Introduction & Introduction & History of History of

Cranio Sacral Cranio Sacral TherapyTherapy

By: Dr. Leena S. GupthaBy: Dr. Leena S. Guptha

Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives• Introduce Cranio Sacral at the under Introduce Cranio Sacral at the under

graduate level (14 weeks, history, anatomy, graduate level (14 weeks, history, anatomy, techniques)techniques)

• An exploration into a different aspect of An exploration into a different aspect of Osteopathic Medicine Osteopathic Medicine

• Opportunity to practice in the clinic and Opportunity to practice in the clinic and develop palpation skills and use of intention develop palpation skills and use of intention (light pressure, hair and yellow pages)(light pressure, hair and yellow pages)

• Consider taking future Continued Consider taking future Continued Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

DR. ANDREW TAYLOR STILL DR. ANDREW TAYLOR STILL (1828-1917)(1828-1917)

"...the "...the cerebrospinal fluid cerebrospinal fluid is one is one of the highest known elements of the highest known elements that are contained in the body, that are contained in the body, and unless the brain furnishes and unless the brain furnishes this fluid in abundance, a disabled this fluid in abundance, a disabled condition of the body will remain."condition of the body will remain."

Dr. Still said:Dr. Still said:

"He who is able to reason will see "He who is able to reason will see that this great river of life (that this great river of life (the the cerebrospinal fluid)cerebrospinal fluid) must be must be tapped and the withering field tapped and the withering field irrigated at once, or the harvest irrigated at once, or the harvest of health be forever lost."of health be forever lost."

DR. WILLIAM GARNER DR. WILLIAM GARNER SUTHERLAND (1873-1954)SUTHERLAND (1873-1954)

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

EARLY BEGINNINGSEARLY BEGINNINGS

William Garner Sutherland

Final-year student Kirksville, MO

Disarticulated bones in a cabinet

Taught that adult cranial bones do not movebecause their sutures become fused

Structure governs/follows function.

““Like The Gills of A Fish”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)

Cranial MovementCranial MovementExperimentation - 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)

Historical AcceptanceHistorical AcceptanceWestern 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 1900’s 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).

Tissue BreathingTissue BreathingDr 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.

The Breath of LifeThe Breath of LifeThe 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.

Expressions of HealthExpressions of HealthThe 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.

Primary Respiratory Primary Respiratory MotionMotion

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

SPREAD OF THE WORK

• Taught Osteopaths (1930s–1954)• 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.

DR. HAROLD I MAGOUN Sr. DR. HAROLD I MAGOUN Sr. (1898-1981)(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.

DR. JOHN E. UPLEDGER DR. JOHN E. UPLEDGER (1932- October 26 2012)(1932- October 26 2012)

• Researched intricate Researched intricate details a yet details a yet simultaneously simplified simultaneously simplified techniques techniques

• Emphasised function of Emphasised function of fascia in all its forms and fascia in all its forms and uses light touch to assist uses light touch to assist and follow the body into and follow the body into its self regulating its self regulating mechanisms.mechanisms.

Dr. UpledgerDr. UpledgerMid-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.

Craniosacral TherapyCraniosacral Therapy

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

the flow of cerebrospinal the flow of cerebrospinal fluid within the cranium fluid within the cranium and spinal cordand spinal cord

How does it work? How does it work?

• Works to assist body’s Works to assist body’s self-correcting mechanismself-correcting mechanism

• Rx- following rhythm and Rx- following rhythm and encouraging the bones to encouraging the bones to align using very little align using very little pressurepressure

• Provides outside stimulus Provides outside stimulus to assist body’s natural to assist body’s natural ability to regulate cranial ability to regulate cranial rhythm and the balance of rhythm and the balance of the bonesthe bones

TechniquesTechniques

• Examples of Examples of Upledger Upledger Cranio-Cranio-Sacral holdsSacral holds

• Pressure of Pressure of a Dimea Dime

• Feeling the Feeling the involuntary involuntary respiratory respiratory mechanismmechanism

Benefits of Craniosacral Benefits of Craniosacral TherapyTherapy

• Increase sense of relaxationIncrease sense of relaxation• Improve symptomsImprove symptoms• Change behavioral patternsChange behavioral patterns• Greater capacity to manage life in general Greater capacity to manage life in general • Better management of specific disease Better management of specific disease

symptoms symptoms • Reduces stress Reduces stress • Improvement of psychological issues Improvement of psychological issues • Reduction of effects of past trauma Reduction of effects of past trauma • Improved sense of well-being Improved sense of well-being

Scientific ProofScientific Proof• Rhythm of Oscillations a Physics approach to Rhythm of Oscillations a Physics approach to

the Cranial mechanismthe Cranial mechanism• Opening and closing theory of the Cranial Opening and closing theory of the Cranial

bonesbones• The Breathe of Life (Sutherland)The Breathe of Life (Sutherland)• Cerebro Spinal FluidCerebro Spinal Fluid• Anectodal EvidenceAnectodal Evidence• We know that light touch has a positive We know that light touch has a positive

influence (Harvard Conferences, Reiki, influence (Harvard Conferences, Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, Massage Therapy, Therapeutic Touch, Massage Therapy, Osteopathy)Osteopathy)

Who can Benefit ?Who can Benefit ?

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

Work CitedWork Cited• Gardica, M. CranioSacral Therapy. Gardica, M. CranioSacral Therapy. New Dimension TherapiesNew Dimension Therapies, ,

http://www3.telus.net retrieved 11/10/05http://www3.telus.net retrieved 11/10/05• Bianco, T. (2005). Craniosacral therapy. Bianco, T. (2005). Craniosacral therapy. Spine Universe, Spine Universe,

http://www.spineuniverse.com retrieved 11/10/05 retrieved 11/10/05• Irish Association of Cranial Therapists: Irish Association of Cranial Therapists: History of Cranio-Sacral’History of Cranio-Sacral’• Barnetson, B. (Summer 2005). CranioSacral Therapy and Balance: Barnetson, B. (Summer 2005). CranioSacral Therapy and Balance: Helping Helping

Children Focus in School. Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, Children Focus in School. Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, 16-1716-17..• Liptak, G. S., (April 2005). Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Liptak, G. S., (April 2005). Complementary and Alternative Therapies for

Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy. Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities, Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities, 11: 156-11: 156-163163..

• Ulrich, C. ( Spring/Summer 2005). Expanding Little Minds: Craniosacral therapy helps youngsters thrive. Massage and Body WorksMassage and Body Works, 16-19.

• Vanderbilt, S. ( October/November 2005). Synergy of Minds: Dolphin-Assisted Vanderbilt, S. ( October/November 2005). Synergy of Minds: Dolphin-Assisted Craniosacral Therapy. Craniosacral Therapy. Massage and Body WorkMassage and Body Work, 30-38. , 30-38.