Craniosacral therapy is one of the safe, alternative therapies the BART Foundation believes may help brain injury survivors. The BART Foundation aims to promote better outcomes for TBI/ABI survivors by answering three questions – which alternative therapies are likely to work, where can they be found, and how can they be afforded? One of the ways we fulfill our mission is by carefully watching global research and clinical trial outcomes and sharing that information, in user-friendly language, with the TBI/ABI community.
In this research article from Medical Acupuncture, Gail Wetzler, PT, DPT, EDO, BI-D, Melinda Roland, MA, PT, LAc, OMD, Dipl-Ac, CST-D, Sally Fryer-Dietz, PT, DPT, CDT-D, SIPT Cert, and Dee Dettmann-Ahern, PT, BI-D describe the effects of CranioSacral Therapy (CST), Visceral Manipulation (VM), and Neural Manipulation (NM) modalities for treating patients who have post-concussion syndrome. The goal of their study was to evaluate these effects on immobility, pain intensity, quality of life, sleep disorders, and cognition in these patients.
This single-blinded case series was conducted at the Upledger Institute, in West Palm Beach, FL. The patients were 11 male retired professional football players from the National Football League and the Canadian Football League who had been medically diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. Previous studies have indicated that some manual therapies could be helpful for treating patients who have post-concussive syndrome.
The outcome of the study was that ten sessions of specific CST/VM/NM therapy resulted in statistically greater improvements in pain intensity, ROM, memory, cognition, and sleep in concussed patients. To read the full study, visit the National Library of Medicine’s website.
Here are two relatively safe and reliable ways to find a CST practitioner:
- A physician who practices craniosacral therapy, (usually a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, a DO) or
- Some practitioners with suitable credentials from The Upledger Institute – a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), nurse, or other health care professionals.
Accordingly, here are two lists, one from the Osteopathic Cranial Academy, and the second with candidates who have been credentialed by the Upledger Institute, the premier School of CST.
The Osteopathic Cranial Academy: DO’s and Dentists who practice within the cranio field:
To find a physician: http://cranialacademy.org/find-a-physician/
The American Craniosacral Therapy Association: Endorsed by the Upledger Institute
To find a practitioner: http://www.iahp.com/pages/search/index.php#result
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