Craniosacral therapy is one of the more controversial aspects of New Age. The theory is that the skull bones on our head can be massaged in such a way as to relieve pain and a variety of other ailments as well as enhance cognitive abilities. This claim has of course been met with great skepticism for a number of reasons.

For one thing, unlike the jaw, the skull does not have movable parts. Despite this the popularity of this method continues to grow. The proponents claim a lot of benefits from this therapy, first instituted in 1932 by William G. Sutherland. The osteopath John Upledger is the main advocate of the therapy in the modern era.

Experts in craniosacral therapy claim to be able to detect a rhythm in the cranium and the membranes which cover the craniosacral system. They currently have no method of measuring the results gained and have no system of comparing healthy to unhealthy craniums.

Many think the effect of this treatment is due to what is called the placebo effect. Many more analysts believe it is an example of subjective validation or associative projection. This therapy has been tested many times with no verifiable results. In 1999 the British Columbia Office of Health Technology Assessment determined: "there is insufficient scientific evidence to recommend craniosacral therapy to patients, practitioners or third party payers for any clinical condition."

I think this is just a new version of snake oil, but feel free to check it out on your own. Many proponents of the method offer do-it-yourself advice as well as free sessions to get you involved. Obviously they believe in it, so if you are still interested, give it a try. But just know that science has no proof that this method has any healing effects on health.

Learn more about this author, Royce Radcliffe.
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