Acute vascular and hemodynamic effects of cranio-sacral therapy in healthy subjects

Introduction: Craniosacral therapy (CST) has been shown to be effective in treating several neurological conditions affecting the central nervous system. There are no reports in the conventional medical literature the CST interventions on vascular response and hemodynamic parameters in humans. Material and Methods: We conducted an experimental study in 8 healthy subjects (4 men and 4 women; mean age, 22.5 ± 1.70 years) were enrolled. The intervention consisted of a single 50 min session of the 10 step protocol of CST intervention as previously described by Upledger. Were measured before and after in carotid artery (arterial compliance, systolic and diastolic arterial diameter, pressure-strain elasticity modulus, systolic/diastolic ratio, resistance index, and pulsatility index) by an ultrasound with an echo-tracking system and the hemodynamic parameters (blood pressure and heart rate). Results: After intervention with TCS, we found lower values of blood pressure (systolic and mean), P<0.01. Also found statistically significant changes in plethysmographic parameters: systolic diameter and pressure-strain elasticity modulus after intervention, P<0.01. No differences in flow velocity, systolic/diastolic ratio, arterial compliance, resistance index, pulsatility and vascular function. Conclusion: Applying of craniosacral therapy modifies the physiology of the vascular system and hemodynamic parameters in healthy subjects.