Cranial Sacral Skills Part 1 (CSS)

Tutor: John Wilks

In-house Location: Somerset, Surrey

Summary: An introduction to gentle, non-invasive, cranial-sacral techniques that can be incorporated into your existing treatment protocols.

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Somerset: 6-7 March 2025 (£240)
Book now

Surrey: 29-30 October 2025 (£240)
Book now

Overview

*Accredited by the Bowen Association* - this two-day course will give participants an overview of the principles and practices behind Craniosacral Therapy, focusing on a traditional Biodynamic approach that developed from the founder of Cranial Osteopathy, Dr William Sutherland.

This particular approach is non-invasive and relies on sensitive palpation of the tissues and cranial rhythms – both of which are very useful additional skills for any manual therapist.

The course is a balance of theory and practical with plenty of time given to practice. All of the assessment and treatment techniques learnt can be incorporated into your existing treatment protocols.

John Wilks (MA RCST BTAA) has been practising and teaching Craniosacral Therapy and The Bowen Technique for the last 25 years. In his early 20’s he developed a deep interest in body-centred psychotherapy, yoga and meditation and has since taught in many countries throughout the world including the UK, USA, South Africa, New Zealand, Germany, Bulgaria, Austria, Serbia, Hungary, Poland, Denmark, Portugal, Norway, Israel, Australia, Central America, Brazil, Ireland, and France. He is a frequent speaker at international conferences and hosted the recent Human Baby Human Being conference in Bristol.

He is also the author of 6 books – "Choices in Pregnancy and Childbirth" (2015), "An Integrative Approach to Treating Babies and Children" (2017), "Using the Bowen Technique to address common and complex conditions" (2014), "Understanding The Bowen Technique and Understanding Craniosacral Therapy" and "The Bowen Technique - the inside story published in 2007".

John has been involved in setting up a number of charitable projects using complementary therapies and runs a large internet based teaching programme specialising in delivering high quality webinars and online courses to health professionals.

For qualified Massage Therapists/Bodyworkers

Course Content

John Wilks

Studies commence at 9.30 a.m. and finish at 5.30 p.m.

• 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 other therapies
• 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)

John Wilks

• A brief 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.
• Discussion of treatment strategies as a result of palpation felt (PRACTICAL)
• Integrate palpations and assessment into a treatment plan (PRACTICAL)

Many Associations accept our courses for CPD including the IFPA (12 Category A Points).