Introduction

1
Introduction History of Cranio Sacral Therapy

• By Dr. Leena S. Guptha

2
Goals and Objectives

• Introduce Cranio Sacral at the under graduate
  level (14 weeks, history, anatomy, techniques)
• An exploration into a different aspect of
  Osteopathic Medicine
• Opportunity to practice in the clinic and develop
  palpation skills and use of intention (light
  pressure, hair and yellow pages)
• Consider taking future Continued Professional
  Development

3
DR. ANDREW TAYLOR STILL (1828-1917)

• "...the cerebrospinal fluid is one of the highest
  known elements that are contained in the body,
  and unless the brain furnishes this fluid in
  abundance, a disabled condition of the body will
  remain."
• Dr. Still said
• "He who is able to reason will see that this
  great river of life (the cerebrospinal fluid)
  must be tapped and the withering field irrigated
  at once, or the harvest of health be forever
  lost."

4
DR. WILLIAM GARNER SUTHERLAND (1873-1954)

• "Within that cerebrospinal fluid there is an
  invisible element that I refer to as the 'Breath
  of Life.' I want you to visualize this Breath of
  Life as a fluid within the fluid, something that
  does not mix, something that has potency as the
  thing that makes it move. Is it really necessary
  to know what makes the fluid move? Visualize a
  potency, an intelligent potency, that is more
  intelligent than your own human mentality."

5
EARLY BEGINNINGS
William Garner Sutherland Final-year student
Kirksville, MO Disarticulated bones in a
cabinet Taught that adult cranial bones do not
move because their sutures become
fused Structure governs/follows function .
6
Like The Gills of A Fish
Examined the bevel-shaped sutures of a sphenoid
temporal bone. Sutures resembled the gills of a
fish and were designed for a respiratory motion.
Set out to try prove to himself that cranial
bones do not move, just as he had been taught.
Theory If cranial bones did move and if this
movement could be prevented, it should be
possible to experience the effect. The Helmet
(leather, shoes laces, baseball, rubber mats.etc)
7
Cranial Movement
Experimentation - tightened the straps, in
various directions. Symptoms Headaches and
digestive upsets, cranial tightness, more
headaches, sickness and disorientation. Other
directions Sense of great relief and an
improvement in cranial circulation. Convinced
that adult cranial bones do, in fact, move.
Responses (positive/negative) had shown him
that cranial movement must have some important
physiological function. (50 years of research)
8
Historical Acceptance
Western countries did not recognize Cranial
motion. Oriental systems e.g. Acupuncture and
Ayurveda appreciate the subtle movements which
occur throughout the body, caused by the flow of
vital force or life-energy (Naturopathic
Principle). Anatomists in Italy in the early
1900s were already teaching that adult cranial
sutures do not fully fuse, but continue to permit
small degrees of motion throughout life. India
Cranial manipulation has been practiced in India
for centuries by Egyptians and in Peru (2000 BC
to 200 AD).
9
Tissue Breathing

• Dr Sutherland explored and theorized
• The involuntary system of "breathing" in tissues,
  important for the maintenance of their health.
• Distinguishing living tissues from those which
  are dead.
• All cells of the body need to express a rhythmic
  "breathing" in order for them to function to
  their optimal ability.
• Subtle respiratory movements can be palpated by
  sensitive hands. He also discovered that this
  motion provided a wealth of clinical information.

10
The Breath of Life
The inherent life-force of the body the Breath
of Life (the animator or spark behind these
involuntary rhythms). The Breath of Life is
considered to carry a subtle yet powerful
"potency" or force, which produces subtle rhythms
as it is transmitted around the body.
..Cerebrospinal fluid has a significant role
in the expressing and distributing the potency of
the Breath of Life. As potency is taken up by the
cerebrospinal fluid, it generates a tide-like
motion. This motion has great importance in
carrying the Breath of Life throughout the body
and, as long as it is expressed, health will
follow.
11
Expressions of Health
The Breath of Life carries a basic Intelligence
and realized that this intrinsic force could be
employed by the practitioner for promoting
health. (Naturopathic vital force) Two basic
tenets of cranio-sacral work 1) Life expresses
itself as motion. 2) There is a clear
relationship between motion and health.
12
Primary Respiratory Motion
The system of tissues and fluids at the core of
the body which express a subtle rhythmic motion
primary respiratory mechanism. Not under
voluntary muscular control, they are also
sometimes referred to as the involuntary
mechanism (or I.V.M.). Primary" motion
underlies all others. It is the manifestation of
the life-stream itself. Every cell expresses this
primary respiratory motion throughout its life.
Many different symptoms and pathologies which
involve both body and mind are related to
disturbances of primary respiratory
motion. Revitalized a man that did not appear
conscious and breathing
13
SPREAD OF THE WORK

