Cranial Sacral Therapy for DS?

[violettesmom]

www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVAugSep01p82.html

I only know about it in terms of helping with breastfeeding, and here is an article I recently read about it.

[Chris too]

Here's a site that evaluates the studies done on this therapy:
faculty.une.edu/com/shartman/sram.pdf

It's pretty long, so if you want to cut to the chase (the conclusion), it's on page 10 in the left column. And just above the conclusion is this remarkable statement:

Without careful scientific controls, weaknesses of perception and interpretation can fool both practitioners and patients into believing that a treatment is effect when it is not. We believe that these and other natural, human, psychosocial influences help to explain how cranial osteopathy has achieved the 21st century without scientific support of any kind.

You have to be careful about non-tested treatments - any valid studies will have a significant sampling and be controlled and double-blinded so as not to influence the outcomes of the test. This treatment has not had adequate testing, and there have been no valid studies that give even hope of providing any benefit at all. Although there are no reported harms either - that I know of.

My best advise for you is to talk to your Ds or genetics specialist - they are up on all the therapies and treatments, are aware of any case studies going on, and know what things show promise and which will just bilk you.

I am glad to know that Winter is getting early intervention therapies since they are proven to be effective by studies of significant numbers, with controls and double-blinds. You can see some of the results of one of these studies in a book called "Babies with Down Syndrome - A New Parents' Guide" edited by Karen Stray-Gundersen. Chapter 6 is about your baby's development & covers a study done by the Univ. of Oregon which shows the dramatic difference in children who have early intervention services and those who don't.

If you don't have a copy of this great book, get one. It is full of hope and help.

Chris, too

[wrblack]

Dr. Leshin, in his FAQ section
www.ds-health.com/faq.htm
gives the same link that Chris too just gave you.

Q: Is craniosacral therapy (cranial therapy) useful for children with Down syndrome?
A: Proponents of cranial therapy claim that skull bones can be manipulated to relieve many disorders. To quote the website of the Craniosacral Therapy Assoc. of the UK: "Dr William Sutherland, an American osteopath, discovered intrinsic movements of the bones of the skull around the turn of the century. His further research revealed different rhythmic tidal motions in the body. These movements, which can be measured with delicate scientific instruments, are a direct expression of the health of the system. As research continued it became apparent that these movements are inextricably linked with not only physical health but also mental and emotional health. Palpation of these tide-like motions allows Craniosacral therapists to facilitate change in areas of restriction. This restriction of movement corresponds to a lack of the capacity of the life force to express its self-healing." In reality, the bones of the skull start fusing in infancy and are completely solid by the teen years. More importantly, the cerebrospinal fluid has been shown not to have any measurable pulsation. With that in mind, I conclude that cranial manipulation would not be any more useful than a good massage. For more details, see this review article on craniosacral therapy.

But holding hands and singing while doing this might do somebody some good. -- Bob