Cranio-sacral Therapy for pain relief

Posted on April 2, 2025
Deborah Karlan
We are all aware of the rhythm of the breath and the rhythm of our heart.  There is also another important body rhythm, the Craniosacral Rhythm. . The normal rhythm of the Cranio-Sacral system is between 10- 12 cycles per minute. Trauma and health issues can cause deviation from the normal rhythm.  

Jamie came to me with complaints of headaches and low back pain.   About two years ago her pain began after a fall. She landed on her tail bone.  According to Jamie’s doctors report there was no structural problems to explain her pain. However, her fall could have caused a disruption of the Cranio-Sacral rhythm.  She responded well to a combination of therapy which included Craniosacral Therapy (CST), a light-touch approach that gently works with the skull and its cranial sutures, the diaphragms, and the bodies’ fascia and muscles to balance the Cranio-Sacral rhythm.  

Craniosacral therapy releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. In this way, the restrictions of nerve passages are eased, the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord is optimized, and harmony is restored to the body.    Because Cranio-Sacral therapy is so gentle, it can be effective for all ages, from newborns to elders. The conditions that I have most helped with Craniosacral therapy are migraines, tensions headaches, and chronic neck pain, back pain, stress, tension related disorders, learning disabilities, dyslexia, fibromyalgia, and TMJ syndrome. Our Craniosacral rhythm is important to our health, our structure, and our immune system. 

A Massage Therapist’s Hands, Tools and Tape  

Posted on April 2, 2025
Deborah Karlan
My hands are great tools for facilitating changes in the body’s soft tissue by stroking, kneading, and stretching the skin and muscles.  My hands and fingers use both my body and leverage to increase the power of my strokes.  Many techniques, like myofascial release, skin rolling, and lymph drainage, require that you do not add lotion or oil to the skin. To release the fascia and lymph start out on dry skin for the best results. After releasing the fascia and channeling the lymph, I apply therapeutic oil, lotion, or analgesic liniment to work more deeply into the muscles.  However, when I find areas of pain and spasm, I sometimes use tools to increase blood flow or change the electron charge in the cell to increase tissue activity to promote healing.  

Electric E-stim pens are good at making changes to sore muscles and tissue. They can be used to deactivate trigger points: changing the tissue charge, increasing the fluid flow in the tissue and relaxing both muscles and nerves. Hot packs also increase blood flow, while cold packs quiet nerves. In addition, I also use the TRX Cold Laser from Jaken Medical.  Cold laser therapy uses a low-intensity laser light to stimulate healing and to reduce inflammation and swelling and pain. The last step is to use a therapy tape like KT or Rock tape to stabilize an area of pain or swelling. All tools and modalities are included in the hourly fee. Together this approach to healing through massage therapy is successful for restoring balance and healing body pain, swelling. and inflammation. Be safe and pain free.  

Lymphatic Drainage Speeds Recovery and Reduces Pain

Posted on July 21, 2021
Our lymphatic system works to keep us healthy. Without our lymphatic system working, we would swell up like a balloon and stagnant fluid would swamp our cells. When our lymphatic system is sluggish, we can suffer from aches, pains, and low energy. Lymph Drainage Massage can stimulate the opening of the lymphatic one-way valves and increase the volume of lymph flow by as much as 20%.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage can be used both preoperative to prepare the tissue and post-operative to relieve discomfort, swelling, and remove cellular debris caused by the trauma of surgery. Knee, hip, back, and neck surgery recovery can be aided by lymphatic massage therapy. Liposuction and plastic surgery can traumatize tissues, lymph vessels, and the interrupted lymph flow can cause reduced healing, fibrosis scar tissue, dimpling, and uneven skin. Poor lymph flow after surgery can cause the development of fluid pockets.

