What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a very gentle, hands on treatment that allows us to feel the motion of the cerebral spinal fluid in your head and also in the body. Cranio means head, and sacrum the tailbone, and the spinal column in between. Hence the name CranioSacral Therapy or CST.
Dr. John Upledger helped developed the modern form of this osteopathic technique in the mid 1970’s. He found that CST helped with a variety of conditions-headaches, migraines, autism, closed head injuries, PTSD, concussions and lower back pain to name a few.
How does CST help with Alzheimer’s and dementia?
Our research has shown that people with Alzheimer’s have significantly less flow of cerebral spinal fluid (75% less) than normal adults. It’s as if the brain shrinks and dries up over time. CST helps to increase the flow of cerebral spinal fluid back to more normal levels. This is reflected in clearer thinking, ability to remember decreased agitation.
What if someone I know has already progressed with the disease. Can it help them?
Yes. Of course it all depends on how far they have progressed. Our research has found that often years before someone has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, they have had one or more of the diseases of aging-diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, autoimmune diseases. This in turn causes inflammation in the body which can then ‘overflow’ into the brain. In essence dementia doesn’t ‘come out of the blue’. It’s been building in many cases for years.
What we do in CST is address the immediate problem-inflammation in the brain-and then work backward to also help reduce inflammation in the body.
How can this help with prevention?
Yes. And as the saying goes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We have found that monthly CST, along with even moderate changes in diet and some light exercise can help prevent further problems from developing. If fact. CST has proven over years to be effective
What are some of the benefits I may expect from treatment with CST?
Most people typically feel some relaxation in the body and a better sense of well being. In the case of dementia or advanced Alzheimer’s the most commonly noted result is more relaxation and less stress to the system. This is followed over time, by less agitation, then a gradual return of more clarity and some gradual return of short-term memory.
How do I get immediate assistance? Who do I contact?
Fill out the contact form below. Put down your name, email and zip code and we will do our best to connect you with one our ‘longevity experts’ who can do an assessment for you and your loved ones and suggest a treatment program going forward.
What if I am interested in including this in a senior care facility? How can I go about doing this?
Contact your local senior longevity expert. They will get in touch with your contact and arrange to meet with them, and give them an introduction to CST and our program to train in house staff.
What evidence do you have to substantiate your claims?
Several years ago I helped to coordinate a research study on patients with mid to late stage dementia in nursing homes. We found that CST helped residents to regain memory, reduce agitation and assist cognitive function. We have continued to replicate these results in other senior centers and encouraged CST therapists around the study to write case studies of their individual experiences.
What is the bodyenergy longevity prescription?
CranioSacral Therapy, changes in diet, and exercise. We’ve found that even moderate changes in diet can make a difference in a person’s ability to think clearly and effectively. The same goes for even moderate exercise. Our idea is to ‘stack all the cards’ in our favor.
What role does diet play in all of this? Why?
Many researches, among them a new breed of MD’s called functional medicine, see food as medicine. In other words, certain foods can encourage inflammation in the body, and others can have the opposite effect
Do I need all 3-CranioSacral Therapy, exercise, and diet-to get the benefit of prevention and reversal?
Not necessary. We have suggested a number of things that seem to accelerate progress and speed results, but doing a little at a time is fine. See how your mind and body feels, and see if it makes sense for you to try some of these other suggestions as you move forward. Even just a bit of these approaches can have a positive effect.
What should I expect during a session?
Most typically-immediately- a greater sense of rest and relaxation. Over time, greater flexibility and improved ability to get deeper rest in the evening. The number of sessions depend on the history and challenges to the body you have gathered over time. After an initial session, you and your therapist will work out a schedule that works for you. Plan to try 2-3 sessions to get a good idea if CST is helping you.
How long will it take to see the results?
In the case of at risk, early onset and mid stage dementia we have developed a treatment protocol. This is an ongoing program that can be applied by trained practioners, healthcare workers in a senior facility and family at home after a simple two-day training. Because there has been a momentum of stress building in the brain over years, it takes some time to gently put on the brakes, slow the momentum, and bring the brain to a more restful state. Then we build on that state to repair and bring the brain back to capacity.
In practical terms, after about 3 weeks of consistent daily treatment we can expect to see some shifts begging to occur.
How much does it cost?
Sessions usually last an hour and the price may be equivalent to getting a massage in your area, depending on the experience of your practioner. Ask your therapist for references and their pricing schedule.
Is it covered by insurance?
Often this depends on the licensing of the therapists. If a CST practioner is a physical therapist, certain treatments or a portion thereof may be covered. The same is true of occupational therapists, chiropractors, and other professionals. Massage therapists may not be covered to such a wide degree, and the same is true of Medicare, although in the case of Medicare we would like to see a recognition that therapies such as this may have equal or better value than some traditional treatments.
If I am interested in taking a class about CST, what can I do?
Go to preventingalzheimers.com/classes to look for 2 day classes in your area. If you don’t see one close to you, email us at michael.morgan@preventingalzheimers.com and ask us to find you a class closest to you.
