Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy for Headaches

Welcome to my May 2024 Newsletter!

It’s full-on Spring here in the Northeast, where the grasses are greening, the flowers are blooming, and the trees’ blossoms delight!

In the spirit of all this abundance, the most common complaint I hear is Headache, so this issue is devoted to headaches and how to manage them with Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy.

According to the International Headache Society, the most common type of headache is a Tension headache involving the neck and occipital muscles and often in conjunction with TMJ, eyestrain, injury and stress (IHS Classification of Headaches).

Migraines (most common in women) and Cluster headaches (most common in men) are extremely debilitating but can be helped with Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy’s gentle touch.

When the Trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V) is involved, you may feel pain around your eyes and in both the upper and lower jaw. As in the illustration below, the root of the Trigeminal nerve is directly under the small depression in the Temporal bone above the mandible.

Most headaches respond well to Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy, with numerous studies finding a reduction in both frequency and severity of headache pain as well as increased sensations of well-being.

TMJ can also be resolved using Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy. A 2011 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that 74% of patients receiving Craniosacral therapy reported significant improvement in their TMJ symptoms.

Craniosacral therapy also reduces the secondary causes of headache, including stress, anxiety, and pain, and can help manage the pressure-pain threshold for people with chronic headaches.

Spring is the perfect time for a tune-up to ensure that all your systems are functioning optimally.

Namaste,
Dr. Ellyce DiPaola