Craniosacral therapy (CST)

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a very gentle, hands-on bodywork technique that focuses on assessing and addressing restrictions in the craniosacral system, which includes the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Massage Therapist should use a light touch (often less than 5 grams of pressure) to promote relaxation, relieve tension, and support the body’s self-healing processes.​

Key Features

  • Uses extremely light, sustained manual pressure (comparable to the weight of a nickel) applied to the skull, sacrum, and along the spine.​

  • Therapist palpates for subtle movements or rhythms, sometimes referred to as the “craniosacral rhythm” or wave, believed to relate to cerebrospinal fluid flow.​

  • Touch is non-invasive, with no forceful manipulations or thrusts; clients remain fully clothed and are typically positioned lying comfortably on a massage table.​

  • Common techniques include still point induction (holding the skull or sacrum in gentle contact), fascial release, and energy cyst release to encourage tissue relaxation.​

  • Sessions usually last 30–60 minutes and are deeply relaxing for many clients.​

Purposes and Benefits

  • Promotes deep relaxation and activates the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous system response.​

  • Aims to reduce tension and restrictions in the fascia and tissues around the brain, spine, and sacrum.​

  • May relieve pain and dysfunction from headaches, migraines, neck or low back pain, trauma, TMJ disorder, or stress.​

  • Some proponents suggest it can improve mental clarity, sleep quality, and emotional well-being, though scientific support is mixed and CST remains an “alternative” or complementary approach.​

  • Can be helpful for people whose bodies are sensitive to deeper or more forceful manual therapies.​

Typical Use in Massage Therapy

  • Used for clients seeking a gentle approach to address chronic tension, stress, nervous system regulation, or recovery from trauma.​

  • Can be integrated into broader massage sessions or offered as a standalone therapy.​

  • Particularly suited for conditions with heightened nervous system sensitivity, post-concussion syndrome, mild traumatic brain injury, or when traditional deep tissue methods are too intense.​

  • Sometimes incorporated as a finishing technique for enhanced relaxation after conventional massage.