Craniosacral Therapy

Other common name(s): cranial balancing, cranial osteopathy, cranial sacral manipulation, craniopathy

Scientific/medical name(s): none

Description

Craniosacral therapy involves the gentle massage of bones in the skull (including the face and mouth), spine, and pelvis to ease stress in the body and improve body movement.

Overview

Available scientific evidence does not support claims that craniosacral therapy helps in treating cancer or any other disease. But it may help some people with cancer feel more relaxed. The gentle, hands-on method may offer some relief for symptoms of stress and tension.

How is it promoted for use?

Craniosacral therapy is a variation of chiropractic and osteopathic medicine (see our documents, Chiropractic and Osteopathic Medicine). Supporters claim that gentle massage of the bones of the head, spine, and pelvis increases the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and can cure any number of ailments.

Craniosacral therapists say that there is a link between the fluid in the head and the sacrum (the base of the lower back) and that the rhythm of the fluid that flows between these areas can be detected like a pulse. They claim that their treatment normalizes, balances, and gets rid of blockages (obstructions) in various systems throughout the body. They say that with blockages removed, the body can function in a healthy manner.

Promoters claim this therapy can be used to help relieve headaches; neck and back pain; problems with the temporomandibular joint (the hinge of the jaw, often called the TMJ); chronic fatigue; poor coordination; eye problems; depression; hyperactivity; attention deficit disorder; problems with the central nervous system, the immune system, and the endocrine system; and many other conditions.

Practitioners also claim that the birth process can cause problems with growth of the cartilage and membranes surrounding an infant's skull. They offer craniosacral therapy to fix this problem.

What does it involve?

Craniosacral therapy is usually performed by osteopaths, chiropractors, and massage therapists. The treatment involves either gentle massage or manipulation to the bones of the skull. Sessions last from 30 minutes to an hour.

What is the history behind it?

Dr. William G. Sutherland developed cranial osteopathy in the early 1930s. John E. Upledger, DO, derived craniosacral therapy from Sutherland's work and developed it in the 1970s. Upledger opened the Upledger Institute of Florida in the 1980s, where thousands of health care professionals attend his program every year to learn about releasing stresses in the skull and the membranes around the brain.

What is the evidence?

The theory on which craniosacral therapy is based is not consistent with the scientific understanding of anatomy and physiology of the skull, brain, and spinal fluid circulation. Animal studies have demonstrated lack of movement of cranial bones in adults.

There are mostly individual (anecdotal) reports of treatment success with craniosacral therapy. Some patients report that it helps to reduce stress, tension, and headaches. But there have been very few well-controlled clinical studies of this method.

Researchers have since tested the ability of craniosacral therapists to detect and count the rhythmic cranial impulse, an important part of the therapy. A number of therapists looked at the same patients at the same time, without comparing notes. The therapists' counts did not match, which suggests that these counts were not reliable. And, the British Columbia Office of Health Technology Assessment conducted a wide-ranging search for solid information on craniosacral therapy and found no evidence to support the claims made about it.

More recent studies that have been designed to look at craniosacral therapy still have problems with control groups and other aspects of the studies.

Are there any possible problems or complications?

Craniosacral therapy should not be used in children under age two because the bones of the skull are not fully developed. In one very small study, several adults with head injuries had worse symptoms after starting craniosacral therapy. People who have cancer and chronic conditions such as arthritis and heart disease should talk to their doctor before starting any type of therapy that involves moving joints and muscles.

Relying on this treatment alone and delaying or avoiding conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.

Additional resources

More information from your American Cancer Society

The following information on complementary and alternative therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on our Web site (www.cancer.org) or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-227-2345).

Guidelines for Using Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Dietary Supplements: How to Know What Is Safe

The ACS Operational Statement on Complementary and Alternative Methods of Cancer Management

Complementary and Alternative Methods for Cancer Management

Placebo Effect

Learning About New Ways to Treat Cancer

Learning About New Ways to Prevent Cancer

References

Aetna InteliHealth. Craniosacral therapy. Accessed at www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/34968.html#ghijkl on December 10, 2010.

Barrett S. Craniosacral therapy. Accessed at www.quackwatch.org on December 10, 2010.

Barrett S. Dubious aspects of osteopathy. Accessed at www.quackwatch.org on May 30, 2008.

Cassileth B. The Alternative Medicine Handbook. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Co; 1998.

Downey PA, Barbano T, Kapur-Wadhwa R, et al. Craniosacral therapy: the effects of cranial manipulation on intracranial pressure and cranial bone movement. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006 Nov;36(11):845-53.

Green CJ, Martin CW, Bassett K, Kazanjian A.A systematic review and critical appraisal of the scientific evidence on craniosacral therapy, Joint Health Technology Assessment series. Accessed at www.chspr.ubc.ca/files/publications/1999/bco99-01J_cranio.pdf on December 10, 2010.

Greenman PE, McPartland JM. Cranial findings and iatrogenesis from craniosacral manipulation in patients with traumatic brain syndrome. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1995;95:182-188; 191-192.

Hartman SE, Norton JM. Craniosacral therapy is not medicine. Phys Ther. 2002 Nov;82(11):1146-7.

Matarán-Peñarrocha GA, Castro-Sánchez AM, García GC, et al. Influence of Craniosacral Therapy on Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Sep 3.

Moran RW, Gibbons P. Intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability for palpation of the cranial rhythmic impulse at the head and sacrum. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001;24:183-190.

Rogers JS, Witt PL, Gross MT, Hacke JD, Genova PA. Simultaneous palpation of the craniosacral rate at the head and feet: intrarater and interrater reliability and rate comparisons. Phys Ther. 1998;78:1175-1185.

Note: This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical situation.