Infant Craniosacral Therapy: The Good, The Bad, and Integrity
Craniosacral therapy (CST) is gaining recognition as a powerful tool for supporting newborns and infants—helping with everything from feeding difficulties to birth trauma and nervous system regulation. But as its popularity grows, so do questions about training, experience, and who is truly qualified to work with babies.
In this post, we'll explore the good, the not-so-good, and the complexities of an unregulated field—because while this work is incredibly beneficial, not all trainings (or practitioners) are created equal.
A Brief History: Where Did Craniosacral Therapy Come From?
Craniosacral therapy originated from osteopathy, with its foundations laid by Dr. William Sutherland in the early 1900s. Later, Dr. John Upledger refined and expanded the method, bringing CST into the realm of bodywork and manual therapy. His work established a structured training path that requires multiple levels of study before practitioners can work with infants, recognizing that their systems are delicate and require a refined touch.
But more recently, newer modalities—like Cranio Fascial Therapy (CFT)—have entered the scene, offering significantly shorter trainings. And even newer are single-day in person and online courses where no prior CST knowledge is required to work on babies.
This brings up an important conversation: What level of training is truly necessary to safely and effectively work with infants?
The Not-So-Great: Short Trainings & The Lack of Regulation
One of the biggest concerns in the field is that CST is unregulated. The only requirement to practice is a license to touch, meaning a massage therapist, physical therapist, or chiropractor could take a weekend course and start working on newborns the very next day.
Let’s break down why this is problematic:
1️⃣ Shorter Trainings, More Complexity
Babies are not just "small adults." Their craniosacral rhythms are faster, their releases are more subtle, and they cannot verbally communicate discomfort. It takes time, skill, and experience to develop the palpation sensitivity required to work with them effectively. The idea that a practitioner could learn all of this in a weekend is concerning.
2️⃣ Misinformation About CST vs. CFT
A common claim in the CFT community is that their modality works on fascia while CST does not. This is simply not true. Fascia is inseparable from bone, muscles, arteries, and nerves—every craniosacral therapist works with fascia. Ironically, the founder of CFT studied with John Barnes, a leader in myofascial release, who in turn trained under Upledger. The lineage of knowledge is deeply connected, yet misleading statements create unnecessary division.
3️⃣ The Risk of Inexperience
Craniosacral therapy is subtle work, and with infants, even more so. A skilled practitioner knows how to feel for the body's responses, work with the nervous system, and recognize when a baby needs a different approach—or even a referral. Without adequate training, there’s a risk of over-treatment, missing key signs, or simply not being effective.
The Good: Why More Access to This Work Matters
With all that said, let’s be clear: Infant craniosacral therapy is incredibly needed. Babies benefit profoundly from this work, and there simply aren’t enough skilled practitioners to meet the demand.
The increase in trainings—especially more affordable ones—means more people are getting exposed to the work, which is valuable. More people learning is’t a bad thing—so long as there is integrity in how they practice.
How Can Parents Find a Skilled Craniosacral Therapist?
Since CST is unregulated, parents must advocate for their babies by asking the right questions. Here are a few to start with:
✅ What is your training in craniosacral therapy? (Look for multi-level training beyond a weekend course.)
✅ How many infants have you worked with? (Clinical experience matters.)
✅ What other training do you have in newborn physiology and development?
✅ Do you collaborate with other healthcare providers when needed?
The goal isn’t to discourage new practitioners from entering the field, but to encourage a standard of education, discernment, and integrity—because babies deserve that level of care.
A Call for Integrity in the Field
We’ve seen this pattern before in other healing modalities. Somatic work, trauma-informed care, and nervous system healing are all areas where someone can take a short training and suddenly claim expertise. But being a skilled practitioner is about more than just taking a course—it’s about deep study, ongoing education, and clinical experience.
If you’re a practitioner entering this field, I invite you to approach it with the reverence it deserves. Infant craniosacral therapy is an art, a science, and a skill that develops over time—not something that can be rushed.
If you’re a parent seeking support for your baby, know that asking questions doesn’t mean you don’t trust your provider—it means you’re ensuring they have the right experience to give your baby the best care possible.
This isn’t about calling people out—it’s about calling people in to a conversation about quality, integrity, and respect for the work.
💬 What do you think? Have you noticed this shift in the field? If you’re a parent, what helped you find a provider you trust? Let’s talk in the comments.