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Biodynamics

Note: In an effort to be a substantive review of past and current craniosacral theory and practice, I have tried to research the field of craniosacral work and bind theory and method into a current working model. My goal is to form an Alliance of craniosacral practitioners to broaden the word and practice of this very gentle and unique form of healthcare. My goal is to make CST universally available to the world. It cannot be owned or operated by any one source. It is a gift to the world. The sooner we all realize this the better the world will be and the more we can find common ground to work together. I offer this brief basic review of Biodynamics as an example of yet another body of practice making up the craniosacral experience in the twenty first century. My major influences to my understanding of this work include: A.T. Still, W. G. Sutherland, John E Upledger, Harold Magoun, Rollin Becker, Franklyn Sills, Hugh Milne, R. Paul Lee, Beryl Arbuckle, and James Jealous.

Our Biodynamic Friends

I have spent years reading the wealth of craniosacral therapy books and references of the craniosacral system function, and methodology. I am very grateful to have run across a paper put out by the Colorado School of Energy Studies by John Chitty, RCST, RPP 11/1/04. He offers a copyright free work entitled, “Overview of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Based on the Teachings and Writings of Franklyn Sills” from which much of the following comes.

He cites the intention of the document is to summarize the content of the field of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. I reviewed it and selected the highlights that I felt I wanted to include in this book of foundations in CST. Chitty states the therapy is indirectly derived from the work of Dr. Sutherland and his colleagues in the field of osteopathic medicine. The term “Biodynamics” was first used by Rollin Becker D.O. (circa 1963) to describe the force creating subtle movement in the body and later by embryologist Erich Blechschmidt (1978) to describe a wholistic understanding of living systems. The term “Craniosacral” as in craniosacral mechanism, was first used by Sutherland’s colleague Harold Magoun D.O. (1951) to describe the presence of synchronized, coordinated movement in the head, spine, and pelvis. Franklyn Sills used the term “Biodynamic” in the title of his book Craniosacral Biodynamics (2001), the contents of which have become the basis for the current standards of Biodynamic practice, according to Chitty.