FORUM FOR
CRANIAL PRACTITIONERS
Draft amended following meeting 19th February 2002 – working
document
The Cranial system is a core system in the human body,
where body, mind and spirit reside independently and communally.
Cranial Therapies are hands-on therapeutic approaches for normalising the functioning of the Cranial mechanism and reflected imbalances in the body tissues. They are processes of examination and treatment that encourage the expression of health in the whole system. The processes respect and reflect the ultimate power and authority of clients and their innate self-healing mechanisms.
The
Forum for Cranial Practitioners proposes that the following requirements should
be a minimum standard for all practitioners using Cranial Skills.
·
A
general knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, as well as that which
is specifically applicable to cranial therapies.
·
An
understanding of the theoretical foundations, and historical perspectives of
cranial therapies.
·
An
appreciation of the birth process and the development processes of infants
·
An
appreciation of the effect in adults of their birth processes and subsequent
biological processes.
·
An
understanding of clinical implications and basic pharmacology.
·
An
awareness of the principles of conventional healthcare
·
An
awareness of other complementary and alternative therapies and how they are
practised.
·
An
awareness of potential contra-indications and limitations in relation to
cranial therapies
·
An
understanding of the principles, possibilities and limitations of clinical
research.
·
clinical
skills in relation to the core system.
·
awareness
of the clients therapeutic process
·
listening
and communication skills
·
perceiving
health as an active principle
·
palpation
skills
·
responding
to physiological presentation of shock, emotional and/or physical trauma
·
locating
and recognising areas of functional imbalance and/or resistance, and
facilitating the client’s innate self-healing mechanism
·
palpating
the different rhythms of the Cranial mechanism
·
understanding
the client’s potential to achieve health within their core system
·
facilitating
therapeutic stillness
·
facilitating
the integration of therapeutic changes which may have occurred during treatment
·
recognising
the completion of an individual’s therapeutic process and leaving them grounded
and balanced.
·
·
The
motility and mobility of cranial sutures and cranial bony structures including
facial structures. Physiological and dysfunctional patterns, ranges of rhythm,
texture and temperature
·
The
involuntary motion of the sacrum
·
Fluctuation
of cerebrospinal fluid and appreciation of its potency and quality
·
The
reciprocal tension membrane system
·
The
central nervous system
·
Appreciation
of the neuro-immuno-endocrine mechanisms and relationships
·
Whole
body dynamics, including fascia, membranes, joints and movements
·
The
viscera
·
The
human energy field
·
Introduction
to cranial skills related to the birth process and the development processes of
infants
·
Introduction
to cranial skills related to the effects in adults of their birth processes and
subsequent biological processes.
·
Related
to:
o The provision and
maintenance of a safe and professional clinical environment
o Establishing a Professional
Relationship with clients
o Client/Patient Case
Histories and other essential record keeping
o Listening Skills
o Financial Recording
o Time Management
o Marketing
o Managing one’s own
Professional Life
o Legal Aspects of Practice
including Health and Safety
o Appropriate referral to
other CAM or orthodox practitioners
·
Following
the Guidance and Code of Ethics of their Professional Association
·
Practitioners
are required to have Adequate Professional Indemnity and Malpractice Insurance
cover and an up-to-date First Aid Certificate
These are
set out by individual member organisations from which detailed prospectuses can
be obtained. Within the group there are courses to suit all levels of previous
experience and offering different modes of attendance.
All member organisations recognise CPD as a requirement and demand evidence of completion of relevant studies as a qualification for continued registration. In order to meet the needs of individual students member organisations offer a range of Supervisory and Mentoring Schemes, and Advanced Training opportunities.