The Heart of Listening : A Visionary Approach to Craniosacral Work VOL. 1 & 2 by Hugh Milne.
I like Hugh's two books. He goes into great depth on the underlying philosophies involved in cranio sacral work.

Here's what other people say about Hugh's books.

"Hugh Milne's 2 vol. set combines poetry, art, and technique in the field of Craniosacral Therapy. Great insight to the therapist's process, as well as, the client. It goes beyond the technical to the artful and creative process of being with your client, as you help their body heal itself. Not only beautiful, and inspiring, but deals, in detail, with the technical aspects of craniosacral work. It is a definite "must" in the library of the body worker who wants to go beyond the ordinary."

"Hugh Milne's 2 vol. set combines poetry, art, and technique in the field of Craniosacral Therapy. Great insight to the therapist's process, as well as, the client. It goes beyond the technical to the artful and creative process of being with your client, as you help their body heal itself. Not only beautiful, and inspiring, but deals, in detail, with the technical aspects of craniosacral work.
It is a definite "must" in the library of the body worker who wants to go beyond the ordinary. Well written with a good index, bibliography and footnotes for each chapter. The author's analogies are also quite helpful as it is really a book that tries to teach a feeling, hands on, touch subject. The diagrams are accurate and easy to follow. At times there are references to techniques that are in the next volume. Volume one deals with the background, history and cerebral/philosophical aspects of craniosacral work.
These aspects are a key to how the author practices craniosacral work. This is not just a technical manual of how to shift bones. It deals with energetic aspects of healing as well. As I am a veterinarian, the medical aspects were easy to follow. I cannot speak to how someone with less anatomical training would see the text."

"If every Massage Therapy School would teach The Heart of Listening's lessons on "transference" and "counter-transference," I believe Hugh Milne would have provided a direly needed understanding and set of constructive guidelines for therapists who are human and therefore tend to get into trouble when in close contact with other humans.
There are many other extraordinarily helpful and interesting stories, explanations and illustrations to be found in The Heart of Listening. If you believe that truth is beauty and beauty truth, I think you would deeply appreciate Hugh Milne's book. It is a fine creative effort, especially in presentation of both the technical and spiritual aspects of Visionary Craniosacral Work.
Another thing I like about the writing: Milne doesn't take credit for someone else's work. Quite the contrary. I noticed meticulous care in giving credit where credit is due. A certain humility permeates this book, letting the reader know the author is not just knowledgeable in a gentle way, but quite honest. Jockeying for "who's the best" status obviously isn't a Milne characteristic."

Top

Top

Top

CRANIO SACRAL THERAPY 1 by John Upledger
Many schools use this book as their first text book for their students.
It always strikes me as if it was written predominantly to communicate that John knew what he was he was talking about to Doctor.
As a consequence this book is hard going to read.
It assumes you know anatomic terminology so if this is your first book about cranio sacral therapy I suggest you get familiar with the terminology before you start.
Having said all that it is a must read for every cranio sacral therapist.

Top

Cranio Sacral Therapy 2 - Beyond the Dura by John Upledger.
This is the cranial nerves and face book. I haven't come across a better book on the cranial nerves, particularly because it is written from a cranio sacral perspective. So not only is the anatomy of the cranial nerves gone into in detail it also includes the sorts of pathology picture and symptoms that can manifest.
It also goes into facial anatomy and the neck in great detail.

Top

Somato Emotional Release: Deciphering the Language of Life by John Upledger.
This is John's talking book. The sort of therapeutic talking that can be done with a patient to help hem access the memories locked in restrictions.
He outlines the mechanics of what is happening and gives models for working with these dream like parts of the patient.
Definitely a book to read if you feel that talking with your patient will help the releasing process but you just don't know what to say.

Top

A Brain is Born By John Upledger.
This is an excellent book about embryology and foetal development with a focus on the brain and its development.

It is written with prospective parents in mind so is not to jargon heavy.

Top

Craniosacral Byodynamics 1 & 2 by Franklyn Sills.
These two books are excellent. They add another perspective to cranial work. Here is what Franklyn has to say about it.
"Craniosacral Biodynamics is an approach to work in the cranial field which has its roots in the later work or Dr. William Garner Sutherland, the founder of the the cranial approach. These two volumes are geared to be text books for students and practitioners which outline a particular biodynamic outlook within the cranial field.
The work within these volumes is different from most foundation course books currently available. Dr. Sutherland emphasised that the human system is not just a mechanism, but is ordered by the deepest spiritual sources. He called the Creative Intelligence in action within the universe, the Breath of Life.
It is this Breath of Life which is the focus for a clinical understanding, even if we only perceive the forces it generates. These books focus on the Breath of Life as the ordering and organising principle, not just of the human system, but within the world at large.
Craniosacral Biodynamics is an energy medicine which attempts to align us to the deepest wellspring of life. It takes a biodynamic approach in that the intentions are to clarify our relationship to the Breath of Life and its ordering processes, and to function clinically as a servant to the healing processes it unfolds. Our work is clearly seen to be one of supporting these intentions, we do not "do" the healing, we listen to and support its unfoldment. This work strongly de-emphasised the CRI level of action.
These books focus much more on the deeper tidal rhythms within the human system. These are called the mid-tide and Long Tide. It is within these slower and deeper rhythms that the resources of the system are found and within which our unresolved experience, be it traumatic or pathological, is centered. Our focus is squarely on the action of what Dr. Sutherland called the potency of the Breath of Life as it unfolds within our human condition."

Top

Osteopathy in the cranial field by Magoun
This book, like the next one, are classics of cranio sacral therapy.

Top

Teachings in the science of Osteopathy by William Sutherland.
The grandfather of cranio sacral therapy, this is his pioneering book.

Top