Migraine: A Most Puzzling Condition

Migraines remain one of the most prevalent and puzzling conditions in the health care community today. Many health practitioners use 'migraine' as a catch-all phrase to classify intense head pain. But as anyone who suffers true migraines will tell you, it's so much more than that. The key to long-term success is relieving the underlying cause of the migraine in addition to releasing the pain.

Few structures in the human body have as much influence over its ability to function properly as the brain and spinal cord that make up the central nervous system. And few systems have as much impact on the brain and spinal cord as the membranes and fluids that surround and protect them which are collectively called the craniosacral system.

Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST)

It is my belief that CST works by manipulating the bones of the skull and the dura mater in a way that relieves cerebrospinal fluid pressure or arterial pressure.

Dura Mater:  The brain and spinal cord cannot have any pressure on it. There is a connective tissue that protects them both, the dura mater or dura, the 
upper cervical vertebrae, to the tail bone, and scull bones outermost of the three layers of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The dura is responsible for keeping in the cerebrospinal fluid. The name dura mater is derived from the Latin "hard mother" or "tough mother". The dura attaches to the periosteum, the connective tissues of the bone, of the boney protuberances inside the scull and on every level of the spine.

However, some people question whether the bones and dura mater are as flexible as this would require to effectively treat migraines. Do not dismiss CST completely, in spite of some of the literature or lack of literature on this subject. A highly regarded headache specialist says CST is effective because it relieves the nerve fibers within the sutures of the skull. In my experience and direct evidence from the results of my patients, Cranial Sacral Therapy is highly effective for those who suffer with Migraines.  After 3 to 4 CST sessions, patients have reported great results and a continual drop on the pain scale! 

As an osteopathy therapist I developed a set of gentle techniques to release restrictions in the craniosacral system, which can then free the central nervous system and enable it to perform at peak capacity.

Experiments conducted and publications scientifically explain the function of the craniosacral system. CST can be used to evaluate and treat malfunctions involving the brain and spinal cord.

CST and Migraine

CST is being used successfully at Osteoklinika to relieve a variety of sensory and/or motor neurological dysfunctions. In addition to migraines, headaches, neck and back pain, it is being used effectively on jaw dysfunction (TMJ), chronic fatigue, muscle coordination difficulties, depression, eye problems, hyperactivity, central nervous system disorders and many other conditions.

With migraines, of course, there can be multiple causes. Virtually anything that interferes with the autonomic nervous control of the blood vessels in the head can result in migraine. In general, CST does a very good job of normalizing autonomic nervous activity. It effectively mobilizes the membrane system within the head to take pressure off either the nerve that is controlling the blood vessel, or the blood vessel that may be causing the headache. It is also an effective stress reducer, which makes it particularly effective with migraines since they're often precipitated or triggered by stress.

For over 10 years I've seen migraines and headaches respond well to CST. In my experience, within 4 to 10 sessions you will either know the migraines are responding to the therapy or it will have fully corrected the underlying problem that led to the pain in the first place.

Response to CST varies from individual to individual and condition to condition. Your response is uniquely your own and can't be compared to anyone else's — even those cases that may appear to be similar to your own. The number of sessions needed varies widely — from just one up to three or more a week over the course of several weeks.

How CST is Performed

CST is performed on a fully clothed body, and a session can last anywhere from 45 minutes to more than an hour. Using light touch, generally no more than the weight of a nickel, the osteopathic practitioner monitors the rhythm of the fluid pulsing through the craniosacral system to detect potential restrictions and imbalance. The osteopathic manual practitioner uses delicate manual techniques to release those problem areas and relieve undue pressure on the brain and spinal cord. The result is a central nervous system free of restrictions, and a body that's able to return to its greatest levels of performance.

What conditions does CST address?

•        Migraines and Headaches
•        Chronic Neck and Back Pain
•        Stress and Tension-Related Disorders
•        Motor-Coordination Impairments
•        Infant and Childhood Disorders
•        Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
•        Chronic Fatigue
•        Fibromyalgia
•        TMJ Syndrome
•        Scoliosis
•        Central Nervous System Disorders
•        Learning Disabilities
•        Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
•        Orthopaedic Problems
•        and many other conditions

For more information regarding Migraines or headaches, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.  

"How does CranioSacral Therapy Work?” The Upledger Institute.