Meet The Speakers and their Presentations
We have curated an excellent educational program that includes some of our industry's brightest and most innovative experts. And it is sure to expand and enhance your understanding of the body and how to better help your clients.
The Fourth Phase of Water: Implications for Health and Wellness
Dr. Gerald Pollack
Dr. Pollack discusses the three phases of water: solid, liquid, and vapor, and the more recently uncovered fourth phase, in which molecules are organized in a liquid crystalline phase. Fourth Phase water fills our cells, and for proper cell function, a full supply is needed. Radiant energy is needed to create this liquid crystalline water, which envelops every macromolecule in the body, including those of the fascia. Radiant energy may also play a role during manual therapy. Your hands generate radiant energy, and fascia absorbs that energy. That energy builds the liquid crystalline water that is necessary for healthy function. Further, pressure itself does the same: because liquid crystalline water is denser than bulk water, manual therapy pressure converts bulk water into liquid crystalline water. In other words, pressure and radiant energy build the liquid crystalline water that is characteristic of healthy tissue and necessary for normal physiological function. This presentation delves into the nature and role of this fourth phase of water, and how a full complement of this (hydration) water can be maintained to optimize biological function and wellness.
Gerald Pollack maintains an active laboratory at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of WATER: A Multidisciplinary Research Journal; Executive Director of the Institute for Venture Science; co-founder of 4th-Phase Inc.; and founder of the Annual Conference on the Physics, Chemistry, and Biology of Water. The University of Washington Faculty chose Pollack, in 2008, to receive their highest annual distinction: the Faculty Lecturer Award. He has received numerous additional honors including: the Prigogine Medal for Thermodynamics; the NIH Director's Transformative Research Award; and the 1st Emoto Peace Prize. He is recognized internationally as an accomplished speaker and author.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Professor of Bioengineering, University of Washington 1981-present
Executive Director, The Institute for Venture Science 2013-present
Co-founder, 4th-Phase Inc. 2016-present
Consultant, Whitaker Foundation 1996-2006
Associate Professor, Anesthesiology & Bioengineering, University of Washington 1973-1977
Assistant Professor, Dept. Anesthesiology & Div. Bioengineering, University of Washington 1968-1973
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE
Founding Chair, Annual Conference on the Physics, Chemistry, and Biology of Water 2006; 2008-present
Founding Editor-in-Chief, WATER: A Multidisciplinary Research Journal 2010-present
Scientific Advisory Board, Hippocrates Health Institute 2016-present
Honorary Board member, Weston Price Foundation 2018 -present
Board member, Omni Aqua Foundation 2018-present
Board member, Hydration Foundation 2018-present
Editorial Board member, Molecular and Cellular Biomechanics 2007
Editorial Board member, Cell Biology International 2005-2014
Advisor, National Science Board Task Force for Transformative Research 2005-2006
Chair (joint, founding), Gordon Research Conference on Interfacial Water in Cell Biology 2004
Editorial Board member, Circulation Research 1982-1989
NIH Cardiovascular-Pulmonary Study Section 1979, 1980
Board of Directors, Bioengineering Society 1977-1979
Editorial Board member, Am. J. Physiol. (Heart and Circ. Physiol.) 1975-1980
Editorial Board member, J. Mol. & Cell Cardiology 1975-1980
HONORS & AWARDS
Mary Enig Integrity in Science Award, Weston Price Foundation, 2021
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis Presentation, Al Bateen Palace, UAE, 2020
Water Science Award, Hydration Foundation, 2020
#83, The World's 100 Most Inspiring People, OOOM Magazine, 2019
Lifetime Achievement Award, Chappell Natural Philosophy Society, 2019
Laureate, Living Agriculture, Agriculture du Vivant, 2019
Honorary Board, Weston Price Foundation, 2018-
Emoto Peace Prize, Inaugural Prize 2016
Fellow, International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering, 2016
TEDx talk, NewYorkSalon, 2016
Appearance in Travis Rice's 2016 sports-action movie, The Fourth Phase, named after the book: The Fourth Phase of Water.
