of
Osteopathy in the Cranial Field
Founder of Osteopathy
What is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and how did it start?
Craniosacral Therapy or Cranio for short, evolved from Osteopathy.
Originally called Osteopathy in the Cranial Field, William Garner Sutherland who studied with Andrew Taylor Still evolved the practice of Osteo.
When Osteopathy’s founder Andrew Taylor Still’s three children died from Spinal meningitis he naturally encountered heartache and grief.
Andrew T. Still wanted to find a way to remedy such health issues through Osteopathy. But he was met with resistance from mainstream medicine.
It was thanks to his wife who supported him and helped him to keep going.
Andrew Still brought back to health many injured and sick clients without the need for intensive drugs or surgery both of which were common.
After 18 years of practice Andrew Still began teaching and opened a school of Osteopathy in 1892 in Kirksville, Missouri, USA.
It was Dr. William Garner Sutherland who was the originator of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field, which today is known as Craniosacral Therapy.
William studied with Andrew in Missouri and devotedly tested his theories on his own cranium (skull), using ingenious and outlandish devices. His theory was that the cranium bones maintain mobility (moving towards each other) and motility (moving from within) even in adult years. Which mainstream medicine does not acknowledge.
This ability of the bones to move was based on his observations and a growing awareness of the bodies intelligence. He found that the bones respond to the movement of fluids, namely the cerebral spinal fluid which is produced within the ventricles of the brain and provides a rhythmic balanced interchange throughout the body, and is in direct correlation with the bodies health.
One of the primary focusses of Craniosacral Therapy is a focus on the near mythic nature of the sphenoid which rests within the centre of the skull and touches every other bone in the head.
Within the Sphenoid rests the pituitary gland which rocks inside the Sella turcica (Turkish Saddle).
The pituitary is beneath the hypothalamus.
Healthy movement of the Sphenoid causes a rocking rhythmic movement of the pituitary gland and supports the secretion of hormones required for healthy functioning of the immune system.
So in craniosacral therapy, we support this healthy movement of fluids and in particular this area of the sphenoid in the skull which supports a holistic shift in health across all systems.
Inclusive of emotional wellbeing and physical health.
I am so grateful for such a wonderful wisdom imparted by these amazing beings!
Here’s to the health and wellbeing of all living beings!