About Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy (often abbreviated CST) is a gentle, hands-on manual therapy with roots in osteopathy. It aims to support the body’s natural ability to self-regulate by interacting with the craniosacral system – the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. CST is often used for relaxation, stress reduction, and to support overall wellbeing, and is practiced worldwide in a range of clinical and holistic settings.

What Is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy is a non-invasive manual therapy where practitioners use light touch (often less than 5 grams – about the weight of an Australian 10 cent coin) to evaluate and support the craniosacral system. This system includes the soft tissues, membranes, skull, spine, and the cerebrospinal fluid around the central nervous system. CST practitioners believe that subtle restrictions in this system can influence nervous system function and overall health, and that gently releasing these restrictions can help the body’s self-healing processes.

Unlike deep tissue massage, CST focuses less on muscles and more on the rhythm and mobility of the craniosacral system, with very light palpation rather than firm pressure.

A Brief History with Origins in Osteopathy

The origins of craniosacral work trace back to the osteopathic tradition of Dr Andrew Taylor Still in the late 19th century. Osteopathy emphasized the body’s inherent ability to heal itself and introduced the idea that skeletal structures could influence wellbeing. William Garner Sutherland, an osteopath in the early 1900s, pioneered what became known as cranial osteopathy, proposing that the bones of the skull moved slightly and that this movement could be palpated and influenced.

John E. Upledger and Modern CST

Craniosacral Therapy as it is known today was developed in the 1970s and 1980s by Dr John E. Upledger, an osteopathic physician and researcher. While assisting in surgery in 1975, Upledger observed rhythmic movements in the cranial structures that could not be explained by known breathing or cardiovascular rhythms. His curiosity led him to research this further at Michigan State University, where, with a multidisciplinary team, he worked to validate and clarify the craniosacral mechanism.

Upledger coined the term CranioSacral Therapy and founded the Upledger Institute International, which provides education and certification in CST and related manual therapies around the world.

Types and Approaches of Craniosacral Therapy

Today CST is practiced through a number of different schools and methodologies. All share a common heritage but vary slightly in philosophy or emphasis.

1. Upledger CranioSacral Therapy

This is the most widely known and taught form, developed by Upledger. It is structured, with progressive training levels and techniques that integrate subtle palpation with broader body assessment skills. Practitioners are trained through courses such as CS1, CS2, and advanced applications.

2. Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

Inspired by osteopathic and Upledger traditions, this approach emphasizes non-goal-oriented listening and perception of the body’s inherent rhythms. It often focuses more on the fluid dynamics around the nervous system rather than specific techniques.

3. Other Independent Styles

Over time, practitioners influenced by cranial osteopathy and CST have developed their own methods – some integrating somatic psychology, embryology, or trauma-informed work. Examples include Predictive Craniosacral work and variations that draw from body-mind approaches.