A Brief History of Craniosacral Therapy

A B R I E F H I S TO RY OF CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY Michael Kern Craniosacral Therapy Educational Trust

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MICHAEL KERN

MICHAEL KERN

HISTORY A Brief of

Craniosacral Therapy Craniosacral Therapy has its roots in the work of American osteopath William Garner Sutherland, who lived from 1873 to 1954. Sutherland worked under the founder of osteopathy Andrew Taylor Still and has a rich body of work spanning more than half a century.

Field Expansion

Therapy was developed from the 1980s by

Some of Sutherland’s former students began

Franklyn Sills and other teachers in the UK and

to expand the field, and from the 1970s some

is now taught all over the world. The emphasis

of this work was being taught to non-osteopa-

in this approach is to work with underlying

ths. A ‘biodynamic’ approach of Craniosacral

forces that govern our health.

MICHAEL KERN

Dr Sutherland discovered a number of subtle rhythms that get expressed through the body. As long as these rhythms are able to express in fullness and balance, a state of health will follow.

Primary Respiration Dr Sutherland discovered a number of subtle rhythms that get expressed through the body. As long as these rhythms are able to express in fullness and balance, a state of health will follow. However, stresses, strains or traumas may influence these rhythmic motions and create places of inertia, holding or restriction. This is considered to be a major precursor to the development of disease and pathology. The aim of the practitioner is to restore the natural expression of these subtle rhythms using light touch skills.

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MICHAEL KERN

You can learn more about how Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy is being used by visiting the blog of former osteopathy teacher Michael Kern.