Cranial sacral therapy, also referred to as craniosacral therapy, is an alternative method used to treat a variety of physical and mental disorders. Generally speaking, the therapy is practiced by chiropractors, massage therapists or osteopathic doctors. Although there are no clinical studies supporting its benefits, cranial sacral therapy may help sleep apnea by detecting and adjusting imbalances in the craniosacral part of the autonomic nervous system.
About Cranial Sacral Therapy
Cranial sacral therapy was developed in the 1970s by osteopathic physician John Upledger. It involves treatment of the craniosacral division of the autonomic nervous system to promote the body's natural healing response. The craniosacral division, made up of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround the brain and spinal cord, has a direct effect on nervous system activities including respiration and heart rate. Craniosacral therapists believe that the craniosacral system has a rhythm, or pulse, that can be detected by lightly touching various parts of the body. Imbalances in this pulse are thought to result in stress, illness or other types of sensory, motor, mental or emotional dysfunction.
Benefits
Sleep apnea, a serious disorder that results in temporary breathing pauses during sleep, can be caused by a narrowing of the airways or a dysfunction in the respiratory signaling of the autonomic nervous system. According to cranial sacral therapist Brenda Barnetson, cranial sacral therapy can help sleep apnea by treating jaw dysfunction, helping to open up restricted airways and increasing the flow of oxygen throughout your body. Sleep apnea may also be caused or exacerbated by excessive levels of stress, according to sleep researchers Michael L. Perlis, Mark Aloia and Brett Kuhn in their book, "Behavioral Treatments for Sleep Disorders." Cranial sacral therapy may provide benefits by decreasing the effects of stress on your nervous system.
How it Works
During a craniosacral therapy session, you lie fully clothed on a massage table. The practitioner examines your skull, torso and feet using a light touch to detect restrictions or imbalances in your craniosacral system. The therapist can also check for changes in rhythmic flow of your cerebrospinal fluid. If an imbalance is found, the therapist uses gentle manipulation of the soft tissues to adjust your craniosacral system.
Considerations
Sleep apnea can have a profound impact on your ability to function and may increase your risk of heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and arrhythmias, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Do not use cranial sacral therapy as a replacement for conventional medical advice. As with any alternative treatment, you should consult your doctor before using cranial sacral therapy to treat sleep apnea.
References
- The Upledger Institute: Frequently Asked Questions -- CranioSacral Therapy
- CraniosacralHealth.com: BLOG #7 CranioSacral Therapy and the Limb of the Head; Improving Health by Opening Up the Airway
- Behavioral Treatments for Sleep Disorders; Michael L. Perlis, Mark Aloia and Brett Kuhn
- Joseph Lee, Craniosacral Therapist: Experiencing a Craniosacral Session
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What is Sleep Apnea?
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