Cranial Osteopathy was developed by William Sutherland D.O. (1873-1954). He theorized that given the structure and architecture of the cranial bones they must be mobile on an extremely subtle level allowing a respiratory movement to occur in relation to the cranial fluid which surrounds the brain and spinal chord. Thus began his life’s work developing and teaching his findings to other Osteopaths, MD’s and Dentists. Towards the end of his life Sutherland reported he began to sense a power which generated corrections from inside his clients bodies without the use of external forces applied by him as a therapist. Contact with what he referred to as “The Breath of Life” and others compared to prana or Qi changed his treatment focus to one based in spirituality and subtle touch.
This was the seed planted to what we now call Craniosacral Therapy. A term coined by John E. Upledger who developed his own treatment style based on Sutherlands theory’s and began teaching non osteopaths this style of healing work. There have been and still are many contributors to the development of Craniosacral Therapy; too many to name and give proper recognition to in this small explanation. But it is important to note that although Craniosacral Therapy is seemingly embryonic in it’s existence as far the history of humans are concerned. The techniques and methods employed in Cranial work can be easily traced to healing methods used by indigenous peoples and cultures across the globe and throughout human history. Some of this may be due to the developers of this healing practice being directly influenced, but more likely is that when one quiets themselves to listen and connect with another being on the more subtle levels of our senses there can be found a universal knowledge and connection established which is a gateway to our own inner healing.
Craniosacral Therapy often employs the use of light touch as a method to connect into the craniosacral system which consists of:
It is believed that when the therapist establishes a relationship with this system (the most central part of our beings physically, energetically, and spirituality) that the clients system will be allowed to reset itself. In this resetting or what we refer to as “unwinding” process, the clients own healing process is unlocked affecting the tissue, psyche, spiritual connection, or wherever else the healing process needs to take place.
Craniosacral Therapy has been shown to alleviate a wide range of conditions, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue, motor-coordination impairments, chronic neck and back pain, scoliosis, central nervous system disorders, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), autism, stress and tension-related problems, and orthopedic problems.
This type of healing work is so gentile that the range of benefits can be received by almost anybody regardless of age, physical makeup, or condition, although there is a contraindication for those adversely affected by increased fluid flow such as someone who has suffered a stroke. The best explanation of this work is found by receiving it. To learn a little more about this work and receiving a session click here to be taken to our sessions page.