Explore the Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Headaches and migraines, stress and tension, persistent pain, particularly head and neck, and atypical facial pain are a few of the medical conditions where craniosacral therapy (CST) may provide relief, according to Dr. Ronald Glick, medical director of the UPMC Center for Integrative Medicine. But since CST may not be as well known as other medical treatments, it may often be overlooked.

Jessie Larson, medical massage therapist and craniosacral practitioner at the Center, provided a definition of craniosacral therapy. “It is defined by the founding Upledger organization as ‘a gentle, hands-on method that engages the Craniosacral System—a unified, whole-being system reflecting the integration of physical structures, physiological rhythms, and energetic processes,’” she said. According to Larson, CST was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and professor of biomechanics.

She also further explained, “To keep it as simple and clear as possible, I often describe it to clients as one of the gentlest massage modalities where I am cradling the head and neck and using gentle massage pressure to release contracture and adhesions within the cervical spine,” she said, “but then also cradling the sacrum and helping to facilitate a gentle release throughout the entire spine – i.e. from the cranium to the sacrum. For a pure craniosacral session, people often just lie supine and can remain clothed. However, I usually like to employ multiple modalities during a session, so I prefer to have them undressed and covered, much like a regular massage – CST just being one part of their treatment.”

With CST, the pressure is very light. “It is defined as the pressure of about a nickel’s weight on the skin. It is not uncommon for people to fall asleep during a session because it is so relaxing,” Larson said. “About 90% of people who come to see me complain of some sort of neck-related pain or migraines or lumbar/sciatic strain, so CST addresses all of those.”

Dr. Ronald Glick

Dr. Glick explained that while there are osteopathic physicians trained in craniosacral therapy, they are few and far between, so most treatment is provided by massage therapists such as Larson. “I refer patients commonly to take advantage of Jessie’s wide range of skills. I’ve never had a patient say that they have not benefited from the procedure; in fact, quite the opposite,” he said.

Those benefits, according to Larson, are often immediately released and continue throughout the day following a session. “People often report their pain or migraines going away completely for days after a treatment. Better sleep, mental clarity and focus, calm, and more,” she said. “Massage is one of the few things that increases circulation but decreases blood pressure. It also increases serotonin output but decreases the stress hormone cortisol. Therefore, it’s whole Mind-Body Wellness.”

Are there any drawbacks to CST? “We wouldn’t say ‘drawbacks’ in medical parlance but rather ‘contraindications.’ Because this is such a gentle modality there aren’t very many. The obvious ones would be recent severe trauma or injury to the head and spine. However, it is very effective for helping with relief of symptoms after concussions as long as the client’s PCP clears them for gentle body work,” Larson said. “It can really help with people who’ve had cervical fusions because scar tissue can form, and this helps safely soften and release some of it.”

CST is a modality safe for patients of any age, from infants to elderly, Larson said. “I have performed CST on children in the NICU as well as my oldest current patient who just turned 98.”

Dr. Glick said that in the past, research on CST was very limited. “It wasn’t often talked about in literature, but in the past 6-8 years, there have been more and better studies that show that it is very beneficial,” he said.

Way Wellness

Celeste Shannon, the craniosacral therapist at WAY Wellness Center, also helped to explain CST. “To understand this modality, we must recognize the craniosacral system. This consists of the brain, spinal cord, cranial bones and vertebrae. This system can be referred to as our ‘mainframe,’ the point where we send and receive all signals of our inner and outer world within the body,” she said. “Craniosacral therapy is a modality that uses gentle touch, focusing on the movement in the cranial bones, and the pulse of the craniosacral rhythm through the body to support the body’s natural and innate healing processes. Guided imagery can also be used in conjunction with this therapy to support the mind-body connection.”

Shannon said that CST is helpful to improve whole-body health and performance. “It can be particularly helpful in reducing pain from headaches, neck and back pain, sinus pressure, vertigo, jaw discomfort, and fibromyalgia. This modality can also be supportive for people that have suffered trauma – whether mental or physical,” she said.

She continued, “The benefits include relaxation, reduced pain, relief of dysfunction, and support in mind-body connection. A lot of people I work with deal with jaw pain. Some of them have been dealing with these symptoms for years. The feedback I get the most is, ‘My jaw feels much looser and relaxed.’ One of my clients even said, ‘It feels like you made more space in my jaw.’”

All ages can benefit from craniosacral therapy, Shannon said. “One of my teachers said that craniosacral therapy can help anyone from the ages of 0-101. I work with teens through elder years to support quality of life.”

Shannon suggested tips when seeking a therapist. “There are a few schools that teach this modality. Therapists attend seminars where they go through training and have certificates to show for the education. Some have a higher level of education in this therapy and will have CST as a title. Most importantly, you should look for someone you feel comfortable and safe with,” she said.

For more information about craniosacral therapy and treatment:

• UPMC Center for Integrative Medicine: https://www.upmc.com/services/integrative-medicine/services/craniosacral-therapy or 412-623-2023.

• WAY Wellness Center: waywellnesscenter.com or 412-772-1461.

• For more information on craniosacral therapy, Jessie Larson provided this source: https://www.upledger.com/courses/discover