CRANIO SACRAL THERAPY
Craniosacral therapy (also called cranial osteopathy,
osteopathy in the cranial field or cranial therapy) is a method
of alternative medicine involving very gentle manipulation, particularly
of the head. It is used by craniosacral therapists or osteopaths
who claim to assess and enhance the functioning of the patient by
accessing their primary respiratory mechanism, which consists of
the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid of the central nervous system.
Craniosacral treatment
Typically craniosacral treatment is carried out
on a fully-clothed patient in a supine position. The therapist places
their hands lightly on the patient’s body, tuning in to the patient
by ‘listening’ with their hands or, in Sutherland’s words, “with
thinking fingers”. Therapeutic contact between the patient and therapist
may involve entrainment between patient and practitioner.
Criticisms of Craniosacral therapy
Proponents claim that measurements of craniosacral
motion are a function of the cardiovascular system, and that by
working with the body, including the skull they can remove restrictions
in the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, relieving stress, decreasing
pain, and enhancing overall health. It is claimed that improving
the flow and balance of the supply of this fluid to the brain assists
in information processing and other Autism-associated
challenges.
Opponents claim that the therapy has been shown
to be without scientific basis, and to date there have been no adequate
evaluative studies of this approach (Howlin, 1997). Sceptics existing
both inside and outside the osteopathic profession level the following
criticisms at craniosacral therapy:
Lack of evidence for the existence of “cranial bone movement”
The scientific evidence for cranial bone movement
is insufficient to support the theories claimed by craniosacral
practitioners. Scientific research supports the theory that the
cranial bones fuse during adolescence, making movement impossible.
However, this research only points to fusion of the base of the
skull which is not contested in craniosacral therapy and does not
address movement in the superior plates. As such, this research
plays no part in disproving the type of cranial bone movement as
postulated by craniosacral therapy.
Lack of evidence for the existence of “cranial rhythm”
While evidence exists for cerebrospinal fluid
pulsation, one study states it is caused by the functioning of the
cardiovascular system and not by the workings of the craniosacral
system.
Lack of evidence linking “cranial rhythm” to disease
No research to date has supported the link between
the “cranial rhythm” and general health.
Lack of evidence “cranial rhythm” is detectable by practitioners
Operator inter reliability has been very poor
in the studies that have been done. Five studies showed an operator
inter reliability of zero. The one study showing some operator inter
reliability has been criticized as deeply flawed in a report to
the British Columbia Office of Health Technology Assessment.
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