Craniosacral therapy (CST) is based on the belief that by using light pressure exhibited through touch the pressures afflicted on the craniosacral system can be reduced, thereby leading to wellness in individuals with certain conditions affecting the brain, spine and other areas of the body.

The craniosacral system encompasses the cranial bones, cerebrospinal fluid, nerves, and membranes that encompass the brain and spinal cord. This holistic practice also reinforces the idea that the bones of the cranium can be moved and that this movement affects the craniosacral rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid.

This alternative view of medicine differs from the more mainstream belief in many academic circles that the bones that form the skull fuse during adolescence and are therefore unable to move.

The history of CST began with Physician William Sutherland, who first postulated the idea between 1898 and 1900. In the 1940s Dr. Sutherland directed a post-graduate course at the American School of Osteopathy in relation to his findings. From 1975 – 1983 Dr. John Upledger furthered Sutherland's research through various clinical trials and published reports on CST while serving as a professor of biomechanics and a clinical researcher at the University of Michigan.

Today there is wide debate among physicians, scientists, patients, and licensed CST practitioners as to whether or not CST can heal various ailments and whether the tenets of the treatment hold up to medical scrutiny.

According to advocates there are numerous benefits to CST treatment. These include alleviations of such conditions as migraines, chronic neck and back pain, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), fibromyalgia, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and chronic fatigue syndrome. Many patients with these disorders believe that their CST treatment helped alleviate the symptoms associated with these diseases and disorders, enabling them to live healthier lives.

Opponents argue that the facts, beliefs and tenets of CST are themselves flawed, either because of inconclusive research or because of a disregard for accepted practices and beliefs in the medical field. One of the main arguments against CST is the belief that the bones of the skull cannot move unless great pressure, for example a medical saw used during neurosurgery, are used upon the cranium. They belief that the pressure advocated by supporters of CST, that pressure exerted by fingertips alone can help relieve pain and ailments, does not hold up to accepted medical practices.

Currently the National Institute of Health is conducting clinical trials to determine whether craniosacral therapy can relieve migraines, which are difficult to treat in many patients even with medication. Thus far the research suggests that such techniques do offer relief to patients.