The Art of Craniosacral Therapy

Cranial Osteopathy was originated by theBiodynamic approach to this healing modality, has
Osteopathic physician, William Garner Sutherland D.O.been practicing successfully for 45 years! In my own
(1873-1954). His 54 year epic journey began when,practice I have clients who have suffered from
through Divine Providence he notice that the cranialdebilitating migraine headaches for decades and find
sutures of the temporal bones were "beveled like thelasting relief! TMJ patients in excruciating pain become
gills of a fish" indicating the ability for movement withpain free in just a few sessions. I could continue to
the parietal bones, allowing for expansion andsupport this findings with many testimonials. In my
contraction. His conversations about this discoveryown practice I have clients who have suffered from
with his mentor Dr. Andrew Stills, the founder of thedebilitating migraine headaches for decades and find
osteopathic school in Missouri was supported. Bothlasting relief! TMJ patients in excruciating pain become
men believed the system was "designed to breath".pain free in just a few sessions. I could continue to
He called this breathing movement the primarysupport this findings with many testimonials. Dr. John
respiratory mechanism. This idea that the bones ofUpledger's institute has trained over 100,000 people
the skull could move was contrary to contemporaryto date and there would be a legion of testimonies
anatomical belief, then and today by some scientistto the efficacy of the work. The same disbelievers
and medical practitioners. Dr. Sutherland was a deeplyof this work who are searching for scientific
spiritual man and later described its origin as thevalidation can only throw drugs at the problem and
Breath of Life from the Book of Genesis 2:7. Thisthe people who finally come to Craniosacral Therapy
was an acknowledgement of the vital force as a asdo so because the "proven methods" have given
a fundamental aspect of osteopathic philosophy.them no relief! And,often times the side effects of
There are three approaches that have evolved sincethe prescribed drugs are impossible to live with.
Dr. William Garner Sutherland first began investigatingAgain, I am not asking anyone to "throw out the
the semi-closed hydraulic system of the cranialbaby with the bath water" and give up medical
system, which is comprised of the spine, the skull andtreatment, I am only suggesting that one find out for
its cranial sutures, diaphragms, fascia of the body andthemselves if alternative and complimentary
movement of Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) through theapproaches to health and healing prove valuable. I can
spinal cord. They are called the mechanical, functionalassure you of this, I have made a wonderful living,
and biodynamic models. Each refers to the amount ofwithout the benefit of third party insurance because
intervention of the practitioner. Dr. Sutherland s' ownit works. Science doesn't understand totally the
journey moved from intervention of the mechanicalmechanisms for homeostatic response. There was a
model to the softness of the listening approach oftime when scientist believed the Earth was flat.
the biodynamic model. My studies also began in theShamans have been using unsubstantiated methods
mechanical model which motions tests, and hasfor thousands of years. My practice has survived well
moved to the biodynamic approach.based on word of mouth and you can go to the
Sutherland began to teach this work to othertestimonial section on this website to document the
osteopaths from about the 1930s until his death invalue of the work! Just think Copernicus and Galileo!
1954. His work was at first largely rejected by theTowards the end of his life Sutherland believed that
mainstream osteopathic profession. It challenged thehe began to sense a "power" which generated
closely held beliefs among practitioners. Obviously, thishomeostatic responses within the clients' bodies
happens throughout any discipline that is practiced onwithout any influence of the therapist, except
the planet. Great thought is often challenged by areflection through witnessing. This discovery changed
more mediocre mind. Craniosacral Therapy comeshis entire treatment focus to one of spiritual
under attack and even ridicule because at this timereverence and subtle touch. He told his students to
those who disbelief in its authenticity and value offertouch without touching. To be still and know. This
no scientific support for this powerful model ofspiritual approach to the work is now know as both
healing. I find this laughable. Dr. Rollin Becker, DO was'biodynamic' craniosacral therapy and 'biodynamic'
one of Dr. Sutherland's accomplished proteges. Heosteopathy, and has had great influence from
gave up his standard model of Osteopathic practicepractitioners such as Rollin Becker, James Jealous
after 20 years to spend his last 35 years of practice(biodynamic osteopathy), and Franklyn Sills
performing craniosacral therapy because of its(biodynamic craniosacral therapy) who I studied with
efficacy! Dr. Sutherland practice it for 54 years! Dr.in the UK for two years.
James Jealous, the leading proponent of the