THE CONTROVERSY OF CRANIAL BONE MOTION

Cranial bone motion continues to stimulate controversy. This controver sy affects the general acceptance of some intervention methods used by physical therapists, namely, cranial osteopathic and craniosacral the rapy techniques. Core to these intervention techniques is the belief t hat cranial bone mobility provides a compliant system where somatic dy sfunction can occur and therapeutic techniques can be applied. Diversi ty of opinion over the truth of this concept characterizes differing v iewpoints on the anatomy and physiology of the cranial complex, litera ture on cranial bone motion was reviewed for the purpose oi better und erstanding this topic. Published research overall was scant and inconc lusive. Animal and human studies demonstrate a potential for small mag nitude motion. Physical therapists should carefully scrutinize the lit erature presented as evidence for cranial bone motion. Further researc h is needed to resolve this controversy. Outcomes research, however; i s needed to validate cranial bone mobilization as an effective treatme nt.