The concept of cranial motion was noted in many Asian medical systems for decades, like acupuncture and Ayurveda, which recognized bodily movements from the vital flow or life energy. Italian and Russian anatomists believed adult cranial sutures don't fully fuse, allowing slight lifelong motion. India, ancient Egyptians, and Paracas people practised cranial manipulation historically. Emanuel Swedenborg in the 18th century observed rhythmic brain motion cycles.
The craniosacral system began to gain significant attention in most Western countries only in the 20th century.
Craniosacral therapy traces its origins back to the early 1900s when an osteopath named William Sutherland began exploring the cranial bones' subtle movements. Sutherland's discoveries challenged the conventional medical understanding at the time, which considered the skull bones to be fixed and immovable.
He hypothesized that the cranial bones exhibited a rhythmic motion, which he termed the "primary respiratory mechanism."
Sutherland's work influenced John Upledger, an osteopathic physician, who developed his own form of craniosacral therapy. Upledger's teachings focused on the craniosacral system's role in maintaining overall health and its potential to alleviate various health issues.
In the 1980s, a British osteopath named Franklyn Sills expanded upon Upledger's work and developed Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. Sills emphasized the biodynamic concepts introduced by William Garner Sutherland, who believed that the body possesses an inherent healing intelligence.
Sills characterized BCST as a relational and non-manipulative therapy.
Michael Kern worked closely with Franklin and they established the Craniosacral Therapy Educational Trust in London.
Practitioners of BCST undergo rigorous training to develop the skills necessary for perceiving the subtle movements and rhythms within the craniosacral system and effectively facilitating the body's inherent healing processes.
