Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a modality that leverages a gentle touch to access deep parts of our body, mind, and spirit. It’s no surprise that this modality really benefits senior clients and people in palliative and hospice care.
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 have a longer lifespan. Cranioscral therapy lead to an improved sense of health and reduced rigidity in severely affected patients. Caregivers found that the decline of cognition, lucidity, and perception were slowed for those receiving CST which 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 stody 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 consisten 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.
