Craniosacral Therapy has its roots in the osteopathic tradition and has evolved over more than a century through clinical observation, therapeutic practice, and developments in neuroscience and holistic health.
The story begins with Dr Andrew Taylor Still, who founded osteopathy in the United States in the late 1800s. A physician and visionary, Still emphasised the body’s inherent ability to self-regulate and heal when given the right conditions. His approach focused on the relationship between the structure and function of the body, and he believed that true health could only be achieved by treating the whole person — not just isolated symptoms.
Still’s philosophy was shaped in part by his early life experiences. Growing up in frontier Missouri, he had close contact with Shawnee and other Native American communities, through his father’s missionary and medical work. While there is no direct link between Craniosacral Therapy and Native American techniques, it is believed that these interactions exposed Still to indigenous healing philosophies — particularly the idea of working with the body’s natural rhythms, the interconnectedness of body and spirit, and the importance of listening and stillness in healing. These values would deeply influence his later development of osteopathy.
One of Still’s students, Dr William Garner Sutherland, made a pioneering discovery in the early 20th century. He observed that the bones of the skull are not rigidly fixed, but designed to allow for subtle, rhythmic motion. Through years of study and clinical practice, he developed a system known as Cranial Osteopathy, which worked with what he termed the Primary Respiratory Mechanism — a gentle, wave-like motion present throughout the body, deeply connected to the nervous system and overall health.
In the 1970s, Dr John E. Upledger, an osteopathic physician, brought this work into a more accessible, hands-on therapeutic approach now known as Craniosacral Therapy (CST). While assisting during spinal surgery, Upledger observed subtle pulsing in the membranes surrounding the spinal cord. Unable to explain it through conventional medical models, he began exploring and refining techniques to work with this motion.
Upledger developed CST as a gentle, non-invasive therapy that could be practised by trained professionals from a range of backgrounds. He founded the Upledger Institute in 1985, which became a global hub for training and research. His work helped CST gain international recognition and integrate into complementary health settings around the world.
In the 1990s, Franklyn Sills, a British practitioner and teacher, further deepened the work by introducing the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy approach. Drawing on Sutherland’s later insights, Sills emphasised the “Breath of Life” as a primary ordering force in health and healing. His biodynamic approach focuses less on mechanical techniques and more on attunement, stillness, and the body’s inherent intelligence.
Through his teaching at the Karuna Institute in Devon and his influential writings (Craniosacral Biodynamics, among others), Sills brought a meditative, trauma-informed, and relational depth to CST. His work helped shape a generation of practitioners who prioritise listening, presence, and non-doing as central principles of healing.
Craniosacral Therapy has continued to evolve, informed by developments in neuroscience, trauma studies, and biodynamic practices. It is now practised across the globe and used to support a wide range of physical, emotional, and developmental needs. In Ireland, CST has grown steadily through the work of dedicated therapists and schools, offering a supportive and restorative therapy for people of all ages.
At its heart, CST remains true to the vision of its founders: a therapy rooted in respect for the body’s intelligence, and the quiet power of gentle, informed touch.
