Is CranioSacral Therapy for me?

Do you struggle with pain and stress that won’t go away? Maybe you feel constantly “charged” and can’t relax enough to experience a full night of uninterrupted, restful sleep. Or perhaps you can’t dial down your stress levels or take your mind off of your physical pain and discomfort long enough to incorporate self-care into your daily life. 

Do any of these symptoms feel uncomfortably familiar to you?

-       Head and neck pain

-       Headaches and tmj dysfunction

-       Inability to concentrate

-       Chronic pain

If this is you, please know that you are not alone.  CranioSacral therapy can gently give you relief from physical pain issues and emotional discomfort, allowing you to fully experience your life in a new way.

Jeanette Raskin CST, RMT takes appointments Tuesdays, Wednesday evenings, and Saturdays.

Call 403-347-3261 to book your appointment now.

How does Craniosacral compliment other Medical Interventions?

Most Medical and Healthcare practitioners see CranioSacral Therapy as a gentle and non-invasive Complementary Therapy - it is considered as suitable for the co-treatment of a number of conditions.

Many medical professionals criteria for recommending  therapies is that if it is doing no harm, makes you feel good and does not cost too much then go ahead.

To answer the question more directly, I often receive new clients in the following situations:

·         They have been through formal medical channels.
Often in the case of back pain, stress related illness etc. clients feel they have exhausted all that formal medicine has to offer. This is ideal from my point of view as a full medical history has been built up and the individual's condition has been pre-checked by a medical practitioner.

·         The client wishes to complement formal medical treatment with another therapy.
Many of my pregnant clients and moms with infants and children are receiving formal medical care for their conditions and related complications. They typically continue with this care as they attend CranioSacral Therapy to further relieve symptoms or to reach the parts that they feel formal medical interventions cannot reach.

In summary, in my experience the answer is yes - CranioSacral Therapy can be used alongside formal medical interventions. 

As always, first check with your Healthcare practitioner.

Jeannette Raskin practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca. 

Craniosacral Therapy and Mouth Work

I have been practicing CranioSacral therapy since 2002 and it has helped me and many of my clients.  When most people talk about this therapy they talk about headaches, birth trauma, or chronic pain.  CranioSacral therapy helps all these things.  But I would like to share my experience with CranioSacral therapy and mouth work.  It has changed me.

I should start with a little history.  Now, I did not have any serious mouth or jaw problems growing up that I can remember.  My biggest problem with my jaw was probably stress clenching.  I know that is not a scientific word but I am sure many people know what I am talking about.  As my stress would increase so would my jaw tension.  When I started taking CranioSacral therapy and receiving treatments is when I noticed a significant difference.  After my first mouth work treatment that I received I could not believe the difference.  My mouth felt bigger and much more relaxed.  I started raving about this to my clients and trying the techniques out on them.  From chronic headache sufferers to clients with braces, the results have been amazing.

Another benefit of mouth work, for me at least, has been the ability to speak more freely.  When we have increased tension in and around our mouths it may unknowingly inhibit our ability to speak.  When even some of our tension is released that allows us to speak.

Mouth work in CranioSacral Therapy is something I practice on most of my clients, especially the infants.  I often see children with birth trauma, tongue ties, etc. and I find that mouth work is essential for them to get the results that they need.  While treating infants I am constantly reassuring, explaining and sometimes even showing the parents how much pressure I am using on their children. 

When practicing CranioSacral therapy in the mouth it just as gentle as when you work outside the mouth.  Sometimes even more gentle.  The practitioner uses gloves and can better access some of the bones of the mouth, the teeth, and even some of the muscles.

Jeannette Raskin practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca. 

Craniosacral Therapy: The In's and Out's

How does CranioSacral Therapy work?
CranioSacral Therapy works by helping the body’s natural healing mechanisms dissipate the negative effects of stress on the central nervous system. This is accomplished by utilizing a physiological body system called the craniosacral system, which maintains the environment in which the central nervous system functions.  The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord, extending from the cranium (head) down to the tailbone area (or sacrum). The role of this system in the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord is so vital that an imbalance or dysfunction in it can cause sensory, motor and/or neurological disabilities. For example, if the bite (or jaw) is out of balance, the whole head is out of balance, and often the whole body.

How can something so gentle be so powerful?
The craniosacral system has a rhythm that can be felt throughout the body, just like the pulse. I use a very light touch to monitor this rhythm from head to feet to pinpoint the source of an obstruction or stress. I can then encourage the natural movement of the fluid and soft tissues to help the body self-correct. This simple action is often all it takes to remove a restriction. Sometimes, like peeling layers of an onion, once some restrictions have released and balanced, others may show themselves and need attention.

Jeannette Raskin practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca.

CranioSacral Therapy and Babies

CranioSacral Therapy and Babies

Your baby crying immediately alerts you that there is something wrong in his or her world.

Is your newborn hungry? Tired? Needing a diaper change? Too Cold? Too hot? In pain?

