Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial Osteopathy
What is the difference between Craniosacral Therapy and Cranial Osteopathy?
Cranial Osteopathy is an anatomically grounded, structural treatment of the whole person. Cranial Osteopathy involves treatment of the cranium, the sacrum and everything in the body on a structural level, connective tissue level, and a fluid level.
Craniosacral therapy addresses movement of fluid and energy at the cranium and sacrum and sometimes through the body. It is a subset of Cranial Osteopathy and is a simplified approach to a complicated system. Craniosacral therapy is done by a large variety of practitioners with varying amounts of education and experience. Since Craniosacral is taught to practitioners without Osteopathic training, and without comprehensive structural training, it tends to be less helpful in addressing the underlying cause of dis-ease. It is also important to understand the cranial sacral system in relation to all other systems of the body and how the function as a dynamic whole. While Craniosacral therapists are able to help many patients, it is important to understand the limitations of this discipline.
Do you do Craniosacral therapy?
Many or perhaps most of my patients refer to the work I do as Craniosacral Therapy. Technically the work I do is called Osteopathy in the Cranial Field. Oftentimes the term Craniosacral therapy is informally used when referring to Cranial Osteopathy, because it is a handy, descriptive term. There is a difference between the two. Essentially Cranial Osteopathy is part of an overall Osteopathic treatment and is applying Osteopathic principles to the cranial and sacral systems of the body. Craniosacral has become its own treatment modality separate from Osteopathy with practitioners of varying educational backgrounds.
Cranial Osteopathy is an anatomically grounded, structural treatment of the whole person. Cranial Osteopathy involves treatment of the cranium, the sacrum and everything in the body on a structural level, connective tissue level, and a fluid level.
Craniosacral therapy addresses movement of fluid and energy at the cranium and sacrum and sometimes through the body. It is a subset of Cranial Osteopathy and is a simplified approach to a complicated system. Craniosacral therapy is done by a large variety of practitioners with varying amounts of education and experience. Since Craniosacral is taught to practitioners without Osteopathic training, and without comprehensive structural training, it tends to be less helpful in addressing the underlying cause of dis-ease. It is also important to understand the cranial sacral system in relation to all other systems of the body and how the function as a dynamic whole. While Craniosacral therapists are able to help many patients, it is important to understand the limitations of this discipline.
Do you do Craniosacral therapy?
Many or perhaps most of my patients refer to the work I do as Craniosacral Therapy. Technically the work I do is called Osteopathy in the Cranial Field. Oftentimes the term Craniosacral therapy is informally used when referring to Cranial Osteopathy, because it is a handy, descriptive term. There is a difference between the two. Essentially Cranial Osteopathy is part of an overall Osteopathic treatment and is applying Osteopathic principles to the cranial and sacral systems of the body. Craniosacral has become its own treatment modality separate from Osteopathy with practitioners of varying educational backgrounds.
 “Osteopathy is to me a very sacred science. It is sacred because it is a healing power through all nature.”
- Andrew T. Still, Osteopathy, Research and Practice, 1910
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Osteopathy recognizes the important link between the structure of the body and how it functions. The practice is based on an extensive understanding of anatomy and physiology and we look at your whole body when we treat you. This includes the:
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Osteopathy focuses on how ALL of these work together as a dynamic unit. As osteopathy treats and sees the body as a whole, a wide range of conditions can benefit from this treatment. Treatments may be preventative, curative, or palliative depending on the case and condition. It is a complete system of health care and because of the gentle application of this therapy, it can benefit people of all ages with many conditions.
For those who have heard of Cranial Sacral Therapy, this is also Osteopathy, however its focus is solely on the cranium and sacrum. It was developed by an Osteopath, and because of its therapeutic benefits became its own branch of therapy. An Osteopathic Manual Practitioner also practices Cranial Sacral Therapy, but it is included in their overall Osteopathic treatment of the whole body. |
“I want it understood that I look upon the treating of effects as being as unwarranted as it would be for the fireman of a city to fight the smoke and pay no attention to the cause that produces it.”
-A.T. Still, Osteopathy Research and Practice, 1910
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Osteopathy is based on four fundamental principles:
- The body is a dynamic unit of function (mind, body, spirit)
- The body is self-healing, self-maintaining, & self-regulating
- Structure (anatomy), and function (physiology) are interrelated on all levels
- Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function
