Our world is in no short supply of stress these days. And no matter how well we manage it, chronic stress (living in constant fight-or-flight mode) can damage the cardiovascular system, weaken the immune system, increase weight gain, accelerate the aging process, cause mental health issues and more.1,2
Once admired philosophies, like “burning the candle at both ends” and “spinning seven plates at a time,” are fading as people become aware of their long-term effects on health and quality of life. While our bodies are amazing and will compensate to push through stressful circumstances, the cumulative effects of chronic exposure come at a cost. Humans simply did not evolve to live under chronically stressful conditions.
Stress itself is not an enemy, but chronic stress is. Prioritizing the integration of calm moments into a daily routine can help counteract the exposure. In fact, the only variable we can effectively control in this equation is actively seeking moments of calm. Being in a calm state supports the body’s innate ability to self-regulate and function properly.3
There are countless tools, practices and therapies geared towards stress reduction and calming the body. (Pro tip: Do not counterintuitively stress about your health and wellness routine.) Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a lesser-known treatment gaining momentum in the health and wellness arena. CST uses gentle and intentional hands-on techniques to rebalance and calm the body, reducing the nervous system arousal state (fight-or-flight) of the body’s physical and mental structures. It is in this rest-and-digest state that the body does its maintenance and repair work, similar to sleeping, and is a critical component of any wellness regimen.
Benefits of CST include pain and stress relief, relaxation, and overall improved emotional well-being.4 A meta-analysis of randomized control trials assessing CST for chronic pain (back pain, headache, fibromyalgia, epicondylitis and pelvic girdle pain), concludes not only significant improvement in pain and function, but that the improvement lasted up to six months after treatment.5 Other clinical trials show significant effects using CST to treat symptom relief for a wide range of physical and mental conditions, including anxiety, developmental disorders, neurological conditions (including restless legs syndrome), tinnitus, insomnia, infantile colic, ADHD and asthma in all age groups.3,5,6,7,8
A prospective cohort study of 220 patients, ages from infancy to adults, received CST for both chronic and acute conditions. Researchers found a statistical significance in reduction of symptom intensity and disability and improvements in quality of life, before and after treatment. The study concluded that CST appears to be overall effective for prevention and therapeutic treatment in primary care, as well as safe in infants, children and adults.3
In my experience as a naturopathic doctor and CST practitioner, I’ve witnessed some of the most profound effects using CST to address specific health conditions and as part of an overall self-care regimen.
Dr. Shari Jainuddin is a naturopathic primary care doctor at One Life Naturopathic and a craniosacral practitioner. She can be reached at (442) 256.5963 or visit www.onelifenaturopathic.org.
References available upon request.
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