International BrandLaureate Foundation Personality Award, 2015
Dinsdale Prize, Society for Scientific Exploration, 2014
Scientific Excellence Award, World Academy of Neural Science, 2014
International Summit Award, Award of Excellence, Society of Technical Communication for book: The Fourth Phase of Water, 2014
Distinguished Award, Society of Technical Communication Puget Sound Chapter, for book: The Fourth Phase of Water, 2014
Academician and Foreign Member, Academy of Science, Srpska, 2012
TEDx talk, Guelph U, 2012
Prigogine Medal, for thermodynamics and physical chemistry, 2012
Martin Hellsten Surface-Chemistry Award, AkzoNobel Chalmers, 2011
Chair, US-Israel Binational Science Foundation Panel on Transformative Research, 2011
NIH Director's Transformative Research Award, 2009
University of Washington Annual Faculty Lecturer, 2008
Fellow, Biomedical Engineering Society, 2005
Honorary Professor, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2005
Merit Award, Society for Technical Communication International Summit Awards, for book: Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life, 2003
Distinguished Award, Society for Technical Communication Puget Sound Chapter, for book: Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life, 2003
Honorary Doctorate, Ural State University, Ekaterinburg Russia, 2002
International Scientist of the Year (Int'l Biogr. Center), 2002
Distinguished Lecturer Award, Biomedical Engineering Society, 2002
Invited Scholar, Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques, 2002
Fellow, American Heart Association , 2001
Inaugural Fellow, Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences, AHA, 2001
JSEM Scientific Paper Award (Japan Society for Electron Microscopy), 1998
Established Investigator, American Heart Association 1974-79
Polytechnic Institute Merit Key; Engineering Honor Societies (Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi), 1961
Kulka Award (Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu), 1961
Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory to SomatoEmotional Release and CranioSacral Therapy Brain Work
Avadhan Larson, LAc, LMT, CST-D, RCST, SEP
This presentation will focus on the structural and functional implications of early nurturance and support on brain development. We will look at the results of missing resources in early attachment and early trauma scenarios, and the way CST, in conjunction with therapeutic applications of the Polyvagal Theory, can help to correct early deficits and restore optimal cognitive and emotional processing.
Avadhan Larson has been teaching CranioSacral Therapy for the Upledger Institute since 1995, and practicing CranioSacral since 1987. She is an Upledger Diplomate Certified CranioSacral Therapist, Upledger Certified CranioSacral Therapy Instructor, Certified Upledger Certification Examiner, Registered CranioSacral Therapist (RCST, Biodynamic method), Certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), Certified Homeopath (IFH); Graduate of Ray Castellino's Birth Process Training; Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCA).
Avadhan has been studying and practicing alternative therapies since 1979. In 1987 she discovered CranioSacral Therapy for the first time, and fell in love with its gentle, sensitive touch and profound results. Since then, the love affair has continued! She has a full-time practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado and treats both adults and children. She feels blessed to be able to do the work she loves: in her private practice with her clients; and "on the road" working as a Certified Upledger CranioSacral Therapy Instructor, teaching CranioSacral Therapy I & 2, SomatoEmotional Release 1, SomatoEmotional Release 2, Advanced CST1, CST for Pediatrics 1, The Brain Speaks 1 and 2, and all levels of Clinical Applications classes to health professionals internationally.
Avadhan is also a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), a powerful method for healing the symptoms of trauma developed by Peter Levine. She has also completed a three-year training specializing in pre and perinatal trauma, including attachment trauma, in children and adults. Additionally, Avadhan is fully trained in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy with Michael Kern, D.O. RCST.
Beyond the Rhythms - Scientific Research
Beyond the Rhythms - Clinical Treatment - Experiential
Thomas Rasmussen, PhD, MSc, CST-D
Beyond the Rhythms - Scientific Research - The primary respiratory mechanism (PRM) is a fundamental concept in CST and, simultaneously, under criticism in a time of scientific and medical reductionism. In studying the PRM, four related rhythmic movements were identified using a scientific approach to study the PRM and its postulated polyrhythmic system. The lecture will focus on the scientific description of the polyrhythmic system, its relation to the PRM, and its relevance for CST.
Beyond the Rhythms - Clinical Treatment - Experiential - Movement/stillness in the body/mind/spirit and its balance with the environment from a microscopic to macroscopic scale is central for whole-person health. Here the focus is the perception of the PRM and the polyrhythmic movements as a perceptual communication/connection with the Inner Wisdom and the Significance Detector in Upledger's CST.
Thomas Rasmussen has a Ph.D. Degree in Medical Science, an MSc in Chemistry, a BSc in Biochemistry, a BSc in Biology, and is Upledger CranioSacral Diplomate Certified. Thomas has worked with medical science and evidence-based medicine since 1994. Thomas has been a leading scientist, publishing over 50 studies in international journals and over 100 abstracts for international conference publications. Much of his research has been on cancer research, natural chemistry and pharmacology. Thomas continues his research work with a focus on the craniosacral system, and is in the process of publishing four new scientific papers based on this ongoing research.
