Craniosacral Therapy for Headache Management: A Systematic Review of Therapeutic Efficacy and Mechanisms

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a manual therapeutic approach designed to relieve tension within the craniosacral system and is increasingly being utilized in the management of headache disorders. However, its clinical efficacy, particularly for cervicogenic headache (CGH) and tension‐type headache (TTH), remains under investigation. To evaluate the effectiveness of CST specifically for CGH and TTH, a focused literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English. The selected studies were examined for details on intervention protocols and outcome measures, including headache frequency, intensity, and duration, as well as any proposed mechanisms of action. The results of these RCTs indicate promising outcomes, showing reductions in both the frequency and intensity of headaches among individuals with CGH and TTH. Some studies suggest these improvements may be attributed to modulation of the autonomic nervous system and musculoskeletal relaxation. Overall, evidence from RCTs suggests that CST may serve as an effective complementary approach for managing CGH and TTH. However, larger and more rigorously designed RCTs with standardized treatment protocols are required to confirm its efficacy and better understand the underlying mechanisms.