Navigating the Evidence: What Research Says About Craniosacral Fascial Therapy in Pediatrics and Adults

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As a clinician who works with both children and adults using gentle, hands-on therapy like Craniosacral Fascial Therapy, I often hear from parents and clients who want to understand what the research really says. It’s a great question — and one I deeply respect.

The truth is, while there’s a growing body of evidence suggesting benefits for certain populations, the research is still catching up with what many of us see every day in practice.

For children, especially infants, studies — though often small — have shown encouraging results for issues like colic, head shape asymmetry, and feeding challenges. For example, a few small randomized trials have found that babies who received craniosacral therapy cried less and slept better than those who didn’t (Hayden & Mullinger, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2021). For adults, research and clinical experience suggest potential benefits for conditions related to stress, tension headaches, chronic pain, and postural strain. While evidence is mixed and more rigorous studies are needed, many adults report improvements in overall relaxation, sleep, and body comfort following treatment.

As a therapist, I see this as both exciting and humbling. Science gives us one lens to look through, and hands-on experience gives us another. Craniosacral fascial work is a gentle approach — not forceful manipulation, but a subtle technique aimed at easing strain and supporting the body’s natural balance. Research so far suggests this is generally safe when performed by trained professionals, and many families and individuals report improvements in comfort, function, and well-being. Still, I always encourage people to think of this therapy as part of a team-based approach — alongside primary care providers, physical or occupational therapists, mental health clinicians, and other specialists as needed.

It’s also worth noting that growth in research mirrors what we value in practice: collaboration, curiosity, and care. The next steps for the field include larger studies with consistent outcome measures and clearer reporting — work that’s already beginning in several clinical research groups. In the meantime, I find that being transparent about what we know (and what we’re still learning) helps clients make informed, confident decisions.

In short, craniosacral fascial therapy can be a beautiful complement to both pediatric and adult care — gentle, supportive, and tailored to each person. The science continues to evolve, and I’m encouraged by where it’s heading. My role is to bridge the evidence with the lived experience of each client — honoring both what research tells us and what people feel in their own healing journeys.

• Arnadottir, T. S., & Sigurdsson, H. (2013). Craniosacral therapy in the treatment of colic: A systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 21(6), 653–661.

• Castro-Sánchez, A. M., Matarán-Peñarrocha, G. A., Arroyo-Morales, M., Saavedra-Hernández, M., Fernández-Sola, C., & Moreno-Lorenzo, C. (2011). Effects of craniosacral therapy on pain and heart rate variability in fibromyalgia patients: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17(12), 1091–1098.

• Cerritelli, F., et al. (2020). Manual therapies in pediatric populations: A systematic review. BMC Pediatrics, 20(1), 227.

• Haller, H., Lauche, R., Cramer, H., Rampp, T., & Dobos, G. (2019). Craniosacral therapy for chronic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 42, 17–24.

• Hayden, C., & Mullinger, B. (2021). Cranial osteopathy for infants with colic: a randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 43, 101336.

• Jäkel, A., & Hauenschild, P. (2011). A systematic review to evaluate the clinical benefits of craniosacral therapy. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 19(6), 356–366.

• Matarán-Peñarrocha, G. A., Castro-Sánchez, A. M., García, G. C., Moreno-Lorenzo, C., Carvajal-Santos, F., & Arroyo-Morales, M. (2011). Craniosacral therapy for the treatment of chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 25(9), 933–943.

• Pizzolorusso, G., Turi, P., Barlafante, G., Cerritelli, F., Renzetti, C., D’Orazio, M., & D’Incecco, C. (2016). Effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment in neonatal intensive care units: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pediatrics, 16(1), 65.

• Posadzki, P., & Ernst, E. (2011). Systematic review of craniosacral therapy: biological plausibility, assessment, and clinical effectiveness. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 19(6), 384–391.

• Roura, S., Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C., & Martín-Pintado-Zugasti, A. (2022). Efficacy of fascial therapy in adults with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 12, 9982.

Dr. Rebecca Turkel is a Licensed Physical Therapist, Craniosacral Fascial Therapist, Certified Early Intervention Specialist, Certified Educator of Infant Massage, Certified in Neonatal Behavior Observation, and Integrative Breastfeeding Educator. 

Dr. Turkel has over 19 years’ experience working with families in an Early Intervention setting as a Developmental Specialist and Physical Therapist as well as 15 years’ experience working at Boston Children's Hospital as a Physical Therapist.