Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy in Addiction Recovery

Getting sober while battling addiction can require several different types of therapy. What works for one person may not work for another. That’s why treatment centers offer many therapy options, including ones that utilize alternative medicine, such as holistic approaches like craniosacral therapy.

When you’re looking for an addiction recovery program, you want to find one that offers different therapy options for you to explore. Craniosacral therapy (CST), or cranial osteopathy, is one of those options.

In this blog, we’ll look at the following questions:

• What is craniosacral therapy?
• What conditions does craniosacral therapy treat?
• What happens after craniosacral therapy?
• What are the benefits of craniosacral therapy?

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Osteopathic physician John Upledger created craniosacral therapy. It’s a type of massage therapy that uses gentle pressure to help relieve compression and stress in the neck, back, and head. The central function of craniosacral therapy is to feel the body move in sync with the craniosacral rhythm.

It’s thought that by relieving tension in these areas, craniosacral therapy works to normalize the cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system, primarily the brain and spinal cord. When this happens, it enhances the body’s healing process.

What Conditions Does Craniosacral Therapy Treat?

The craniosacral system maintains the environment of the central nervous system. Because of this, people of all ages can benefit from craniosacral therapy as part of treatment for a variety of conditions, including the following:

• migraines and headaches
• constipation
• disturbed sleep cycles and insomnia
• sinus infections
• neck pain
• trauma recovery
• mood disorders like anxiety or depression

Many people can feel the benefits of working with a craniosacral therapist after three and ten sessions. When craniosacral therapy is part of an addiction treatment program, it can be used in conjunction with other types of therapy, so the number of sessions may vary.

What Happens After Craniosacral Therapy?

The immediate effects following a craniosacral therapy session vary from person to person. You may leave the massage table ready to go home and take a relaxing and long nap. On the contrary, you may have high energy. Pain relief can be immediate or gradual over the following days.

What are the Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy?

When craniosacral therapy is used as part of therapy for addiction, it can help soothe physical pain in the cranial bones of the skull and release emotional and physical stress. As studies on the effects of craniosacral therapy for addiction are still being conducted, there are some benefits to consider.

Studies have shown evidence that CST works. Researchers have found that adding massage therapy to an addiction treatment program can reduce anxiety and promote changes in behavior. Massages trigger deep relaxation in the body, so the anxiety and stress that may have led to a person’s addiction are being treated. This can help to promote changes in their behavior, such as not depending on the substance that led to their addiction.

Another factor to be considered is the impact that depression can have on substance abuse. Statistics show nearly 1/3 of adults who have a substance abuse disorder also suffer from depression. Since craniosacral therapy can treat depression, it can help those suffering from a dual diagnosis of addiction and depression. 

According to researchers, massage therapies help to stimulate a cranial nerve which helps to reduce cortisol and other neurotransmitters. Depressed people are known to have little activity in this nerve.

Researchers also believe that those who struggle with addiction are sensitive and may find it challenging to deal with their emotions. Therefore, they can benefit from working with massage therapists to help them deal with their emotions. Some believe the effects of massage therapy can give people the power they need to change their destructive behaviors.

Before adding craniosacral therapy or any other type of massage therapy to your treatment program, it’s essential to ask about the side effects and inform your therapist about any other medical problems you may have.

Craniosacral Therapy in Scottsdale

If you’re looking to battle your addiction, Soul Surgery Rehabilitation in Scottsdale, AZ, can help. Soul Surgery offers Craniosacral Therapy as one of its many therapy options. As you learn how to live a sober life, let our practitioners help relieve your chronic pain and improve your entire body’s functions.

At Soul Surgery, we treat the mind, body, and spirit as part of the addiction recovery process. We always have someone available to answer your call and help you start on your path to recovery. You can also contact us online. Let our team show you how to live a life free of addiction.