I also used KT tape to relieve pain and swelling between treatments. Manual Lymphatic Drainage and massage can speed recovery and improve the results.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Deborah Karlan, L.M.T., has been a massage therapist for over 35 years. Her Wellness From Within office is at 2158 Drew Street in Clearwater. Her information website is www.dkarlan.com. For questions and appointments, and to find harmony and balance with massage, please call 727-641-8979. FL License MA4487, Est. MM27138.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged best Lymphatic massage Clearwater Fl, Lymphatic Drainage therapy Clearwater Fl, Lymphatic Drainage therapy Pinellas County Fl, Lymphatic massage for fibromyalgia Clearwater Fl | Leave a reply

Restorative Massage for Pain Relief

Posted on July 20, 2021
Restorative massage therapy creates harmony and balance in our muscular structure by reducing the stress hormones and detoxifying the body. The Touch Research Institute at the University of South Florida has conducted over 100 studies on the positive effects of massage therapy on many functions and medical conditions. They have studied the effects of massage therapy at all stages of life, from newborns to senior citizens.

The Touch Research Institute article was published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology. The massage therapy subjects reported that their pain was diminished, and they had less stiffness, less fatigue, and improved sleep. Tests showed lower stress hormones, which translated to lower stress, anxiety, and depression. Many muscle pain problems respond positively to restorative massage, including post-surgery knee and hip replacements, trigger points, shoulder referral pain, and neck and back pain and spasms. Patients with hypersensitive responses do well to the lighter touch therapy of Craniosacral Therapy and Manual Lymph Drainage. Although fibromyalgia is a neurologic body inflammation problem that generally affects the entire body. Trigger points can refer to pain in a pattern some distance from the real problem.

restorative massage therapy

Neuromuscular therapy is very effective in treating TP’S. The illustration shows a typical headache trigger point that responds to treatment. I find techniques that work vary with each patient, some respond with very light manual lymph drainage while others get significant relief from deeper neuromuscular therapy. As we age, it is important to take care of ourselves so that we can stay active and feel good.

Posted in PAIN RELIEF, Wellness | Tagged Craniosacral Therapy Clearwater Fl, Lymphatic Drainage therapy Clearwater Fl, Restorative massage therapy Clearwater Fl | Leave a reply

Lymphatic Drainage Speeds Recovery and Reduces Pain by Deborah Karlan, L.M.T.

Posted on July 19, 2021
Our lymphatic system works to keep us healthy. Without our lymphatic system working, we would swell up like a balloon and stagnant fluid would swamp our cells. When our lymphatic system was sluggish, we can suffer from aches, pains, and low energy. Lymph Drainage Massage can stimulate the opening of the Lymphatic one-way valves and increase the volume of lymph flow.

Joint replacement, cosmetic surgery, and acute injury can traumatize tissues, causing swelling and damage to lymph vessels. Lisa had the right hip replaced in June. She developed pain and swelling in the right knee months after the hip surgery. I found pain and spasms in the right lumbar, sacral area, the hip scar area, and the leg muscles. I used a combination of light neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, and lymphatic drainage to relieve the spasm and swelling. I then stabilized the knee and back with the application of KT tape. Lisa will follow up with three weekly treatments.

After Ashley had 360 Liposuction and a Brazilian Butt Lift, she had swelling, bruising, and pain. The lymphatic massage eases pain, channels lymph fluid to the nodes, and smooths tissue that can become lumpy. I am seeing Ashley two times a week, and she has greatly improved. We will continue treating her for the next few weeks as she heals, improving the results.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage can be used both before an operation to prepare the tissue and post-operative to relieve pain, swelling, and cellular debris caused by the trauma of surgery or injury.

Posted in PAIN RELIEF, Wellness | Tagged best Lymphatic massage Clearwater Fl, Lymphatic Drainage therapy Clearwater Fl, Lymphatic Drainage therapy Pinellas County Fl, Lymphatic massage for fibromyalgia Clearwater Fl | Leave a reply

Cranio-Sacral Therapy for Pain Relief

Posted on July 16, 2021
We are all aware of the rhythm of the breath and the rhythm of our heart. There is also another important body rhythm, the Craniosacral Rhythm. The normal rhythm of the Cranio-Sacral system is between 10-12 cycles per minute. Trauma and health issues can cause deviation from the normal rhythm.

