Can Craniosacral Therapy Help With Concussion Recovery?

If you’ve ever had to work with a client who’s suffered a concussion, you’re likely interested in learning gentler modalities that might help with headaches, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light or noise. Craniosacral therapy (CST) is one such method, and there’s some interest in using it as part of post-concussion care.

But here’s the real question: can craniosacral therapy help with concussion recovery?

Preliminary research suggests CST may help relieve certain post-concussion symptoms, but there isn’t enough high-quality evidence to say the therapy treats concussions or speeds recovery from it, at least not yet.

It’s crucial to understand this fact as a massage therapist, because while you can help clients with complementary approaches, you also need to understand where CST may be helpful without trying to replace medical evaluation or appropriate concussion management.

Concussion Recovery and Massage Therapy

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can result from a blow or jolt to the head or body. A person with a concussion might experience symptoms that can affect their physical function, as well as their thinking and mood.

These symptoms can linger after the initial injury, and recovery isn’t exactly the same for everyone. This is where some clients may seek help from massage therapists. They may prefer a gentler form of massage to help ease pain or discomfort. 

Massage doesn’t replace medical treatment for concussion. Before you offer CST, you want to make sure a healthcare professional has evaluated a suspected concussion and is guiding the client’s recovery.

What Does Craniosacral Therapy Do?

Unlike some massage techniques that use more vigorous rubbing or kneading, craniosacral therapy uses very soft touches around the head, spine, and sacrum. The goal is to release physical tension and promote relaxation.

Generally, a client recovering from a concussion lies comfortably while you apply light pressure to the areas that need attention. Remember to ask how the client is feeling during the session and stop if anything makes their symptoms worse.

Keep in mind that your goal as a massage therapist is to complement your clients’ existing medical care using CST. Craniosacral therapy isn’t the same as treating a concussion itself. As a rule of thumb, always refer clients with conditions that require medical diagnosis to qualified healthcare professionals since that is outside your role.

Can Craniosacral Therapy Support Concussion Recovery?

Currently, there’s limited scientific evidence showing that CST can help with concussion recovery.

That said, a pilot study conducted in 2021 looked at people with a history of concussion who used craniosacral therapy for ongoing symptoms. Interestingly, many of them reported improvements in their symptoms after treatment, with some noticing changes after just a few sessions.

Although this was a small pilot study, it gives massage therapists something to consider when clients ask about CST after a concussion. However, keep in mind that the study was based largely on patients’ reports of their treatment outcomes. More research is needed to understand how much CST may contribute to symptom relief.

When discussing craniosacral therapy with clients, it’s usually best to present it as complementary care. You can explain that some people report feeling better after treatment, but avoid promising that it will heal a concussion or speed up the recovery process.

Working With Clients During Concussion Recovery

Avoid booking a massage for a client with a recent head injury solely on the assumption that gentle bodywork will help them recover quickly. You want to make sure the client has been evaluated by a healthcare professional before you provide CST.

You should also keep an eye out for symptoms that require urgent medical attention. Some of these include:

• A worsening headache

• Repeated vomiting

• Slurred speech

• Difficulty waking up

• Seizures

• Increasing confusion

Even when a client has the appropriate medical care and wants to include CST as part of their recovery plan, it’s crucial to maintain clear communication. Ask what their healthcare provider has recommended and stay within your professional scope.

It’s also important to review your massage liability insurance. NACAMS covers craniosacral therapy among its 500+ covered modalities, with professional and general liability coverage available under its massage insurance program. Coverage still depends on the terms of the policy and your legal scope of practice, so check those requirements before adding CST to your practice.

What Therapists Should Know About CST and Concussion Recovery

Can craniosacral therapy help with concussion recovery? Current research doesn’t provide enough evidence to say that it can. Still, CST may offer a gentle approach for appropriate clients, especially those who are already receiving medical care for their concussion.

If you already provide craniosacral therapy, having the right insurance can help you feel prepared for the work you do. NACAMS Craniosacral Therapy Massage Insurance provides occurrence-form professional and general liability coverage for massage therapists.

Get your coverage in place with NACAMS before working with clients who receive CST as part of their post-concussion care.

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