A Proposal for the Use of Craniosacral Therapy in Firefighter Cadets to Decrease Cortisol Levels and Improve Postural Stability—A Randomized Trial

Abstract

Background: Stress is a physiological response to the mental, emotional, or physical challenges that people encounter. Reactions to stress are also associated with increased secretion of numerous hormones including; glucocorticoids, e.g., cortisol, catecholamines. Methods: The research aimed to check whether craniosacral osteopathic therapy performed over a period of five weeks would affect the values of cortisol level and postural stability amongst sixty firefighter cadets (aged 18-24; 21.63 ± 1.41), involved in rescue operations at traffic accidents (the firefighter cadets underwent qualified paramedic training). The participants were divided into two groups: craniosacral therapy experimental group (30 people) and a control group (27 people). Results: The obtained results show that craniosacral therapy can lead to lower levels of cortisol p < 0.001. It is difficult to state unequivocally that craniosacral osteopathic therapy influenced the values of postural stability; it was noted for the ellipse area in the group subjected to craniosacral therapy for the lower limbs with eyes open p-value = 0.0002. Conclusions: Craniosacral therapy may have a beneficial effect in reducing high cortisol levels.

The effect of cranial techniques on the heart rate variability response to psychological stress test in firefighter cadets

“…Henley et al who used muscle-fascia osteopathic techniques in the cervical spine in their study, obtained a reduction in autonomic system tension and thus a reduction in heart rate variability, explaining the result by modulation of the vagus nerve 70 . Cranial techniques have the effect of reducing heart rate reactivity and skin conductance reactivity and thus lowering stress levels 71 , 72 . An imbalance of the autonomic system, especially a decrease in the activity of part of the parasympathetic system is related to the occurrence of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and schizophrenia 73 , 74 .…”