In the early 1900’s, Dr William Sutherland, was a student of Dr Andrew T Still in Kirksville, Missouri. (Aside: For those readers who are hearing the name Andrew T. Still for the first time, he was the founder of Osteopathy.) Dr. William Sutherland observed the bones of the skull and their points of interconnection – the sutures- noticing their unique design to allow for slight movement in relationship to one another. This was originally considered a radical idea that contradicted anatomy texts and medical beliefs of the time -which incorrectly taught the supposition that all skull bones fuse together without any movement. Since that time, and due largely to Dr Sutherland’s’ life long research in Cranial Osteopathy; it is now accepted that there are slight fluctuations of movement within the bones of the cranium.
In comparison, CranioSacral Therapy originated from Dr Upledger during surgery in the 1970’s when he observed a rhythmic fluctuation of the dura membrane and meninges during surgery. Years of further study led to Dr Upledgers theory that there is a semi closed hydraulic system inside the membranous sac which circulates from the cranium, down the spinal column until to the sacrum. Building on Dr Sutherlands techniques, Upledger gathered teams of researchers to dive into understanding the craniosacral system and study its implications on numerous health conditions. Dr Upledger created the Upledger Institute which furthers education and research.
-Alinear Osteopathy Osteopathyhttps://alinearosteopathy.com/the-difference-between-craniosacral-therapy-and-cranial-osteopathy/