Many first time parents find this guessing game a challenge but gradually as a routine establishes they learn to recognise what their baby’s cry means and how to satisfy their needs.  But what if you have done everything (including checking with doctor or health nurse) and your baby is still crying? Are there other reasons which cause your baby’s distress?
While CranioSacral therapy is of benefit to all babies it is especially helpful to a crying, upset and distressed baby. In my experience the following are the top three reasons for the distress that leads to your infant crying:

1.    Problems arising from the birth process.

2.    Problems with feeding and digesting.

3.    Problems with sleeping.

Infants may have one, or a combination, of the above problems to cause their crying. Let’s look at each one in turn and explore them further. You may recognise aspects of the problems that relate to your infant and why he/she is crying.
1. The Birth Process
If there has been intervention during the birth (induction, caesarean section, vacuum or forceps) or a long and heavy labour – this, in some cases, may have an ill effect on the infant’s head and back. The bones of the skull and spine, the nerves and membranes are moved out of their correct position and so cause the infant discomfort.
While these interventions were necessary for the infant’s safe delivery the excess force can override the baby’s natural ability to allow these bones to slip back into their correct position. If this is a problem for your infant you may notice that your infant tends to turn only in one direction, doesn’t like to lie flat, wants to be held in an upright position or that there are obvious bumps, cone shape or depressions on the head. Some moms notice bruising or marks at side of the head.
When these restrictions are released with the subtle touch of Craniosacral therapy - the baby is happier, sleeps and feeds better and so doesn’t need to cry.
2.  Feeding and digesting
As your infant learns to suck, swallow and breathe - their feeding pattern becomes established. Problems arise when there is a difficulty with any one of these steps. You may notice that your infant is not latching on correctly and is just using the lips to suck. This may cause sore nipples for mum and is not helping with milk flow.
In a Craniosacral treatment I would check that the bones in the mouth are free moving and this then corrects the suck. This is done with a gloved finger in the mouth and works on the bones of the palate as the baby is sucking. Often, it is this final correction done by the Craniosacral therapist that completes the process and allows the baby to feed easily.
3.  Problems with Sleeping
Infants need lots of sleep. Look out for the signs of a sleepy infant (rubbing eyes) and always finish feeding, burping and diaper change before settling baby to sleep. Swaddling your infant provides security and helps him/her fall to sleep but check that they are not too hot. Some infants like to stay close to mom for the first few weeks but it pays to establish a good routine of putting baby into the crib to sleep when you both feel ready.
Some infants may still have difficulty getting to sleep despite mom and dad doing all of the above. Many of these children would have had a difficult birth and go on to develop problems with both feeding and sleeping before I first see them.
When I treat these children I check for any areas of tightness in their body. As these release the baby sighs and relaxes. If the birth has been distressing, we take time to check the effect this has had on the infant, mom (and dad too) if needed. This helps with the bonding process which in turn helps baby to feel more secure and mom to feel more competent. It is common for baby to sleep for a long time after a Craniosacral treatment.  Many parents report that they have had their first night sleep following a Craniosacral treatment.
In summary
While it is ideal to get your infant’s crying problems sorted out as soon as possible after their birth, it is also possible to address these difficulties at any stage throughout your child’s development. I have found, through working with many upset babies – that Craniosacral therapy is a very gentle and effective way of getting baby more comfortable – and providing mom and dad with a practical way of dealing with the distress that leads to crying.

Jeannette Raskin practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca. 

CranioSacral Therapy: Are there Conditions for which it is Unsuitable?

The short answer is yes. There are conditions for which CranioSacral Therapy is unsuitable. Although, one of the things that attracted me to CranioSacral Therapy was the wide range of conditions it can treat – conditions such as sinusitis, infant colic, tinnitus, migraine, etc., as well as the range of ongoing natural and medical conditions that it supports very effectively such as pregnancy care and chronic pain, as well as other specific conditions.

However, the following conditions make the use of CranioSacral Therapy unsuitable:

• ·         Recent skull fractures – for example if you have been recently involved in an accident and there has been serious head trauma (intracranial pressure).
• ·         If a stroke (including acute hemorrhage) has occurred inside the last 6 months. If the condition has been stable for at least six months, then CranioSacral Therapy can be very beneficial.
•         If there has been any recent leaking of the spinal fluid (Due to lumbar puncture etc.). However, once the situation has stabilized and your doctor has given the okay, CranioSacral Therapy is a very effective treatment aid to healing in this area.

• Any swelling in the blood vessels of the head (acute cerebral aneurysms.)

Jeannette Raskin practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca.

Why have CranioSacral Therapy?

Why have CranioSacral Therapy?

         

          Some people come because they feel as though they aren’t coping and that life is very difficult. CranioSacral Therapy can often be a last resort after many years of struggle.

         Some people come because they have long standing health issues which make it very difficult to cope. CranioSacral Therapy can help relieve the emotional and physical side-effects of living with long term illness or pain and can support the body in its natural movement towards health.

         Some people come because they have experienced traumatic events that they cannot move past. CranioSacral Therapy is a very safe, gentle and effective way of treating trauma and post-traumatic states.

         Some people come because they are incredibly stressed and anxious and can’t seem to find any relief from a very busy mind. CranioSacral Therapy is especially good at encouraging a very deep sense of stillness allowing the mind slow down and rest. Many people say they sleep very well after a craniosacral treatment.

