Research in CST

One of the challenges for therapists in complementary medicine is in doing research that provides an evidence base. Part of the challenge comes because we don't treat all of the people with similar symptoms the same way, because we may use or combine different approaches and also because we don't have huge sums of money to throw at the problem. However, Dr Upledger did do alot of research into the physical techniques when he was at Michigan State University. He was asked there to research what was happening, if anything, when cranial osteopaths carried out their techniques. Much of what he learned and the research he carried out with others is recorded in the appendices of his book CranioSacral Therapy. There were also numerous publications in osteopathic journals in the 70s and 80s which can be hard to find copies of today. However, on this page you will find a mix of some of the older and more up to date research that has been going on. 

Most recently (to my knowledge today that is) an outcome study was published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in Jan 2011. This was spearheaded by Rachel Harrison and John Page and involved a number of different therapists presenting outcome data under a set of criteria. You can read a shortened version here: OUTCOME STUDY.

Get Involved

Currently Caro O'Neill is co-ordinating a continuation of this study and needs the co-operation of practitioners. If you are SER2 trained and above, or SER1 but regularly attend a study group and use the work in your practice, you can get involved. The study involves a committment to asking the next 10 patients you see for CST to fill in a BASELINE QUESTIONAIRE at the start of their treatments and an OUTCOME QUESTIONAIRE after 6 sessions, or fewer if they cease treatment before that. Here is the INTRODUCTORY LETTER that explains the details and the forms you need are linked to above - please do get involved if you are interested.

Other Research  - Links to Abstracts or Papers

Published Articles
There are some recent articles that have been published looking at the effectiveness of CST. This is a list of some of them - the full articles are available on www.upledger.com

Castro-Sanchez AM, Mataran-Penarrocha GA, Sanchez-Labraca N, Quesada-Rubio JM, Granero-Molina J, Moreno-Lorenzo C: A randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of craniosacral therapy on pain and heart rate variability in fibromyalgia patients. Clin Rehabil  Jan 25(1):25-35, 2011. Epub 2010 Aug 11. Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, University of Almeria, Spain, adelaid@ual.es.

Curtis P, Gaylord SA, Park J, Faurot KR, Coble R, Suchindran C Coeytaux RR, Wilkinson L, Mann JD: Credibility of low-strength static magnet therapy as an attention control intervention for a randomized controlled study of Craniosacral therapy for migraine headaches. J Altern Complement Med Aug; 17(8):711-21. Epub 2011 July 6. Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.

Geldschlager S: Osteopathic versus orthopedic treatments for chronic epicondylopathia humeri radialis: a randomized controlled trial. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Natuheilkd. Apr; 11(2):93-7, 2004.
Gerdner LA, Hart LK, Zimmerman MB: Craniosacral stillpoint technique: exploring its effects in individuals with dementia. J Gerontol Nurs Mar; 34(3):36-45, 2008.

Harrison RE, Page JS: Multipractitioner Upledger Craniosacral Therapy: descriptive outcome study 2007-2008. J. Altern Complement Med Jan; 17 (1): 13-7, 2011. Epub 2011 Jan 9. Harrison RE. Page JS. General Practice, National Health Service, Edinburgh, UK. rachelharrison@onetel.com.

Mataran-Penarrocha GA, Castro-Sanchez AM, Garcia GC, Moreno-Lorenzo C, Carreno, TP, Zafra MD: Influence of Craniosacral Therapy on Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Sep 3. [Epub ahead of print] 2009. Almeria, CP 04009, Spain, lemur@correo.ugr.es.

Mehl-Madrona L, Kligler B, Silverman S, Kynton H, Merrell W: The impact of acupuncture and craniosacral therapy interventions on clinical outcomes in adults with asthma. Explore (NY) Jan-Feb; 3(1):28-36,2007. Explore (NY). 2007 Jan-Feb;3(1):28-36. Department of Family Medicine, University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, lewis.mehl-madrona@usask.ca.

Nourbakhsh MR, Fearon FJ: The effect of oscillating energy manual therapy on lateral epicondylitis: a randomized, placebo-control, double-blinded study. J Hand Ther Jan-March; 21(1):4-13, 2008. Department of Physical Therapy, North Georgia College and State University, Dahlonega, Georgia 30597, USA. mrnourbakhsh@ngcsu.edu.

Raviv G, Shefi S, Nizani D, Achiron A: Effect of craniosacral therapy on lower urinary tract signs and symptoms in multiple sclerosis. Complement Ther Clin Pract May; 15(2):72-5. Epub 2009 Jan 30. Urology Department, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel, gravivg@zahav.net.il