Jamie came to me with complaints of headaches and low back pain. About two years ago, her pain began after a fall. She landed on her tailbone. According to Jamie’s doctor’s report, there were no structural problems to explain her pain. However, her fall could have caused a disruption of the Cranio-Sacral rhythm. She responded well to a combination of therapy that included Craniosacral Therapy (CST), a light-touch approach that gently works with the skull and its cranial sutures, the diaphragms, and the body’s fascia and muscles to balance the Cranio-Sacral rhythm.

Craniosacral therapy releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. In this way, the restrictions of nerve passages are eased, the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord is optimized, and harmony is restored to the body. Because Cranio-Sacral therapy is so gentle, it can be effective for all ages, from newborns to elders. The conditions that I have most helped with Craniosacral therapy are migraines, tension headaches, and chronic neck pain, back pain, stress, tension-related disorders, learning disabilities, dyslexia, fibromyalgia, and TMJ syndrome.

Masks are worn in the clinic and during therapy treatments. We sanitize between treatments, and we have VU filters in the lobby and my treatment room. Be safe and well.

Posted in PAIN RELIEF, Wellness | Tagged Best Craniosacral massage Pinellas County, Craniosacral therapy, Craniosacral Therapy Clearwater Fl | Leave a reply

A Massage Therapist’s Hands, Tools, and Tape

Posted on July 15, 2021
My hands are great tools for facilitating changes in the body’s soft tissue by stroking, kneading, and stretching the skin and muscles. My hands and fingers use both my body and leverage to increase the power of my strokes.

Many techniques, like myofascial release, skin rolling, and lymph drainage, require that you do not add lotion or oil to the skin. To release the fascia and lymph, start out on dry skin for the best results. After releasing the fascia and channeling the lymph, I apply therapeutic oil, lotion, or analgesic liniment to work more deeply into the muscles. However, when I find areas of pain and spasm, I sometimes use tools to increase blood flow or change the electron charge in the cell to increase tissue activity to promote healing.

Electric E-stim pens are good at making changes to sore muscles and tissue. They can be used to deactivate trigger points: changing the tissue charge, increasing the fluid flow in the tissue, and relaxing both muscles and nerves. Hot packs also increase blood flow, while cold packs quiet nerves. In addition, I also use the TRX Cold Laser from Jaken Medical. Cold laser therapy uses a low-intensity light to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. The last step is to use a therapy tape like KT or Rock tape to stabilize an area that had acute pain or swelling. All tools and modalities are included in the hourly fee. Together this approach to healing through massage therapy is successful for restoring balance and healing body pain, swelling, and inflammation.

I have been vaccinated but am still applying COVID protocols. I still request masking in clinic common areas and if you have not been vaccinated. Be safe and pain-free.

Posted in PAIN RELIEF, Wellness | Tagged massage therapy | Leave a reply

When Headaches Are Really in Your Face and Cranium!

Posted on June 29, 2020
Published in May Issue of Tampa Bay Magazine

Many patients arrive with mystery headaches. They have been to many doctors, and they have had MRI’s of the neck and head, which found no tumors nor cancers and no reason for the pressure, tightness, and pain in the head.

When I touch the muscles at the side of the neck, I often find pain and tightness in the head. In addition, tight neck muscles with a forward head posture often indicate an irregular opening and closing of the jaw. Sometimes the eyes and ears are not quite symmetrical or level, and the scalp is often very tight and painful.

Recently I had an interesting case with all of these symptoms. Jane’s story was this: 25 years ago, she was in a severe auto accident during which she hit the windshield. She was treated over the years with chiropractic care as well as by other doctors. She related that she had head pain and tightness in her low back. Jane was given a dental splint for her jaw pain (TMJ), which she said did not help. Nothing seemed to help, and over the years, her head got tighter and tighter with pain and pressure. She had tests and MRI’s, but nothing much was discovered.

