Queen Camel, Somerset: 12 & 13 July 2025 (Part 2)

Ash, Surrey: 29 & 30 October (Part 1)

Course Content

These two courses (Parts 1 & 2) are designed for manual therapists of any discipline. The two-day seminars will give an overview of the principles and practice behind Craniosacral Therapy, focusing on a traditional Biodynamic approach that developed from the founder of Cranial Osteopathy, Dr William Sutherland. This particular approach is very non-invasive and relies on sensitive palpation of the tissues and cranial rhythms – something which can be a very useful skill for all kinds of manual therapist. Part 1 can be taken on its own.

Outline of Course (Part 1):

Welcome and introductions

Settling exercise - an understanding of the importance of practitioner fulcrums and being present for your client (PRACTICAL)

Developing the kind of sensitive touch as used in Craniosacral therapy (PRACTICAL)

Overview of the history and development of Craniosacral therapy and Cranial Osteopathy

Explanations of the 3 major ‘tides’ that can be felt throughout the body

Palpation of the Cranial Rhythmic Impulse at the sacrum (PRACTICAL)

Trust & safety in the therapeutic setting - negotiation of touch (PRACTICAL)

Trauma - what it is and how to work with it both from the Craniosacral perspective and with Bowen

Stillpoints - what they are and how to feel them and encourage them. An explanation of CV4 and EV4

Stillpoints at the occiput (PRACTICAL)

Explanation of the Mid-tide and potency

Palpation of the mid-tide at the head (PRACTICAL)

An overview of the ‘Social Nervous System’ the vagus and the polyvagal theory

An overview of various Craniosacral holds (PRACTICAL)

Transverse relationships in the body and how to palpate them

Palpation of the diaphragm (PRACTICAL)

Palpation of the atlas, axis and occiput (PRACTICAL)

Understanding dural tube connections between the sacrum and the neck and occiput

Palpation at the lumbar and thoracic spine (PRACTICAL)

Assessing levels of vitality with clients through palpation of cranial rhythms (PRACTICAL)

Presentation on the temporal bones and palpation of them (PRACTICAL)

Palpation of individual joints - knees and shoulders (PRACTICAL)

Palpation at the feet (PRACTICAL)

Explanation of the Long Tide in relation to fascia

Palpation of superficial and deep fascial layers (PRACTICAL)

Overview of the Cranial nerves and how they can be affected by nerve entrapment in the cranium and neck. A discussion of potential symptoms and what Bowen procedures could be used.

Discussion of treatment strategies as a result of palpation felt (PRACTICAL)

Integrate palpations and assessment into a treatment plan (PRACTICAL)

Outline of Course (Part 2)

Day 1:

Question and answer session around students experiences of using the hand holds from part 1

Differentiating what you feel under your hands

A review of the principles and handholds outlined in part one – cradle hold and temporals

Work around the TMJ

Review of frontal dynamics with the addition of zygoma and maxilla

Practitioner fulcrums and being present for your client

An exploration of trust & safety in the therapeutic setting and why this is important- negotiation of touch

Intraosseous patterns explored and how to work with them

Work at the sacrum with the addition of the pelvic hold

Working with organs

Day 2:

Trauma - what it is and how to work within the ‘window of tolerance’

More detailed work at joints and palpating whole body patterns from the feet

More detailed palpation of the atlas, axis and occiput with a focus on the vagus and how the neck is affected by birth patterns.

Energetic work at the umbilicus

Intra and inter-osseous patterns at the SBJ

A look at techniques such as ‘v-spreads’, direction of fluids, and venous sinuses drainage

Accessing the dura via the frontal-occiput hold

Palpation at the lumbar and thoracic spine with a particular focus on the function of the Psoas

Overview of the Cranial nerves and how they can be affected by nerve entrapment in the cranium and neck. A discussion of potential symptoms and what manual approaches could be used.

Further exploration of stillpoints - what they are and how to feel them and encourage them.

An explanation of CV4 and EV4 by holding the sacrum and occiput side-lying

Integrate palpations and assessment into a treatment plan whatever your modality

FEEDBACK FROM EDINBURGH COURSE PARTICIPANTS DEC 2019:

The emphasis on practical work took my experience of gentle palpation and of sensing/feeling what was going on with the client's body, where areas of tension might be, to a deeper level than I have ever felt before. Massively helpful when it comes to assessing clients, finding areas that are tight, or blocked or, conversely, fluid and relaxed.

Overall, more than I have expected. Literally amazing experience. So powerful….it was so magical, yes indeed. Very nice and I am already looking forward to implementing this to my practice, especially that I have now a client with ME and migraines.

Thank you very much, for this mind-blow. I feel I have experienced something very profound, the great approach and modality. My whole self is happy I took part in it.

Loved the journey - good content great knowledge imparted with compassion and intelligence and wit

I found your holding space so very supportive