Thomas owns a private clinical practice in Copenhagen, Denmark, helping patients with CranioSacral Therapy and other manual modalities. Thomas is an International Teacher and class developer for Upledger Institute International.
Thomas is also the Director of Research for Upledger Institute International. Some of his responsibilities include:
- Conduct research and collaborate with other research teams to forward CST research.
- Determine what research would best support CST.
- Condense research down to what could be relevant in the Upledger curriculum.
Thomas' most recent published scientific paper reported on a direct objective measurement of a third rhythmic movement on the human head, giving rational scientific evidence documenting the existence of a rhythmic movement different from arterial and respiratory rhythms. A long-standing debate on using low-frequency movements (<0,1 Hz) in craniosacral assessment by palpation might be clarified, and the future training of therapists using cranial palpation might be improved with reference to both a normative range and nature of the rhythmic movements described in this study. Blood and CSF flow are of central importance in human health, studying the role of low-frequency movements in the human body, may be of great interest in understanding and maintaining human health. This study forms a new basis for studying the physiological and clinical significance of low frequency oscillation in humans.
How Finding Our Place(enta) in History Can Change Our Future
Carol McLellan, CMT, CST-D, CD
To truly understand our birth, we need to understand the miraculous birth of what we call the CranioSacral System, which many ancients called "the River of Life". Dr Upledger emphasized that we need to look at the whole, the hologram. Birth is a holographic transformation that physically starts 2 or more generations before we are born. We will talk about prenatal bonding and other influences that imprint within us. From the first spark of conception we are developing not only for surviving, but thriving.
Carol McLellan, one of our Upledger Institute International Instructors and a member of the Curriculum Oversight Committee, has a 35-year background in health education and bodywork - over 30 of which have focused on CranioSacral Therapy. Carol facilitated intensive therapy programs for Warrior Stress at the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, California. She was invited by Dr. Upledger to develop the curriculum for CranioSacral Therapy for Conception, Pregnancy and Birth. And she is the Ombudsman for that curriculum, as well as the Co-Ombudsman for the Pediatric Curriculum.
Carol is a doula, a labor coach, a Doula educator and a Childbirth educator. She has worked and taught CST in hospitals and medical facilities, as well as presented at numerous national conferences. She is on the Executive Board of the Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health (APPPAH) and is also their Vice President of Education and Programming.
Carol is working on epigenetic research for newborns with challenges that started with a colleague and Neonatologist at a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Italy. Over the past 3 decades, Carol has treated tens of thousands of pregnant moms and babies, and brings to you today a fascinating presentation based on all of those experiences and also new science that supports the work developed by Dr. Upledger many years ago.
Professional Associations / Memberships
- Valley Birthing Network
- Doula
- American CranioSacral Therapy Association (ACSTA)
- International Association of HealthCare Practitoners (IAHP)
- Integrative Healthcare Advisory Committee
- International Childbirth Education Association
- Board of Governors, San Joaquin Valley College
Unwrapping the Potential of the Vagus Nerve with CranioSacral Therapy
Mariann Sisco, PT, CST-D
This presentation is designed to inform practitioners of Upledger CranioSacral Therapy (CST) in how to apply manual techniques in keeping with the paradigm of Upledger CST and current evidence to provide safety and develop resilience in patients/clients based on Polyvagal Theory. A retrospective view of current skills, expanded versions, and new techniques will be employed to facilitate the optimal functioning of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and the Social Engagement System.
Mariann has enjoyed a long and celebrated career in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, orthopedic clinics and most recently at the Upledger Institute incorporating CranioSacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation and Mechanical Link in her work to improve functional outcomes and relieve pain. In 1988, The University of New Mexico named her their first "Clinical Educator of the Year." Mariann is an International Instructor for Upledger Institute International, and teaches on average 20 seminars across the US, Canada and Internationally each year.
Over the past 20+ years, Mariann has also been a Featured Speaker at numerous national and state conferences for the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Massage Therapy Association, Compass Massage and Body Work World of Wellness, and more.
Mariann Sisco is passionate about helping people solve even the most puzzling issues. Once struggling with her own health challenges that didn't respond to conventional care, she discovered the guiding principles of CranioSacral Therapy and other osteopathic approaches...and finally experienced hope and healing.
Fueled by her personal belief that you cannot diagnose the power of the human spirit, Mariann now delights in sharing her skills with patients and students alike.