Posted in PAIN RELIEF, Wellness | Tagged Cranial therapy, headache relief, Pain relief, TMJ pain | Leave a reply

Why Massage Is the Perfect Gift to Say “I Love You”

Posted on June 29, 2020

What says “I love you” better than the gift of touch? Our mothers, fathers, grandparents, spouses, and friends all would benefit from massage. In fact, touch deprivation is a major cause of depression in our society.

So what does massage do to our body chemistry?

Massage can feel good, but did you know that it has been scientifically shown to affect your body chemistry? According to research done at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and the Touch Research Institute in Miami, it was found that a single session of massage caused biological changes. Volunteers who received massage experienced significant decreases in the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the blood and saliva. The cortisol hormone controls the body’s fight and flight mechanism.

In addition, massage increases lymphocytes, the white blood cells that help your immune system. Both deep massage and light touch massage affected body chemistry. However, the lighter touch therapy produced greater increases in the hormone Oxytocin, which is associated with feelings of contentment. In addition, massage can eliminate muscle pain, flush toxins from your lymphatics, and soothe your whole system.

When was the last time your loved ones received a gift to reduce stress that also felt so good? My certificates are beautiful. See a sample on my website at dkarlan.com. I can customize certificates for any number of sessions and personalize them for you.

Call or text me for an appointment at 072 764 18979 or email me at wellness2158@gmail.com.

Posted in Wellness | Tagged body tune-up, Health, reduce stress | Leave a reply

So Do You Have a Maintenance Manual for Your Body?

Posted on June 29, 2020

We did not come with a maintenance manual. But you must admit that it would be handy. As we age, we lose flexibility, stamina, and the resiliency of our youth. Responsibilities for our families, our jobs, or businesses greatly increase our stress. It becomes more difficult to balance work, exercise, family, and time for ourselves. It is easy to find ourselves lost in our daily tasks of survival without a plan. A body maintenance program is important if we want to age gracefully and maintain our sanity and vitality.

To really work, your maintenance manual must be designed by you. You know if you are overeating, under-exercising, stressed out, and out of balance. So start with sensible changes. Write down how you are feeling, what you want to change, and your reasons to change. That is how you begin your manual. Then note what works and what does not work.

According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have found massage helpful for stress relief, managing anxiety and depression, pain, stiffness, blood pressure control, soft tissue injuries, and boosting immunity. Beyond these benefits, massage can provide comfort and a sense of empowerment. I hope you will consider adding massage to your maintenance manual.

Posted in Uncategorized, Wellness | Tagged Health, stress relief, wellness | Leave a reply

The Problems of a “Finger Athlete”

Posted on June 29, 2020

Last week Mary came to me with severe pain in her hands, wrists, and arms. She had been working overtime and spending long hours typing to complete an assignment. Her doctor said that she should rest, wear a wrist and hand brace, and it should improve in time. She was afraid she could not finish her work due to the pain.

Understanding why and how finger, hand, and arm activity develops and progresses into painful problems can be the key to preventing and resolving them. Finger, hand, and arm pain can be a debilitating problem. Many working people are plagued with carpal tunnel, hand, and wrist pain. Court recorders, secretaries, programmers, massage therapists, chiropractors, and many others suffer from this common problem.

So why does this happen? Are we acting like finger athletes? Are we giving the preventative care that it requires? When we use a body part with a high level of activity, it requires help to keep it pain-free. As we use our fingers, hands, and arms, our muscles tighten and contract. Over time, activities can cause shortening of the muscles and tendon fibers. When the muscle fibers shorten and we continue to demand the same level of activity from our muscles, what happens? We get micro tissue tears and start to form scar tissue, which binds and becomes inflamed. This often leads to tendinitis, muscle strains, and in the wrist, carpal tunnel.

Simple stretching exercises, soaking in a hot tub, and therapeutic massage can prevent and treat these problems. With some therapeutic massage and isolated active stretching, Mary was able to complete her work.

If you are a “Finger Athlete,” come in and learn how to treat and prevent problems.

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