John E. Upledger

John E. Upledger (1932–2012) was an American osteopathic physician (DO). After studying Osteopathy and working as a physician, he systematized an approach that later became known as craniosacral therapy. He died in October 2012 at the age of 80.

According to accounts from Upledger and his organization, it began during a spinal surgery in the early 1970s. While assisting with the surgery, he reportedly saw the membrane surrounding the spinal cord—the dura mater—moving up and down in a regular rhythm, and became curious about what that rhythm was. This anecdote comes from Upledger himself and his institute, and sources differ slightly on the year of the surgery, giving either 1970 or 1971.

From 1975 to 1983, he worked at Michigan State University as a clinical researcher and professor of biomechanics. There, he and fellow researchers examined the relationship between subtle movements of the skull, the Dura mater, and Cerebrospinal fluid. Colleagues such as Ernest Retzlaff, an anatomist at the same university, reportedly took part.

After this research, he focused on teaching the approach. In 1985, he co-founded the Upledger Institute and developed training programs for not only osteopathic physicians but also physical therapists, massage therapists, and others. His major books include *CranioSacral Therapy*, *SomatoEmotional Release: Deciphering the Language of Life*, and *Cell Talk*.

Sensing the rhythm of the craniosacral system. In Upledger’s view, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, the cerebrospinal fluid, the skull, and the sacrum move as a single system. Practitioners place their hands lightly on the body and check whether this rhythm is uneven from side to side or restricted anywhere. You can read more about how this concept is applied in Craniosacral therapy.

Considering the body and emotions together. Upledger believed that emotions from past experiences could remain within bodily tension. He introduced SomatoEmotional Release to help these emotions emerge and release during a session. See SomatoEmotional Release for a fuller explanation.

Upledger is also frequently mentioned in the Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) books developed by the married couple Sharon Weiselfish-Giammatteo and T. Giammatteo. This approach presents the whole-body responses reportedly observed when Upledger worked with the craniosacral mechanism in the 1970s as one impetus for whole-body treatment. It also credits Upledger with first describing “Arcing,” a phenomenon in which ripples spread outward from a single point, like a pebble dropping into a pool of water. In this approach, arcing is used to identify the primary area to address first in someone with discomfort in multiple places. This connects with fascial assessment in Integrative Manual Therapy. Upledger was also the person who invited Jean-Pierre Barral, who taught visceral manual therapy during the same period, to the United States in 1985.

Practitioners who have learned craniosacral therapy through Upledger’s training programs include physical therapists, osteopathic physicians, massage therapists, and others. The person receiving a session lies comfortably while fully clothed. The hand pressure is generally described as light, amounting to just a few grams. Many people report warmth, deep relaxation, or sleepiness during a session.

• At your first visit, let the practitioner know in advance which areas are currently bothering you and what diagnoses you have received at a hospital.
• Because the contact is so light, you may wonder, “Are they really doing this right?” Feel free to tell the practitioner what you are feeling.
• If memories or emotions that arise during a session feel overwhelming, you can ask to stop at any time.