidity, and perception were slowed in those receiving Craniosacral Therapy. This \ allowed longer time spent in community. Therapists noted improved passive range of motion, as well.
POST-STROKE AND TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACKS
Those who have suffered from a Stroke and received Craniosacral therapy in this study reported improved movement, balance, communication, sleep, and digestion.
GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS & DYSPHAGIA
Craniosacral therapy helped relieve digestive symptoms such as hiatal hernias, IBS, gastric reflux, and Crohn’s disease.
NONSPECIFIC OUTCOMES
Therapists noted that their patients, regardless of the presenting health concern, experienced consistent benefits in sleep, stress tolerance, energy, appetite, and focus. It helped clients to take longer, deeper breathes which can have profound effects on the body, mind, and spirit of clients. Clients had improved digestion, decreases in anxiety and depression, and felt an overall increase in general well-being.