         Some people come because they just need to be held and listened to. The most important thing a CranioSacral Therapist does is to simply be present for the client and hold the therapeutic space allowing the client’s process to unfold naturally.

Jeannette Raskin practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca.

How does CranioSacral Therapy work?

How does CranioSacral Therapy work?

CranioSacral Therapy works by helping the body’s natural healing mechanisms dissipate the negative effects of stress on the central nervous system. This is accomplished by utilizing a physiological body system called the craniosacral system.  The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord, extending from the cranium (head) down to the tailbone area (or sacrum). The role of this system in the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord is so vital that an imbalance or dysfunction in it can cause sensory, motor and/or neurological disabilities. For example, if the bite (or jaw) is out of balance, the whole head is out of balance, and often the whole body.
How can something so gentle be so powerful?

The craniosacral system has a rhythm that can be felt throughout the body, just like the pulse. By using a very light touch to monitor this rhythm from head to feet the therapist can pinpoint the source of an obstruction or stress. Then they can encourage the natural movement of the fluid and soft tissues to help the body self-correct. This simple action is often all it takes to remove a restriction. Sometimes, like peeling layers of an onion, once some restrictions have released and balanced, others may show themselves and need attention.

Who is CranioSacral Therapy for?

People may come for CranioSacral Therapy because they have acute physical problems like headaches or bad backs, or long-standing problems both physical and emotional. Others come for ongoing support in their busy lives and for help to meet life’s challenges.

Because it is so gentle and non-invasive, CranioSacral Therapy is suitable for everyone from newborns to the elderly. Mothers and babies often come for problems associated with difficult or traumatic births. Letting go of tension and fear held in the body enables both to settle into calmness.

CranioSacral Therapy supports your body’s innate ability to balance, restore and heal itself, as well as helping to reduce stress and build your underlying energy. The practitioner senses tensions in the body and helps them to release in a supported and comfortable way. During or after a session you may feel calm and energized, with increased clarity of mind and a feeling of well being.

Jeannette Raskin practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca.

What to expect from a CranioSacral therapy treatment?

What to expect from a CranioSacral therapy treatment?

Before the treatment - If this is your first appointment, we will first work through your medical history and your expectations from this CranioSacral Therapy treatment. You will then lie down comfortably - fully-clothed. If it is a child (under 16) or infant, you may be present during the entire treatment.

I will then use a light touch (about the weight of a nickel), beginning at the feet, to assess where restrictions and other related problems are in your body.  Once this is completed, I continue to work through other parts of your body.

During the treatment - Most people feel a general sense of relaxation (in fact many people fall asleep early in the treatment). Some people also feel heat, cold or a stretching of tissues in particular parts of the body.  The treatment generally lasts about an hour for adults and 30 minutes for infants and children.  This can vary depending on the person.

Following the treatment – Some people feel light headed immediately after a treatment. You will normally feel tired after the treatment, but after a short rest and a glass of water, you will be well capable of driving home.

The amount of treatment needed depends on the condition, severity and age of the client.  Some people need as few as one treatment to notice changes.

Jeannette Raskin practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca 

Family CranioSacral Care

Family CranioSacral Care 

We do whatever we can for our children. To make our children’s lives better we will research, investigate and seek out any and all tools that will help us in that endeavor. CranioSacral therapy is a treatment that can help children and adults in ways no other approaches can.
Even though it has proven to be highly effective, most people have never heard of CranioSacral therapy. The treatment is a gentle, hands-on approach that allows the therapist to assess the integrity and function of the muscles, membranes and fascia, which is the connective tissue that surrounds our muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.
Typically, the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid should move throughout the body with ease. If there is a restriction, the flow is detoured, stopped or reduced. Picture a log falling into a river. At first the water moves around it and if the log is removed the normal flow returns. If the log is not removed, the flow of the river changes and the structures it flows over change too. In time, the detoured water changes the surrounding landscape.
In the human body an initial insult, such as the use of vacuum extraction at birth, getting stuck in the birth canal, a head injury, or a fall, causes a restriction, sort of a “wrinkle” in the body’s fascia. For most of us, our bodies hurt for a while then heal. When an injury doesn’t heal on its own, the body begins to make allowances for it. The accommodations begin in the fascia: just minor tension and pulling as we move. If the restriction remains the muscles are affected, so maybe our posture turns a little to the right, or we shift our weight to the inside of the soles of our feet. As time goes on, the muscles start affecting the bone, causing heel spurs or hip pops. The “landscape” has changed.
Craniosacral therapy stops the changing of the landscape and restores function and balance to the body. It begins with an assessment of the craniosacral system, based on the symmetry, quality, amplitude and rate of the cerebrospinal fluid.
These four characteristics are assessed throughout the body at various locations such as the pelvis, ribs, collarbones, neck, and base of the head. Once the body is assessed then treatment can begin.

Treatment is surprisingly gentle. Only five grams of pressure (about the weight of a nickel) on the affected areas can cause the fascia to release the restrictions. Treatment restores normal function to the body.

Jeannette Raskin, CST, RMT practices at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer T4R 2C3 www.family1stchiro.ca