Education
Some courses in Cranial Osteopathy are open only to licensed osteopathic physicians, medical doctors and dentists. The Cranial Academy, for example, teaches post-graduate level courses and training takes a minimum of five years for certification. Other trainings are open to a broader range of licensed health care practitioners including osteopaths, medical doctors, dentists, chiropractors, doctors of oriental medicine, naturopathic physicians, psychologists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists and other professional body workers. These include the Breath of Life training designed by Franklyn Sills in accordance with the curriculum of the Karuna Institute of England (www.craniosacral.co.uk/); Cranial Therapy and the Energetic Body taught by Roger Gilchrist (www.wellnessinstitute.net); and the Upledger Institute based on the work of John Upledger, DO (www.upledger.com). Courses vary in length and content as well as levels of certification offered.

Official Licensing Bodies
Cranial Therapy is practiced by health care professionals who are licensed in their field of practice as described above. There is no individual licensing body for cranial therapy. Certification is available through various educational bodies offering programs that vary considerably in length and comprehensiveness (see above).

References:

Becker R. Life in Motion. Rudra Press, 1997.

Jealous J. “Jim Jealous, DO. Healing and the natural world [interview by Bonnie Horrigan]”. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 3(1): 68-76, 1996.

Magoun HI. Osteopathy in the Cranial Field. The Osteopathic Cranial Association, 1951.

Sutherland WG. Teachings in the Science of Osteopathy. Rudra Press, 1990.

Upledger JE and Vredevoogd JD. Craniosacral Therapy. Eastland Press, 1983.

Content last modified on Sep 4, 2003