• Taught Osteopaths (1930s1954)
• Rejection by the mainstream osteopathic
  profession.
• Clinical results impressive
• Small group of osteopathic colleagues studied
  with him.
• In the 1940s the first osteopathic school in
  America started a post-graduate course called
  "Osteopathy in the Cranial Field" under the
  tutelage of Dr Sutherland.
• This new branch of practice became known as
  Cranial osteopathy.

14
DR. HAROLD I MAGOUN Sr. (1898-1981)
Sutherlands Student Promoted Cranial
Osteopathy Author of Osteopathy in the Cranial
Field, considered to be the Bible 1951 used by
American Cranial Academy and The Sutherland
Teaching Foundation. Dr. Magoun taught Dr.
Uplegder Cranio-Sacral.
15
DR. JOHN E. UPLEDGER (1932- October 26 2012)

• Researched intricate details a yet simultaneously
  simplified techniques
• Emphasised function of fascia in all its forms
  and uses light touch to assist and follow the
  body into its self regulating mechanisms.

16
Dr. Upledger
Mid-1970s first practitioner to teach Cranio
Sacral to non Osteopaths. Controversial in the
Osteopathic Profession. Explored primary
respiratory motion. During a spinal surgical
operation he held aside a part of the dural
membrane system, while the surgeon attempted to
remove a calcium growth. To his embarrassment,
Dr Upledger was unable to keep a firm hold on the
membrane, as it kept rhythmically moving under
his fingers. The Upledger took a post-graduate
course in cranial osteopathy.
17
Craniosacral Therapy

• Based on the theory that a cranial rhythm exists
  and is linked with movements in the sacrum
  through mechanical forces transmitted through the
  dura of the spinal cord.
• Remove impediments to the flow of cerebrospinal
  fluid within the cranium and spinal cord

18
How does it work?

• Works to assist bodys self-correcting mechanism
• Rx- following rhythm and encouraging the bones to
  align using very little pressure
• Provides outside stimulus to assist bodys
  natural ability to regulate cranial rhythm and
  the balance of the bones

19
Techniques

• Examples of Upledger Cranio-Sacral holds
• Pressure of a Dime
• Feeling the involuntary respiratory mechanism

20
Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

• Increase sense of relaxation
• Improve symptoms
• Change behavioral patterns
• Greater capacity to manage life in general
• Better management of specific disease symptoms
• Reduces stress
• Improvement of psychological issues
• Reduction of effects of past trauma
• Improved sense of well-being

21
Scientific Proof

• Rhythm of Oscillations a Physics approach to the
  Cranial mechanism
• Opening and closing theory of the Cranial bones
• The Breathe of Life (Sutherland)
• Cerebro Spinal Fluid
• Anectodal Evidence
• We know that light touch has a positive influence
  (Harvard Conferences, Reiki, Therapeutic Touch,
  Massage Therapy, Osteopathy)

22
Who can Benefit ?

• Beneficial therapy for those of any age, seems to
  be especially beneficial for children

23
Work Cited

• Gardica, M. CranioSacral Therapy. New Dimension
  Therapies, http//www3.telus.net retrieved
  11/10/05
• Bianco, T. (2005). Craniosacral therapy. Spine
  Universe, http//www.spineuniverse.com retrieved
  11/10/05
• Irish Association of Cranial Therapists History
  of Cranio-Sacral
• Barnetson, B. (Summer 2005). CranioSacral Therapy
  and Balance Helping Children Focus in School.
  Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, 16-17.
• Liptak, G. S., (April 2005). Complementary and
  Alternative Therapies for Cerebral Palsy. Mental
  Retardation and Development Disabilities, 11
  156-163.
• Ulrich, C. ( Spring/Summer 2005). Expanding
  Little Minds Craniosacral therapy helps
  youngsters thrive. Massage and Body Works,
  16-19.
• Vanderbilt, S. ( October/November 2005). Synergy
  of Minds Dolphin-Assisted Craniosacral Therapy.
  Massage and Body Work, 30-38.