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Craniosacral therapy has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and in mitigating cardiac issues. To better understand how it helps, it is useful to know how heart function is regulated within the human body.
Craniosacral therapy works to regulate the Central Nervous System (CNS), the command centre of the human body.
The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is a component of our CNS. The ANS works autonomously – without our conscious effort – to regulate the involuntary and automatic processes within our bodies, such as digestion, respiration (breathing), excretion, blood circulation, blood pressure and the beating of the heart. The number of heartbeats per unit of time is known as the heart rate. The ANS works constantly to regulate these vital bodily functions, including the heart rate. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is the fluctuation in the length of time between heartbeats – HRV is established as an important measure of cardiac health.
The ANS has two sub-components – the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). The SNS is a quick response system that activates when the body needs to prepare for increased physical activity or to act in the face of danger or stressful states. When the SNS is stimulated, the heart starts to beat faster and the heart rate increases.
The PNS is a system that facilitates digestion and states of rest and relaxation. It acts to slow down the heart rate. In a healthy individual, both the SNS and PNS alternate between each other to maintain the regulatory balance of cardiac function.
HRV is a function of the interplay between the SNS and the PNS and is a key indicator of how the nervous system is functioning. Increased HRV is influenced by the rate of breathing, which indicates that the PNS is regulating the HRV well – this is an indicator of good cardiac health. Low HRV is considered a sign of cardiovascular dysfunction - it indicates that the body is less resilient and slower to adapt to changing situations.
Craniosacral therapy has a beneficial effect upon the entire nervous system. It supports homeostasis – the balanced functioning of the entire body. It brings the SNS and PNS into balance and has a beneficial effect on the HRV, and as a result, improves cardiac function. It helps people who suffer from arrythmia, brachycardia, tachycardia, atrial or ventricular fibrillation and angina.
It has a calming effect and reduces anxiety and states of stress and the resulting heart palpitations. It is established that stress has an adverse effect on cardiac function.
Craniosacral therapy supports good blood circulation and therefore benefits people who suffer from hypertension and cholesterol issues.
It reduces inflammation levels and helps to alleviate inflammatory heart conditions like myocarditis, pericarditis and endocarditis. It brings better functionality in the case of structural issues of the heart like heart valve disease, heart murmur and congestive heart failure.
Craniosacral therapy can even benefit those with congenital heart defects like a hole in the heart, as it harnesses the forces of embryogenesis within the human body to bring better function. It supports and hastens recovery from heart surgery and surgery to implant a stent.
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, safe and enjoyable therapy that has demonstrated results when working with heart conditions. The following are the results of a scientific study on how craniosacral therapy improves HRV.
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