Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy (also called CST, also spelled Cranial Sacral bodywork or therapy) is an alternative therapy used by occupational therapists, physiotherapists, massage therapists, naturopaths, and chiropractors. Craniosacral therapy was developed by Dr. John Upledger around 1983 and is loosely based on Osteopathy in the Cranial Field (OCF), which was developed in 1899 by William Garner Sutherland. OCF, or cranial osteopathy, as it is more commonly known, can only be practiced by fully licensed physicians (DOs and MDs) and dentists. Unlike craniosacral therapy, cranial osteopathy is considered an extension of osteopathic medicine, and its training is therefore strictly regulated by the osteopathic medical profession and its governing bodies.

A craniosacral therapy session involves the therapist placing their hands on the patient, which allows them to "tune into the craniosacral rhythm". Craniosacral therapists claim that this treatment modality has the ability to treat mental stress, neck and back pain, migraines, TMJ Syndrome, and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia.

Efficacy of craniosacral therapy remains controversial and has been characterized as pseudoscientific and as lacking a biologically plausible mechanism and diagnostic reliability though craniosacral therapy is being actively researched.