History of Craniosacral Therapy

In the 1930s, an osteopath by the name of William Sutherland (1873-1954) founded the field of Cranial Osteopathy. He noticed the importance of cranial (the head) bone mobility as well as the effects that restrictions in this area had through the whole body. By the 1940s, Sutherland had established specialized training in this area at The American School of Osteopathy.

Dr. John Upledger, an osteopathic physician, was a researcher at Michigan State University in the 1970s. He was involved in a number of scientific studies in the area of Cranio-Osteopathy, bringing together a team of researchers with the objective of proving or disproving the movement of the cranial bones. Optical and electron microscopy showed the existence of blood vessels, nerve fibres, collagen and elastic fibres (and therefore movement!), within the cranial sutures.

As a result of his research and practice, he established the field of Craniosacral Therapy. He developed training in Craniosacral Therapy for osteopaths, medical doctors, doctors of chiropractic, doctors of Oriental medicine, naturopathic physicians, psychiatric specialists, psychologists, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists and other professional bodyworkers.