Craniosacral Work (Cranial)
 In early 1900, Dr. William Sutherland began studying the human cranial system and developed an approach to alleviate stress and imbalance in the craniosacral system which he believed caused dysfunction in the body. In the 1940’s the American School of Osteopathy started a post-graduate course called “Osteopathy in the Cranial Field”. In 1947 the Cranial Academy was established in the U.S., teaching DO's, MDs and Dentists. In 1985 Dr. John Upledger founded The Upledger Institute to educate the public and healthcare professionals about the benefits of craniosacral therapy. Today practitioners include DOs, MDs, DCs, NDs, Psychiatric Specialists, Psychologists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Acupuncturists, and Massage Therapists.
 The Craniosacral Therapy practitioner works with the client to assist the body’s self-correcting mechanisms. Generally using about five grams of pressure, or about the weight of a nickel, the practitioner evaluates the body’s craniosacral system.
This system plays the vital role of maintaining the environment in which the central nervous system functions. It includes the brain, the cerebrospinal fluid, the system of membranes inside the cranium, all twenty two cranial bones, the spine and the sacrum. Since the brain and spinal cord are contained within the central nervous system, it is easy to see that the craniosacral system has powerful influence over a wide variety of bodily functions.
 The Craniosacral Therapy practitioner essentially helps the body release restrictions – which it has been unable to overcome on its own – that inhibit the body’s normal, self-correcting tendencies. Rather than deciding how these changes should be made, the therapist follows cues from the body on how to proceed. When the therapist follows, this gentle approach, the method is extremely safe and effective.
During Craniosacral Therapy the client is fully clothed lying face up on the table.
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, tempromandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), stress and tension-related problems, and orthopedic problems. While the focus of cranial work is to uncover the source of the problem, symptom relief also is achieved. The length of time and number of sessions needed is extremely variable and depends, among other factors, on the complex layers of injury and trauma that may mask the original cause of the problem as well as the body’s defense mechanisms. Due to its gentleness and effectiveness, many people include cranial as a component in their personal wellness programs. They report having more energy, sleeping better and being sick less often. They report being able to get back to doing the things, both old and new, that they want to with and in their lives.
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