St Raphael Holistic Center

03/05/2026

Areas of the brain that get excessive inflammation and treated gently with Counterstrain

03/05/2026

A fun way to understand chronic pain and the mechanism that Counterstrain addresses to relieve pain and dysfunction.

02/09/2026

01/20/2026

Denmark is taking a decisive step to end the controversial “cry it out” method in maternity care. A nationwide study revealed that this approach, once widely recommended, can negatively impact brain development and attachment in infants.

Over seven hundred psychologists joined the call to stop the practice, highlighting the stress and potential long-term emotional consequences for babies. Prolonged crying without comfort raises cortisol levels and can affect the development of secure attachments, which are critical for emotional and cognitive growth.

Despite the evidence and international warnings, some parts of the U.S. continue to recommend the method, showing a gap between research and current parenting guidance. This underscores the need for updated education and awareness for caregivers.

Alternative approaches focus on responsive sleep methods that prioritize comfort, connection, and safety. Gentle interventions not only help infants sleep but also support healthy brain development and emotional regulation.

Denmark’s move emphasizes the importance of evidence-based parenting practices. Protecting emotional and neurological well-being during early development ensures stronger attachment, resilience, and long-term mental health for children, demonstrating that nurturing approaches can be both effective and safe.

01/20/2026

American team developed brain cooling helmets preventing stroke damage completely. Engineers at Stanford created rapid head cooling devices that lower brain temperature by 10°C within minutes of stroke onset, preventing neuron death and eliminating permanent disabilities. Patients treated within two hours of stroke make complete recovery with zero brain damage—a revolutionary advance over current treatments with limited effectiveness.

Ischemic strokes kill brain tissue by cutting off blood supply, causing irreversible neuron death within minutes from oxygen deprivation and overheating metabolic processes. Brain cooling reduces metabolic demands dramatically, allowing neurons to survive much longer without oxygen. The helmet uses advanced thermoelectric cooling combined with circulating chilled fluid to extract heat from the scalp and skull rapidly. Brain temperature drops from 37°C to 27°C within 15 minutes—cold enough to preserve neurons but not cause hypothermia complications.

Clinical trials showed stroke patients treated with cooling helmets within two hours achieved remarkable outcomes: 92% recovered with no permanent deficits compared to 30% with standard treatment. Paralysis reversed, speech returned completely, and cognitive function remained intact. The helmets are portable enough for ambulance use, allowing treatment to begin during transport rather than waiting for hospital arrival. Every minute saved prevents more brain damage. The treatment works alongside clot-busting drugs, actually improving their effectiveness by preserving tissue until blood flow restores.

The helmets cost $8,000 each but prevent lifetime disability costs averaging $500,000 per stroke survivor. Emergency medical services nationwide are equipping ambulances with the devices. Home versions are being developed for at-risk individuals to use at stroke onset before emergency services arrive.

Source: Stanford University Medical Center, Stroke 2025

01/16/2026

Finally, a scientific answer to the question: What is FCS, and how does it work?

Brian Tuckey’s new article in The International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine presents the development, scientific framework, and clinical applications of FCS, plus a compelling chronic pain case report!

Tap here to read the full article and share it with your community! 👉 https://bit.ly/ijom-fcs

01/04/2026

According to a recent study, forward head position and blood flow to the brain are clinically observable by taking the carotid pulses and can lead to debilitating symptoms within the brain.

The carotid pulses are weaker when the head is in a forward position; however, the carotid pulses are stronger when the head is over the spine.

When the head is forward over the spine, the brain may not receive sufficient blood flow and oxygen due to compression of the carotid arteries. If this compression is severe enough, it can result in cerebral ischemia (CNS dysfunction). Clinically, we see disturbed sleeping patterns, increased anxiety, and mental sluggishness.

The March 2000 Mayo Clinic reported that prolonged FHP also leads to myospasm, disc herniations, arthritis, and pinched nerves.

Dr. Alf Breig, a Swedish neurosurgeon and Nobel Prize recipient, describes how the loss of a normal cervical lordotic curve creates dysfunction and disease.

Through cadaver studies, Dr. Breig demonstrated that neck flexion could stretch the spinal cord 5-7 cm causing tensioning of the meninges (covering of the brain and spinal cord) and elicit measurable pressure on brainstem nuclei (nerve control centers) which control all basic life functions. (Breig, Alf. Adverse Mechanical Tension in the Central Nervous System: An Analysis of Cause and Effect. 1978. Almqvuist & Wiksell International, Stockholm, Sweden. Pg. 177.)

New studies show that correction of cervical lordosis may be associated with an immediate increase in cerebral blood flow.

Subscribe to Posturepro+ for links of studies 👆

11/20/2025

Counterstrain published and explained! Wohoo!

Finally, a scientific answer to the question: What is FCS, and how does it work?

Brian Tuckey’s new article in The International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine presents the development, scientific framework, and clinical applications of FCS, plus a compelling chronic pain case report!

Tap here to read the full article and share it with your community! 👉 https://bit.ly/ijom-fcs

11/13/2025

11/02/2025

Studies find consistently ignoring a crying baby can negatively impact their brain development, increase stress hormones like cortisol and can even affect their future emotional health.

Babies communicate their needs by crying, and ignoring these cries can lead to prolonged periods of stress, causing a rise in cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol levels can negatively impact brain development, brain structure and a baby’s ability to regulate stress even later in life.

Consistent responsiveness to a baby’s cries helps them develop a sense of security and trust in their caregivers. This can lead to a more secure attachment, which is crucial for emotional well-being, healthy social relationships and brain development.

Babies are not trying to manipulate their parents when they cry, they are communicating their needs and attempting to establish a connection. Responding to these cries is critical for building a strong bond and promoting healthy development.

NO PMID AVAILABLE YET. SOURCE: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/apr/21/leaving-baby-to-cry-brain-development-damage

10/16/2025

Something new!

👂 A new drug developed from stem cell research can help your body *regrow* the cells needed for hearing.

A novel approach developed by researchers at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute may hold the key to restoring hearing lost due to common causes like aging, noise exposure, or viral infections.

Instead of removing and manipulating stem cells outside the body, Dr. Jeff Karp and collaborators at MIT and Harvard designed a method to reawaken dormant inner ear progenitor cells using a one-time, localized dose of small molecules. These progenitors, marked by the LGR5 receptor, have the latent potential to regenerate hair cells—the critical sensory cells responsible for hearing—but typically remain inactive in adult humans.

By borrowing insights from intestinal stem cell biology, Karp's team identified molecules capable of stimulating these inner ear cells to divide and mature into functional hair cells.

The breakthrough has advanced into clinical trials through a company called Frequency Therapeutics, co-founded by Karp. Their lead drug, FX-322, combines two compounds that together unlock and activate gene expression in progenitor cells. In trials, some patients with noise-induced or sudden sensorineural hearing loss experienced marked improvements in speech perception, with effects seen within 90 days and lasting over two years in some cases.

Unlike gene editing, the therapy reactivates natural processes without altering DNA, offering a potentially lifelong benefit from a single treatment. With over 200 patients enrolled in studies so far, and more trials underway, this regenerative medicine strategy could represent a paradigm shift not just for hearing loss, but also for other conditions like multiple sclerosis and vision disorders.