Craniosacral Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain

Haller, Heidemarie; Lauche, Romy; Cramer, Holger; Rampp, Thomas; Saha, Felix Joyonto; Ostermann, Thomas; Dobos, Gustav

doi:10.1097/ajp.0000000000000290

Cited by 51 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Reverse/reaction phenomena, for example, are defined as the worsening of treated symptoms shortly after segmental injection [ 23 ]. Other complementary therapies have also been found to worsen patient symptoms initially [ 24 – 26 ]. Retrograde phenomena flowing segmental treatment, on the other hand, are defined as the development of pain in a related interference field that had previously been clinically silent [ 1 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emotional release and physical symptom improvement: a qualitative analysis of self-reported outcomes and mechanisms in patients treated with neural therapy

Haller

Saha

Ebner

et al. 2018

BMC Complement Altern Med

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BackgroundNeural Therapy (NT) is a common complementary treatment approach using injections with short-acting local anesthetics to treat pain and chronic diseases. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms and the domains of treatment response. This study therefore analyzed patient experiences following NT injections with procaine.MethodsMaximum variation sampling was used to collect data from semi-structured interviews conducted with 22 hospital inpatients aged 59.6 ± 14.9 years (81.8% female). Each had multiple (9.4 ± 6.9) diagnoses. They were undergoing two weeks of integrative treatment, which included individualized NT. The interview data were analyzed in MAXQDA using qualitative content analysis.ResultsWith injection, patients first described local anesthetic effects including temporary blocking of pain and increased local warmth. Second, patients reported on vegetative reactions frequently leading to turmoil within the body like initial aggravation of existing symptoms or the appearance of new, concealed or phantom symptoms. This often required the need for rest to deal with the treatment stimulus. As a third step, many patients could gain physical and emotional release and relief in symptoms, mood and functioning. Emotional release was often accompanied by weeping and initially overwhelmed affected patients with dissociated memories. However, in cases where patients were able to experience those memories with a new distance, a fourth step of integration was achievable. It included reframing processes as well as a gain in pain perception and body-awareness. As a possible fifth step, patients experienced improved mood, increased pain acceptance and empowerment. Adverse events of NT included pain from the injections, vegetative complaints and emotional turmoil that lasted for minutes or hours, with a maximum of two days.ConclusionsPatients treated with procaine injections reported different psychophysiological outcomes contributing to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying NT. Further efficacy studies should separate specific NT from non-specific/placebo effects.Trial registrationDRKS00004567.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2369-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emotional release and physical symptom improvement: a qualitative analysis of self-reported outcomes and mechanisms in patients treated with neural therapy

Haller

Saha

Ebner

et al. 2018

BMC Complement Altern Med

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“…CST has been studied for treating fibromyalgia, 17 temporomandibular disorders, 18 migraine, 19 lateral epicondylitis, 20 dementia, 21 multiple sclerosis, 22 chronic low-back pain, 23 and chronic neck pain. 24 …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation: A New Treatment Intervention for Concussion Recovery

Wetzler¹,

Roland²,

Fryer-Dietz³

et al. 2017

Medical Acupuncture

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Background: Military service members and veterans face health issues related to traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially during combat, use of heavy equipment, and exposures to environmental hazards and explosives. There were 400,000 TBIs reported in deployed U.S. troops in 2012. Athletes are also subject to TBI. Studies have indicated that some manual therapies could be helpful for treating patients who have post-concussive syndrome.Objective: This case series report describes 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 this study was to evaluate these effects on immobility, pain intensity, quality of life, sleep disorders, and cognition in these patients.Materials and Methods: 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. Each participant received a morning and afternoon 2-hour session of these three specific manual therapies, which were capable of accessing and addressing the structural, vascular, and neurologic tissues of the cranium and brain—as well addressing far-reaching ramifications throughout the body following trauma. The main outcome measures were scores on the: Impact Neurocognitive Test; Dynavisiontm Test; Short Form–36 Quality of Life Survey, Headache Impact Test, Dizziness Handicap Inventory; a numeric pain rating scale; orthopedic range of motion tests (ROM); and vestibular testing. Hours of sleep were also checked. These outcome measures were registered at baseline, after treatment, and after a 3-month follow up.Results: Statistically significant differences were seen with a decrease in overall pain rating scale scores (P = 0.0448), and cervicogenic pain levels decreased (P = 0.0486). There were statistically significant increases in Dynavision Average Reaction Time (P = 0.0332), Memory Test (P = 0.0156) scores, and cervical ROM scores (P = 0.0377). Hours of sleep averaged 2 hours on the first day of treatment and increased to 4.0 hours at the end of treatment and were continuing to increase, as noted at a 3-month evaluation.Conclusions: Ten sessions of specific CST/VM/NM therapy resulted in statistically greater improvements in pain intensity, ROM, memory, cognition, and sleep in concussed patients.

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“…Suboccipital relaxation is an osteopathic method targeting the structures of the craniospinal region as well as the surrounding soft tissue [13]. It results in relaxation of these structures, lowers the muscle tone, and reduces blood stasis in the now relaxed suboccipital and perivertebral muscles [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cortisol, testosterone, and pain levels among patients undergoing McKenzie therapy and suboccipital relaxation

Miecznikowski

Kiczmer

Cygan³

et al. 2020

Medical Research Journal

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Sedentary lifestyle and the development of consumer electronics, often associated with a faulty posture, are widespread factors contributing to cervical spine dysfunction (CSD). The purpose of our study is to compare two methods of physical therapy of CSD: suboccipital relaxation and the McKenzie method. Their effect on perceived pain level and life quality was assessed using VAS and NDI scores. Serum levels of biochemical stress indicators like testosterone and cortisol were also evaluated. Eighty-six adult patients were divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Group A included 42 patients treated using the McKenzie method. Group B consisted of 44 patients who underwent suboccipital relaxation. The therapy in both groups included three treatment sessions over a six-week period. Testosterone and cortisol levels were assessed using the ELISA technique. Pain evaluation was performed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The disability level was evaluated with the Neck Disability Index (NDI). In both groups, a similar improvement in VAS and NDI scores was observed. A distinct cortisol level decrease in patients subjected to the suboccipital relaxation was noticed, while the McKenzie method did not affect cortisolaemia significantly. We did not notice any difference in testosterone levels between the two groups. Both treatment methods contributed towards clinical improvement in our patients, represented by the drop in VAS and NDI scores. We also observed a biochemical improvement: decreased cortisol level in the group treated with suboccipital relaxation. Due to the important role of testosterone and cortisol in the pathogenesis of chronic pain, our study should be the pilot experience on their use as markers in CSD.

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Craniosacral Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain

Cited by 51 publications

References 65 publications

Emotional release and physical symptom improvement: a qualitative analysis of self-reported outcomes and mechanisms in patients treated with neural therapy

Emotional release and physical symptom improvement: a qualitative analysis of self-reported outcomes and mechanisms in patients treated with neural therapy

CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation: A New Treatment Intervention for Concussion Recovery

Cortisol, testosterone, and pain levels among patients undergoing McKenzie therapy and suboccipital relaxation

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