The background of Cranial Sacral Osteopathy

Cranio Sacral Osteopathy (CSO) is one part of osteopathic medicine which itself includes three parts: parietal osteopathy (for the musculo-skeletal system), visceral osteopathy (for the internal organs), and craniosacral osteopathy (for the nervous system)

Background to the type of therapy

The central nervous system (CNS) of brain and spinal cord lies in the brain fluid. Together with the brain fluid the CNS has a non-autonomous rhythmic and pulsating movement. This motion transmits itself to the meninges, the individual skull bones, the vertebral column and sacrum, and finally to the whole body.

Origin

CSO was established around 1920 by the osteopath doctor William G. Sutherland (Missouri, USA). Only since the 1950s has it also been known in the German Language as craniosacral therapy. Now, it is one of the most commonly used forms of complementary medicine therapy. 

Effects on the body

The rhythmic motion of brain and brain fluid– the craniosacral rhythm- that is distinctly slower than breathing, is often compared with the tidal movements ebb and flow, which are one of water‘s specific rhythmic movements . After much experience and practice this movement can be felt by the hands of the practicing osteopath. A powerful and regular CS rhythm is a concrete expression of the quality of our self-healing powers.