Craniosacral therapists use massage-like movements of the head and skull.
Craniosacral therapy is a holistic practice that falls under alternative medicine. Therapists practicing this technique believe that everyone has a cranial rhythm. When this rhythm is smooth and uninterrupted, the body's energy is in alignment, and it functions properly. Craniosacral therapists adjust this rhythm and bring it into balance through observation, listening to the body and manipulating the scalp, head and neck. These therapists undergo education and practical training before they can practice craniosacral therapy.
Instructions
1. Graduate from high school or receive a GED. Most states require craniosacral therapists to hold a massage therapy license, and a high school education or GED is a qualification for a massage therapy license.
2. Attend a massage therapy school that features a program that meets your state's massage therapy licensing requirements, preferably one that offers instruction in craniosacral therapy. These programs last an average of 600 hours, though some states require considerably more hours. Coursework should include classes on anatomy, physiology and practical technique.
3. Take your state's massage therapy license exam and achieve a passing score. State licensing exams are typically two-part tests that include written and hands-on practical sections.
4. Apply for and receive a license to practice message therapy in your state. Many states have licensing guidelines that exclude applicants with certain criminal histories, including solicitation.
5. Complete coursework and hands-on training that focuses on craniosacral therapy and techniques, particularly if you are entering into this form of therapy from another field, such as osteopathy or chiropractics, or if you did not receive craniosacral therapy training in massage school. This should be a program approved by the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America, and could take between 150 hours and 700 hours.
6. Perform 600 apprenticeship hours in craniosacral therapy under an experienced therapist. Some of these hours can be from massage therapy school or carniosacral therapy training.
7. Apply for and receive Registered Craniosacral Therapist, or RCST, certification by the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America. You can apply online at the association's website.
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