Craniosacral Therapy Certificate Course (4 CE)

Explore the history of craniosacral therapy from Dr. Andrew Taylor Still's osteopathy roots to Dr. William Garner Sutherland's discovery of the primary respiratory mechanism and Dr. John E. Upledger's expansion.

Explore the five tenets of craniosacral therapy, including innate healing intelligence, the craniosacral rhythm, holistic mind-body-spirit alignment, and a gentle non-forceful approach that supports the body's self-regulation and restoration.

Explore the four main craniosacral therapy approaches—the classical Upledger method, biodynamic, biomechanical, and integrative—each with distinct techniques, healing philosophies, and applications for stress, trauma, headaches, and musculoskeletal issues.

Explore the craniosacral system’s micro-movements and sutures, detailing occiput, sphenoid, temporal, parietal, and frontal bones, the sacrum, and their influence on the vagus nerve and hormonal balance.

Explore the three meninges and the dural system that links skull to sacrum, and how cerebrospinal fluid rhythm supports nervous system health and self-healing.

Explore cerebrospinal fluid, a clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and its production, circulation, and absorption that support protection, buoyancy, homeostasis, and signaling in craniosacral therapy.

Explore the ventricular system, cerebrospinal fluid flow, and how craniosacral therapy detects restrictions to restore mobility and calm the nervous system through techniques like still point induction and ventricular hold.

Explore how fascia connects skull, spine, and sacrum, guiding craniosacral rhythm and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics; release fascial restrictions to balance the autonomic nervous system, relieve pain, and support somatoemotional release.

Identify craniosacral rhythm, 6–12 cycles per minute produced by cerebrospinal fluid circulation, palpated at cranium, sacrum, and extremities, and balance it with techniques to support parasympathetic regulation and deep relaxation.

Explore cranial strain patterns during flexion and extension by palpating the sphenoid and oxfoot, using volt hold and shadow hands to reveal normal and exaggerated motions.

Explain the side bending rotation physiologic strain pattern in craniosacral therapy, where the sphenoid and occiput rotate oppositely with a small side-bending component, creating a convex, opening side.

Torsion strain in craniosacral therapy twists the occiput and sphenoid around the anterior-posterior axis, producing right or left torsion determined by which greater wing moves superiorly, with intact sphenobasilar motion.

Describe lateral strain at the sphenobasilar symphysis as a side-to-side shear and rotation of the sphenoid and occiput, with base shifts right or left indicating right or left lateral strain.

Explore superior and inferior vertical strains by noting sphenoid and occiput rotation around a transverse axis, with the sphenoid base moving superiorly or inferiorly and wrists moving up or down.

Identify compression as the final pathologic strain pattern with restricted motion at the sphenobasilar symphysis in all directions, and a heavy, stagnant, nearly motionless skull under the hands.

Learn the vault hold to sense the craniosacral rhythm and apply the direct technique, meeting the restriction with gentle contact without forcing to release barriers and restore flexion and extension.

Use indirect technique to move away from the bind toward the tissues' preferred direction, finding a position of ease near the skull and holding until release, warmth and unwinding occur.

Demonstrate the exaggeration technique in craniosacral therapy by amplifying a position of ease on the restricted right side and guiding the right temporal and occipital areas inward.

Practice disengagement to decompress and separate fixated cranial sutures, freeing the parietal and temporal bones on the right to normalize cerebrospinal fluid fluctuation and membrane motion.

Explore how inherent force, the breath of life concept of Sutherland, drives the craniosacral self-healing energy through listening and supporting the primary respiratory mechanism, with the therapist as facilitator.

Utilize respiratory assistance to synchronize with the client's breathing, enhancing the craniosacral rhythm by guiding inhalation into flexion and exhalation into extension, releasing restrictions and improving cerebrospinal fluid fluctuation.

Distal activation uses distant body regions to influence the treatment area, treating the body as a continuous fascial and fluid system, with dorsiflexion or plantarflexion affecting the SBS.

Explore the still point, a pause in the craniosacral rhythm from CV4. Holding the occipital region guides CSF quiet and shifts autonomic balance toward parasympathetic rest, repair, and self healing.

Explore indications such as chronic pain, headaches, stress and concussion recovery, pediatric developmental support, and post-stroke care, alongside contraindications like acute intracranial pathology and recent head trauma.

Learn to tune in to the craniosacral rhythm through listening stations from feet to head, evaluating global vitality, symmetry, and timing as the initial treatment evaluation.

Learn to guide a pelvic diaphragm release by tracking the craniosacral rhythm, noting asymmetry, and mirroring gentle motion to support self-correction and a freer, balanced pelvis.

Place one hand under the back along the lower ribs and the other on the anterior lower ribs to guide the respiratory diaphragm release, mirroring craniosacral rhythm without imposing force.

Place one hand on the back and one on the chest to assess tissue tone, breathe with the client, and respect asymmetry while following craniosacral rhythm of the thoracic inlet.

Demonstrate the cranial vault hold with a head-of-table fulcrum, cradle the head with full palmar contact, and palpate the craniosacral rhythm to assess amplitude, rate, and symmetry.

Discover the fronto-occipital hold for craniosacral therapy, palpating the occipital squama and greater wings of the sphenoid to assess craniosacral rhythm and synchronization, then apply a chosen technique with patience.

Perform occipitoatlantal decompression in craniosacral therapy to release restrictions between the occiput and atlas C1, improving cerebrospinal fluid flow and relieving neural tension for balanced craniosacral motion.

Perform the CV4 compression of the fourth ventricle to elicit a still point and restore normal motion in the occipital region, supporting the body's natural healing through craniosacral rhythm.

The v-spread technique restores freedom of movement at the sagittal suture, increases drainage of the superior sagittal sinus, and expands the cranio-sacral rhythm to ease headaches and post-concussion symptoms.

Direct cerebrospinal fluid fluctuation with light touch to balance membranous tension and release cranial sutures, improving cerebrospinal fluid motion.

Apply five venous sinus drainage techniques—transverse, confluence, occipital, superior sagittal, and metopic—to release dura tension and balance brain blood flow, holding and retesting to assess effectiveness.

Master temporal rocking to correct temporal bone misalignment and rebalance the craniosacral rhythm, addressing ear pressure, jaw tension, dizziness, and headaches.

Perform frontal lift to decompress and balance the frontal bone, disengaging it from the parietals with medial compression and upward traction. Reassess for forehead tension relief and cranial balance.

Practice parietal lift to restore movement between parietal bones and sutures, using assessment and traction techniques to improve cranial circulation and relieve head pressure and headaches.

Promote free, symmetrical sacral motion with the cranial rhythmic impulse using the sacral glide, cradling the sacrum and establishing a fulcrum for release and lower-back balance.

Perform the TMJ mandibular hold to relax jaw muscles and balance the craniosacral rhythm and cranial rhythmic impulse, using bilateral palm contact to ease TMJ strain and improve function.

Learn craniosacral therapy techniques, including listening stations, cranial vault holds, parietal lift, and CV4, to assess asymmetries, rebalance the craniosacral rhythm, and support nervous system regulation.