Parents of children with ADHD often seek out a variety of treatment options to help their children manage this condition. While several drugs are available for the treatment of ADHD, some parents may be reluctant to medicate their children at an early age. For these parents, alternative therapies may be the answer. Craniosacral therapy is a treatment for ADHD and other health conditions that uses gentle massage to treat a variety of health problems related to brain functions.
What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral therapy is based on the idea that the craniosacral system in the body can sometimes get off balance, causing problems related to brain functioning. According to craniosacral therapy's founder, Dr. John Upledger, the craniosacral system "consists of the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord" (massagetoday.com). Craniosacral therapy seeks to restore balance to this system in order to improve fluid flow around the brain.
How it Works
According to Upledger, an imbalance in the craniosacral system can cause pressure on the skull and spine, which leads to myriad health problems including "cell congestion, intracranial toxicity, abnormal pressure on cells and diminished blood flow to the brain" (massagetoday.com). This can lead the cells to become hyperactive, causing ADHD symptoms. By relieving this pressure through a series of gentle touch massage techniques, craniosacral therapy claims to cure ADHD in patients whose condition is caused by an imbalance in the craniosacral system.
Praise and Criticism
Upledger has trained more than 50,000 therapists from around the world in the 24 years since he first opened his institute (washingtonpost.com). Very little scientific research exists to prove his theories, but Upledger relies instead on the positive reactions of his patients. Certainly many patients and therapists have reported successful results using this treatment, but it does have its detractors.
A 1999 study by the British Columbia Office of Health Technology Assessment found "insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of craniosacral therapy," and the retired psychologist who runs the QuackWatch web site says that the beliefs of Upledger and his followers are "strange" and "fanciful" (washingtonpost.com).
Craniosacral therapy has devout followers who claim to have experienced its healing benefits for themselves. The light touch massage techniques employed by these practitioners can hardly be deemed dangerous, so anyone interested in craniosacral therapy could try it without fear.
Tags: craniosacral system, Craniosacral therapy, health problems, imbalance craniosacral, imbalance craniosacral system, massage techniques