The Science behind Craniosacral Therapy and its Benefits

For individuals suffering from neck pain and headaches, can craniosacral head massage therapy help provide relief?

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle massage to release fascia or connective tissue network tension. The therapy is not new but has gained new attention because of the public interest in natural pain treatments and therapies. Studies are limited, but clinical research is ongoing to see if the therapy can become a mainstream treatment option. The therapy aims to alleviate the symptoms of various health ailments and conditions, including:

• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Complex regional pain syndrome – CRPS
• By relieving compression in the lower back, head, and spinal column, cerebrospinal fluid circulation is restored, and the body rhythms within the nervous system are reset. This provides pain relief, lowers stress, and improves overall well-being.

Massage Objectives

Several conditions and ailments said to benefit from craniosacral therapy include (Heidemarie Haller et al., 2019) (Heidemarie Haller, Gustav Dobos, and Holger Cramer, 2021)

• Headaches
• Migraines
• Chronic pain conditions
• Stress-related disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Tinnitus – ringing in the ears
• Dizziness
• Infantile colic
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – ADHD
• Asthma
• Therapy to relieve cancer treatment side effects.

The focus areas are those along the fascia, the connective tissue that holds organs, blood vessels, bones, nerve fibers, and muscles in place. By working this tissue through gentle-pressure massage, practitioners help to calm the fight-or-flight response by relaxing the sympathetic nervous system. The symptoms will determine what areas of the body necessitate craniosacral therapy. Individuals with headaches will be given a head or neck massage. Other areas involved in craniosacral therapy include: (Heidemarie Haller, Gustav Dobos, and Holger Cramer, 2021)

• Back
• Around the spinal column.
• Other areas like the joints or muscles.
• The pressure applied during craniosacral therapy is light and not the same as a deep tissue massage.
• Light pressure is applied over the affected fascial tissue to help reset certain body rhythms that could play a role in pain and other symptoms. (Heidemarie Haller, Gustav Dobos, and Holger Cramer, 2021)

Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Nervous System

• The parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems control various body responses.
• The parasympathetic nervous system supports proper rest and digestive functions, and the sympathetic nervous system regulates the body’s fight-or-flight response. (Cleveland Clinic. 2022)

Therapy Techniques

The massage techniques used in craniosacral therapy rely on low pressure intended to be as gentle as possible. The fingertips are often used to avoid applying too much pressure. Healthcare providers work the areas between the skull and the bottom of the spine to identify and reset imbalances within the body and the cerebrospinal fluid. If there is an imbalance in cerebrospinal fluid, the massage therapist will reposition the individual or press on the area to release and/or increase circulation. The techniques work to improve the body’s ability to regulate physiological responses. (Heidemarie Haller et al., 2019) During and after the session, individuals may experience different sensations, including: (Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America, 2024)

• Relaxation.
• Feeling like being in a meditative state.
• Sleepiness.
• Energized.
• Feeling a sense of warmth.
• Deeper breathing.
• Feeling the body is straighter and taller.

Individuals Who Should Not Receive Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy is considered safe; however, some individuals should avoid it or consult a healthcare provider before trying it. Those recommended not to receive the treatment include individuals with the following ailments or disorders:

• Concussion or other traumatic brain injuries.
• Blood clots.
• Brain swelling.
• Brain aneurysm – a blood-filled bulge in a blood vessel in or around the brain.
• Conditions that cause cerebrospinal fluid buildup.

Treatment

Craniosacral therapy is offered by several healthcare providers, including:

• Craniosacral therapy licensed massage therapists
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Osteopaths
• Chiropractors

These professionals know how to perform the massage technique correctly.

Tension Headaches

References

Haller, H., Lauche, R., Sundberg, T., Dobos, G., & Cramer, H. (2019). Craniosacral therapy for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 21(1), 1. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-3017-y

Haller, H., Dobos, G., & Cramer, H. (2021). The use and benefits of Craniosacral Therapy in primary health care: A prospective cohort study. Complementary therapies in medicine, 58, 102702. doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102702

Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) (Health Library, Issue. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23123-peripheral-nervous-system-pns

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America. (2024). What is a session like? www.craniosacraltherapy.org/what-is-a-session-like-