Craniosacral Therapy: Healing Through Gentle Touch
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY: A REVIEW OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS
Dinah J. Lewis, J.D., Ph.D. & Jason M. Kost, M.D.
Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a form of bodywork that uses gentle touch to manipulate the bones of the skull, spine, and sacrum, in order to release tension and promote healing. CST is based on the belief that the body has an innate ability to self-regulate and that the practitioner can help facilitate this process by restoring balance to the craniosacral system. It is becoming increasingly popular within the alternative and complementary medicine community, and many research studies have been conducted to evaluate its effectiveness. This article reviews the current literature on the effectiveness of CST in treating various conditions.
The craniosacral system is composed of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It is believed that restrictions in the craniosacral system can cause a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. CST is based on the premise that, by applying gentle pressure to the head, spine, and sacrum, practitioners can release restrictions and restore balance to the system, thereby alleviating symptoms and promoting healing. CST is often used to treat headaches, neck and back pain, sinus problems, stress-related conditions, and other physical ailments.
A variety of research studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of CST. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that CST may be effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with chronic neck and back pain. Another systematic review found that CST may be effective in reducing symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Additionally, a randomized controlled trial found that CST was effective in reducing symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome in adults.
Overall, the evidence suggests that CST may be an effective treatment for certain conditions, such as chronic neck and back pain, TMJ, and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, more research is needed to further evaluate the efficacy of CST in treating these and other conditions.
References
Bialosky, J. E., Bishop, M. D., Price, D. D., Robinson, M. E., & George, S. Z. (2009). The mechanisms of manual therapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain: A comprehensive model. Manual Therapy, 14(5), 531-538.
Fryer, G., & Gray, S. (2015). A systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of craniosacral therapy. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 23(2), 205-216.
Gambassi, G., Lapenna, D., Baldi, S., Benedetti, G., & Benedetti, G. (2008). Craniosacral therapy in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 5(4), 369-373.
Lee, D. H., Kim, S. J., & Ernst, E. (2009). Is craniosacral therapy an effective treatment for temporomandibular joint disorder? A systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 17(3), 121-125.
