| Craniosacral massage therapy is a specialized | | | | to lessen external forces and give more leeway |
| form of massage that one should undergo only | | | | to inner healing. |
| from the hands of a licensed massage therapist | | | | Initially, traditional osteopathy resisted |
| or LMT who is also a certified craniosacral | | | | Sutherland’s cranial osteopathy. This began to |
| therapist. | | | | change when the American School of Osteopathy |
| Craniosacral massage therapy is also sometimes | | | | established a graduate course called |
| called cranial osteopathy or cranial sacral massage | | | | “Osteopathy in the Cranial Field” in 1940. |
| therapy. Craniosacral therapists release restrictions | | | | The Cranial Academy was set up in 1947 and the |
| on nerve passages by manipulating the skull, | | | | Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation was put up |
| cranial sutures, spine, diaphragm, and fascia. This is | | | | in 1953. Later on, Becker and James Jealous |
| supposed to bring proper alignment to misaligned | | | | further developed biodynamic osteopathy and |
| bones and to facilitate the smooth flow of | | | | Franklyn Sills further developed biodynamic |
| cerebrospinal fluid in the membranes enclosing the | | | | craniosacral therapy. |
| central nervous system. Through such | | | | Even the Michigan State University focused |
| manipulations, relief is achieved from a wide range | | | | studies on the Sutherland theory of cranial bone |
| of conditions such as temporomandibular joint | | | | movement from 1975 to 1983. The |
| disorder or the inflammation of the joint between | | | | neurophysiologist and histologist Ernest W. Retzlaff |
| the jaw and the skull, chronic headache, neck pain, | | | | and the osteopathic physician John E. Upledger |
| back pain, fibromyalgia and mental stress. | | | | headed the team composed of physiologists, |
| Craniosacral massage therapy was first developed | | | | anatomists, biophysicists and bioengineers. The |
| between 1898 and 1900 by William Sutherland | | | | two team leaders eventually had their support for |
| who was a doctor of osteopathy. He named it | | | | the Sutherland theories of cranial bone movement |
| cranial osteopathy because it was based on his | | | | and cranial rhythm published. |
| observation that the skull or cranium was not | | | | In fact, in 1987, Upledger established the Upledger |
| made of one solid bone as believed at that time, | | | | Institute advocating his own style of craniosacral |
| but was more like fish gills with temporal bones | | | | therapy. Affiliates of the Upledger Institute are |
| meeting the parietal bones in the beveled cranial | | | | covered by the Upledger's International |
| sutures. He saw that the cranium and the sacrum | | | | Association of Healthcare Practitioners. |
| at the bottom of the spine moved in | | | | In the UK, there is the College of Craniosacral |
| synchronized rhythm based on the inhalation and | | | | Therapy. In 1989, its graduates established the |
| exhalation of breathing. This connected to the | | | | Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK |
| basic philosophy of osteopathy where the Breath | | | | (CSTA). The Craniosacral Therapy Association of |
| of Life is considered as the vital life force. | | | | North America, in turn, was set up in 1998. On |
| From cranial osteopathy, Sutherland went on to | | | | the other side of the world, the Craniosacral |
| develop biodynamic osteopathy which is now | | | | Therapy Association of Australia was created in |
| called biodynamic craniosacral therapy. He had | | | | 2004. Indeed craniosacral massage therapy is a |
| connected his studies of the Breath of Life with | | | | healing modality with worldwide recognition. |
| the Eastern concepts of Qi or Prana. The three | | | | A licensed massage therapist or LMT can give not |
| were one and the same energy in his view, and | | | | only craniosacral massage therapy but also |
| enabled the body to naturally correct imbalances | | | | shiatsu, acupressure massage therapy, |
| and heal itself without need for external influences. | | | | reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue |
| This was the biodynamic theory, recognizing | | | | massage therapy, sports massage therapy and |
| embryological forces expressing the original intent | | | | pregnancy massage therapy. An experienced |
| of existence by allowing embryonic cells to shape | | | | licensed massage therapist also usually does |
| the body and heal the body, as well. Sutherland | | | | insurance billing for people in auto accidents since |
| became more spiritual and reverent at this point | | | | many of its clients have undergone such mishaps. |
| and he began to advocate a subtle touch in order | | | | |