Below is the course syllabus from the Diploma of Cranio Sacral Therapy that I developed and taught at the Australian Institute of Cranio Sacral Therapy.
The diploma was accredited with the government and was recognized as a tertiary level qualification. It will give you an idea of the areas covered and the level of training that therapists who have graduated from the institute achieved.
It took 2 years to complete the diploma and it was divided into 6 trimesters. Because it was a vocational qualification it used what is called competency based learning. Which means that ever technique and theory that was taught was assessed.
TRIMESTER ONE
The cranio sacral system & treatment cst 001
Flexion and extension
The ventricular system
Fascia
The Membrane system
Bones of the cranio sacral system
Venous sinuses
Principle of still point induction
Direct and indirect technique
Contraindications
Palpation 1 cst 002
Tuning into patients body
Assessment of Symmetry
Amplitude and Quality
Using the listening posts of the body in treatment
Directional terminology
Restriction release (limbs) cst 003
Tissue memory and its role in Cranio Sacral Therapy
Principles of release
Limb articulation
Limb release
Releasing the sacroiliac joint
Transverse sites and their release
Emotional factors in the releasing process
Cranial mobility techniques 1 cst 004
Frontal bone release
Parietal bones release
Temporal bones release
Spheno basilar synchrondrosis compression and decompression
The Sacrum
Releasing the atlanto-occipital joint
Still point induction from the occiput
Dural tube release from the occiput
TRIMESTER TWO
Vertical membrane techniques cst 005
Anatomy of the vertebral column
Dural tube release from the sacrum
Enhancing the cranio sacral rhythm from the sacrum
Falx release
Releasing the dural tube using double contacts
Nervous system 1 cst 006
Structure of a neuron
Basic divisions within the nervous system
Somatic nerve supply
Location and clinical significance of somatic nerve plexi
Restriction release (extremities) cst 007
Wrist release
Ankle release
Testing for vertebral artery syndrome
Cervical spine release
vaccination
Palpation 2 cst 008
Identifying the primary lesion
Assessing the pelvic girdle
The therapeutic nature and use of energy
Cranial mobility techniques 2 cst 009
Accessing and treating the sphenobasilar synchrondrosis for flexion/extension – side bending – torsion – lateral sheer – vertical sheer and compression lesions
Mastoid tip compression
Case history management cst 010
Recording information for case histories
Using a diagnostic body map
Utilising case history data as a diagnostic tool
Maintaining a treatment record system
Employing active listening skills
Observing nonverbal communication
TRIMESTER THREE
Nervous system 2 cst 011
The Autonomic nervous system
The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system
Location of the major plexi and ganglia of the autonomic nervous system
Using the iris to assist in diagnosis of sympathetic /parasympathetic dominance
Facial and throat treatment cst 012
Anatomy of the face
Treatment of dysfunctions of the face and throat
Palpating the cranial movement in the face
Releasing bones and soft tissues of the face and throat
The significance of the orbit
Advanced diagnostics cst 013
Using the symbology of the body in diagnosis
Recognising the significance of still points
Enhancing perception
Working in conjunction with another cranio sacral therapist
Personal development 1 cst 014
Identifying personal obstacles to compassion
Recognising the significance of personal obstacles to compassion
Personal analysis of internal emotion and reactions
Evaluating personal strengths and weaknesses
TRIMESTER FOUR
Inner stillness cst 015
Using meditation as a vehicle to observe the mind
Developing deeper awareness of the body
Tracking thoughts
Differentiating between assumptions and facts
Maintaining stillness in activity
Dealing with the mechanism of worry
Bringing stillness to the workplace
Therapeutic inquiry cst 016
The principles of therapeutic inquiry
The importance of non-leading questions in therapeutic inquiry
Assisting clients to invoke internal images
Verbal communication with the intelligence of the clients body
Conducting a therapeutic inquiry
The dynamics of resolution
Cranial nerves cst 017
Overview of brain function
The 12 cranial nerves – their pathways, structure, function and possible sites of restriction
The foramina in the cranium that relate to the cranial nerves
Personal development 2 cst 018
Utilising feedback from external sources
Recognising opportunities to give and /or receive
Becoming more authentic
Discerning the value of feedback in relation to its source
TRIMESTER FIVE
Pregnancy and children cst 019
Embryonic development
Stages of labour and the birth process
Treatment of babies and children
General pathologies in children
Reflexes in babies and children
Considerations in treating children
Treatment during pregnancy and post partum for the mother
Viscera and glands cst 020
Overview of the organs and structures of the viscera
Individual attention to each structure in relation to location, function, related structures, nerve supply, energetic tendencies and pathologies
Overview of the endocrine system with attention to each gland in relation to location, function, related structures, nerve supply, energetic tendencies and pathologies
Abdominal release cst 021
Palpation of the abdomen with intention and hands
Umbilical shock
Releasing abdominal restrictions
Contra indications in abdominal release
The emotional factors associated with abdominal release
Multi-practitioner techniques cst 022
Working in a 3-5 person therapeutic team
Using therapeutic inquiry in a multi-person treatment
Leading and following within a therapeutic team
Leadership skills
Synchronising cranio sacral rhythms
Merging intentions
Verbal and non-verbal communication within a therapeutic team
Palpation 3 cst 023
Using therapeutic feedback from fellow practitioners to refine palpation
Including the opposed model of motion in palpation
Methods of expanding palpatory intention
Dynamics of cranial rhythm merging
Personal development 3 cst 024
Recognising personal projections onto clients
Mechanisms of projection
Recognising projection from clients
Analysing optimum personal performance parameters in therapists and clients
TRIMESTER SIX
Full body release cst 025
Establishing a clinical environment for full body release
Dynamics of full body release
Leading a therapeutic team in full body release
Recognition of contra-indications for full body release
Including therapeutic inquiry
Including knowledge of birth process in adult release, personal fitness and strength
Advanced techniques cst 026
Overview of the lymphatic system
Lymphatic pumping from the feet and thorax
Enhancing cerebral drainage
Business practices cst 027
Clarifying success parameters
Marketing and advertising a cranio sacral practice
Insurance
Business registration
Basic accounting
Ethics
Health and safety