Research in CST
Building the Evidence Base…
One of the challenges for therapists in complementary medicine is carrying out research in CST that builds a reliable evidence base.
This challenge arises partly because we don’t treat different people with similar symptoms in the same way; we often combine multiple approaches tailored to the individual. Add to that the reality that most practitioners don’t have access to large-scale funding, and it’s easy to see why research in CST isn’t always straightforward.
Nevertheless, there is published research—both historic and emerging—that contributes to the growing body of evidence. Here is some of it.
original research
Dr John Upledger was a researcher at Michigan State University for seven years. In fact, he initially took up the post to research what was happening, if anything, when cranial osteopaths carried out their techniques – ie was it possible that there could be movement at the cranial sutures.
Much of what he learned, and the research in CST he conducted with others, is documented in the appendices of his book CranioSacral Therapy. He also published numerous articles in osteopathic journals throughout the 1970s and 1980s, although many of these are now difficult to source.
On this page, you’ll find a selection of both early and more recent examples of research in CST. While these may not follow the conventional clinical trial model aimed at ‘proving’ effectiveness for singular diagnoses, they still offer valuable insight into how CST works in real-world practice.
You’ll also find a growing number of research articles, case studies, and related publications in the searchable database on the Upledger Institute International’s website. Please explore!
The Latest: 3 Case Studies Published!
Want to join the group that is meeting to further this aim?
Quick – get in touch! Its an amazing resource for others to see how helpful CST can be.
Successful Application of CranioSacral Therapy in a Case of Colic in an 8-Week-Old Baby
By Caro O’Neill & Angie Butterfield
Successful application of CranioSacral Therapy in a case of self-harming and low mood in a 13-year-old female.
By Caro O’Neill & Angie Butterfield
There are also lots of articles accessible from our CST Blog pages.
Please search there too for topics of interest.
A Selection of Published Articles
Effectiveness of Craniosacral Therapy in Cervicogenic Headache
Keerthi Rao and Subhash Katri MOJ Yoga & Physical Therapy Volume 2 Issue 4 – 2017
Credibility of low-strength static magnet therapy as an attention control intervention for a randomized controlled study of Craniosacral therapy for migraine headaches
Curtis P, Gaylord SA, Park J, Faurot KR, Coble R, Suchindran C Coeytaux RR, Wilkinson L, Mann JD: . 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.
Multipractitioner Upledger Craniosacral Therapy: descriptive outcome study 2007-2008.
Harrison RE, Page JS: 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.
Influence of Craniosacral Therapy on Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia.
Mataran-Penarrocha GA, Castro-Sanchez AM, Garcia GC, Moreno-Lorenzo C, Carreno, TP, Zafra MD: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Sep 3. [Epub ahead of print] 2009. Almeria, CP 04009, Spain, lemur@correo.ugr.es.
Effect of craniosacral therapy on lower urinary tract signs and symptoms in multiple sclerosis.
Raviv G, Shefi S, Nizani D, Achiron A: 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
Clearing the Fog: Craniosacral Therapy Aims to Ease Dementia
By: Susan Heitler Ph.D. An interview with Michael Morgan about applying CranioSacral techniques to the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Psychology Today Blog June 2016
Cranial Rhythmic Impulse Related to the Traube-Hering-Mayer Oscillation: Comparing Laser-Doppler Flowmetry and Palpation.
Nelson, KE., Sergueff, N., Lipinski, CM., Chapman, AR., Glonek, T. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.2001 101(3): 163-173.
Osteopathic versus orthopedic treatments for chronic epicondylopathia humeri radialis: a randomized controlled trial.
Geldschlager S: Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Natuheilkd. Apr; 11(2):93-7, 2004.
A randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of craniosacral therapy on pain and heart rate variability in fibromyalgia patients.
Castro-Sanchez AM, Mataran-Penarrocha GA, Sanchez-Labraca N, Quesada-Rubio JM, Granero-Molina J, Moreno-Lorenzo C: 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.
Craniosacral stillpoint technique: exploring its effects in individuals with dementia
Gerdner LA, Hart LK, Zimmerman MB: . J Gerontol Nurs Mar; 34(3):36-45, 2008.
The effect of oscillating energy manual therapy on lateral epicondylitis: a randomized, placebo-control, double-blinded study.
Nourbakhsh MR, Fearon FJ: 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.
The impact of acupuncture and craniosacral therapy interventions on clinical outcomes in adults with asthma.
Mehl-Madrona L, Kligler B, Silverman S, Kynton H, Merrell W: 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.
Combined Manual Therapy Techniques for the Treatment of Women With Infertility: A Case Series.
Mary Ellen Kramp, DPT, CLT-LANA
Recording the Rate of the Cranial Rhythmic Impulse
Nelson, KE., Sergueef, N., Glonek, T. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 2006 106(6):337-341
The palpated cranial rhythmic impulse (CRI): Its normative rate and examiner experience
Nicette Sergueef, Melissa A. Greer, Kenneth E. Nelson*, Thomas Glonek International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine 14 (2011) 10-16
