Discs:
The COX protocol for the non-surgical care of herniated discs.
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Gentle Care:
Dr. Strasser emphasizes non-force and low impact chiropractic techniques as well as traditional chiropractic adjusting depending on your needs.
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Headaches & Migraine:
An Effective Natural, Drugless Program of Care.
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Cranial Therapy:
Combining Gentle Cranio-Sacral, Craniopathy and European Cranial techniques, Dr. Strasser provides a unique approach.
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Children's Care:
For over 20 years, Dr. Strasser has specialized in treating Children and Adolescents. Dr, Strasser discusses his gentle approach to care.
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"I've never seen a doctor show so much concern, nor go so far out of his way to care for a patient...I think your method of adjustment is much easier for kids to handle than the more traditional ways..."
Judy K.
Portland, Oregon
Portland Oregon Chiropractor
Cranial Therapy: A Gentle, Integrated Approach for Adults, Children and Adolescents
Arn Strasser DC
For over twenty years, I have incorporated Cranial Therapy into the techniques I use in treating both adults and children.
The cranial region is vital and dynamic comprising muscles, ligaments, joints, blood vessels and nerves. It is directly related to how we breathe, see, hear, chew, swallow--and how we think!
Over the years, I have drawn on a mixture of cranial therapies, including chiropractic cranial work, osteopathic craniopathy, applied kinesiology, acupressure, craniosacral therapy and techniques of my own that I have found effective.
Cranial Therapy influences the nervous system, especially the central nervous system (CNS); it treats the muscles and soft tissues of the cranium; it reduces stress and promotes emotional release.
Cranial Therapy has specfic applications in migraine and headaches, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, chronic pain, mood and emotional disorders, TMJ pain, ADD/ADHD, seizures and autism. By releasing stress and promoting relaxation, cranial therapy can be helpful for a wide range of body imbalances.
Cranial Therapy and the Central Nervous System
The central nervous system (CNS) is our functional core: all actions, and reactions, whether mechanical, nutritional or emotional are expressed (or negotiated) through the central nervous system.
Chiropractic has traditionally focused on the spine as a bridge between the CNS and the rest of the body. The cranium is another such bridge.
When the body is under stress, the fight or flight mechanism of the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated. Chronic stress can create patterns of sympathetic overload contributing to a number of disorders. Balancing the autonomic system is a vital contribution of cranial therapy.
Cranial therapy may have a role in the body's regulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds and provides nutrition for the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear fluid filtered from the blood at the blood/brain barrier. Functional disturbances in CSF may affect the nervous system and our health. Cranial therapy may help to stimulate and regulate CSF.
Structural Dynamics and Cranial Therapy
Working with the sutures of the cranium and gently using the bones to stretch cranial muscles is a gentle, specialized work that I learned from teachers who had worked with the originators of chiropractic and osteopathic cranial work.
Cranial physicians, both chiropractic and osteopathic, characterize cranial manipulation as causing slight movements of the cranial bones. I don't agree and I have argued with many colleagues that they are treating soft tissues and stimulating the nervous system with cranial manipulation, but not moving bones.
Science may one day support the fact that cranial bones move in the adult to some infintesimal degree, but I don't feel such movement is relevant to cranial therapy.
Working with the cranium allows access to neurological signal areas and muscle trigger points. I use gentle pressure to clear these areas of blocked neurological energy and muscular fixations.
Using the hands instead of needles on these points summons the practitioners own nervous system to aid in the treatment.
Cranial therapy is a gentle, effective therapeutic approach that complements other Chiropractic treatments. The body in its wisdom provides us with the means to heal by working directly with the neurological core through spinal, cranial and reflex therapies.