Osteopathic Physicians are frequently asked about the differences between Cranial Osteopathy and Cranio-Sacral Therapy™. Because this is often a confusing topic for the public, the Osteopathic Cranial Academy has clarified the differences by providing the information below.

Cranial Osteopathy is a medical treatment applied by licensed physicians who have completed a thorough osteopathic medical education and numerous years of additional training in this specialty. In the United States, only actively licensed physicians are permitted to diagnose and treat using Cranial Osteopathy.

Cranio-Sacral Therapy™ requires little to no medical background. A single 24 hour course provides a certificate.¹

	OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS (USA)	CRANIO-SACRAL THERAPISTS
Discoverer of Fundamental Osteopathic Principles	Initiated 1874 ² Andrew Taylor Still MD DO (1828 – 1917)	N/A
Expansion of the Osteopathic Concepts into the Cranial Field	Initiated 1930 ³ William Garner Sutherland DO (1873 – 1954)	N/A
Introduction of Cranio-Sacral Therapy™	N/A	Initiated 1983 ⁴John E. Upledger DO (1932 – 2012)
Required Education	4 Years of Osteopathic Medical School	One Course in Cranio-Sacral Therapy™
Required Hospital Training	1-6 Years of Residency	None
Required Licensure	National and Individual State Osteopathic Medical Licensure	No Licensure for the Practice of Cranio-Sacral Therapy™ ⁵
Training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Principles and Practices	Whole Body Evaluation & Treatment Integrated into Osteopathic Medical Curriculum: 300 – 400 Hours Minimum.	N/A
Beginning Course	40 Hour Basic Course (after extensive training mentioned above)	24 Hour Course
Mandatory Faculty/Student Ratio for Hands-on Training	Minimum 1 : 4 One Instructor for Every 4 Students	One Instructor Usually Leads a Large Group with Limited Individualized Instruction ⁶
Minimum Continuing Education To Maintain Licensure	120 Hours Every 3 Years	No Licensing or Continuing Education Requirement
Diagnosis	An Integral Part of Osteopathic Education and Practice	Not Allowed By Law*
Individualized Treatment	An Integral Part of Osteopathic Education and Practice	Not Allowed By Law** Generalized “Therapy” Protocol Taught in Courses.

* unless the Cranio-Sacral Therapist is separately licensed to diagnose.

** unless the Cranio-Sacral Therapist is separately licensed to perform treatment.

Summary

In summary, Osteopathic Physicians (USA) trained in the Cranial Concept:

Are taught the depth of Dr. Sutherland’s vision, and the evolution of his legacy dating from the early 1900s.
Are fully qualified to practice the full range and scope of medicine and surgery. This thorough training brings a profound depth of understanding, knowledge, experience, and commitment to the Diagnosis and Treatment process.
Receive in-depth training in the applications of osteopathic philosophy and technique. Cranial Osteopathy is an expansion of basic osteopathic philosophy. Without this basic osteopathic background, the full potential of cranial treatment may never be realized.

We, the physicians and staff of the Osteopathic Cranial Academy, are committed to helping you find the best care possible. To be assured of receiving appropriate Diagnosis and Treatment, we strongly recommend seeking out an Osteopathic Cranial Academy Member in your area.

References

Cranial-Sacral Therapy Level I: Course Description, International Alliance
of Healthcare Educators, Upledger Institute Web Page
Still, Andrew Taylor, Autobiography, 1897, p 46
Sutherland, William Garner, Contributions of Thought, 2nd Edition,
1998, p 47
Upledger, Vredevoogd, Craniosacral Therapy, Eastland Press, 1983,
p 2
Search For A Practitioner, International Association of Healthcare Practitioners,
Upledger Institute Web Page
What To Expect From An IAHE Course, International Alliance of Healthcare
Educators, Upledger Institute Web Page