Cranial sacral therapy (CST) is sometimes also referred to as craniosacral therapy. It’s a type of bodywork that relieves muscle and joint tightness around the bones of the head, sacrum (a triangular bone in the lower back), and spinal column.

CST is noninvasive. It uses gentle pressure on the head, neck, and back to relieve the stress and pain caused by musculoskeletal tightness.

It’s thought that through the gentle manipulation of the bones in the skull, spine, and pelvis, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system can be normalized.

However, any abnormality or blockage of CSF flow requires prompt medical attention. In these situations, CST can be considered as an adjunct complementary therapy.

Depending on what you’re using CST to treat, you may benefit from between 3 and 10 sessions, or you may benefit from maintenance sessions.

What are the conditions that a craniosacral massage can help alleviate?

A craniosacral massage may give positive results in many cases, among them:

• Chronic pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches caused by migraine
• Neuralgia
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Temporomandibular joint syndrome
• Post-concussion syndrome
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Benefits

• Relieving tension in the central nervous system, promoting a feeling of well-being by eliminating pain and boosting health and immunity.
• Relieving pain and mobility constraints.
• Providing long-term relief from emotional discomfort.
• Enhancing the overall quality of life.
• Alleviating a wide range of pain, disease, and dysfunction, including chronic pain, central nervous system disorders, head and neck pain, TMJ dysfunction, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, seizure disorders, hormonal imbalances, chronic sinusitis, and more.

Side effects and risks

The most common side effect of cranial sacral therapy with is mild discomfort following the treatment. This is often temporary and will fade within 24 hours.

There are certain individuals who shouldn’t use CST. These include people who have:

• severe bleeding disorders
• a diagnosed aneurysm
• a history of recent traumatic head injuries, which may include cranial bleeding or skull fractures