Articles & Books Written
"Craniosacral Therapy...What is it Really?" CyberPT.com June 2012
"The Inner Physician is Speaking...Are You Listening?" E-News Oct 2010
"Adaptation of Myofascial Release Techniques in a Hand and Plastic Surgery Clinic," Occupational Therapy Forum, February 1988 and Physical Therapy Forum, December 1987.
"Use of Myofascial Release Techniques in Rehabilitation of the Post-Surgical Knee," Physical Therapy Forum, November 1987.
Echos From The Field
Tad Wanveer, LMBT, CST-D
Three hundred years ago, Emanual Swedenborg wrote, "...life, or our nature, consists of little vibrations...there is within us a continuously moving, tremulatory, and living force...." [1] Let's jump forward to today and consider the words of Shamini Jain, Ph.D., that "Biofields are fields of energy and information that guide our health...and can be considered as vital life force fields." [2] Or this statement by Rupert Sheldrake, Ph.D., that "Vibrating electromagnetic fields underlie the functioning of our brains and bodies, our cells, and our molecules." [3] Tad will discuss a model in which vibrating fields help shape the body's form and function and contribute to the effectiveness of the CranioSacral Therapy (CST) light touch approach.
- Swedenborg, E., On Tremulation. Reprinted in 1976, 2005, Bryn Athyn, Pa.: Swedenborg Scientific Association.
- Jain, S., Healing Ourselves: Biofield Science and the Future of Health. 2021, Boulder, Colorado: Sounds True.
- Sheldrake, R., Morphic Resonance : The Nature of Formative Causation. 2009, Rochester, Vermont: Park Street Press.
Tad Wanveer, LMBT, CST-D is diplomat certified by the Upledger Institute in CranioSacral Therapy. He has specialized in CranioSacral Therapy since 1993. Tad is a certified instructor of CranioSacral Therapy for The Upledger Institute and formerly served as the ombudsman for the CS2 curriculum. Tad first began his private practice in New York City. In September 2001 he joined the clinical staff of the Upledger Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida where he remained until March 2006.
While on the Upledger Clinic staff, Tad served as Director of the Intensive Therapy Programs, Co-Director of Clinical Services, Ombudsman for the Introductory and Overview CranioSacral Therapy classes, and Co-Developer/Team Leader of Trauma Relief (which provided CranioSacral Therapy in New York City to victims of the 9/11 attacks).
Tad worked closely with Dr. Upledger in the clinical setting. He has also illustrated work written by Dr. Upledger, such as Cell Talk. The time spent in discussion, and working with Dr. Upledger, had been profound and pivotal in Tad's understanding of the human body and the application of CranioSacral Therapy.
Tad is the Developer of the advanced training seminars through Upledger Institute international CranioSacral Therapy Touching The Brain 1: Stimulating Self-Correction Through The Glial Interface and CranioSacral Therapy Touching The Brain 2. He is the author of the book Brain Stars. Tad has also created In Motion - An Animated Exploration Of The Craniosacral Rhythm, which is a DVD set using animation to show the craniosacral system, different body parts, and the body as a whole moving in response to the craniosacral rhythm.
Consciousness, Awareness, Quantum and Trance
Hank Meldrum, PT, CST-D
In this presentation we will share aspects of perception, consciousness, awareness, trance, Default Mode Network, "quantum stuff", Intention. The "Unified Experience of Perception", blending and melding and their relevance to CranioSacral Therapy. We will also talk about Holonomic Brain Theory (Pribram) and OrchOR (Penrose, Hameroff)- Orchestrated Objective Reduction, or consciousness in the microtubules of living cells.
Born in Montreal, Canada, Hank moved to the Netherlands in the early 1960s. Here he went through the whole journey from physiotherapy, manual therapy, autogenic training to certified Craniosacral Therapist. Hank started his practice for CranioSacral Therapy in Dordrecht, Holland in 1995. He is an International Instructor for Upledger Institute International, and teaches on around the world.
Hank maintains a private practice, where knowledge and skills acquired during the physiotherapy and manual therapy courses are applied almost daily in the treatments. This occurs especially in the initial phase of therapy and in consultation, leading to a significant shortening of the total treatment time. Craniosacral Therapy, however, remains the basis of every treatment. He believes that clear and beneficial results should be achieved within a small number of treatments. This of course depends on the seriousness and extent of the complaints.
In some cases, Hank also works with relaxation therapy in the form of Autogenic Training, partly in order to prevent an overly dependent relationship between the client and the therapist. He provides this to enhance the client's ability to maintain and promote the improved state achieved with the therapy.
Hank has continued his studies of the various natural sciences—psychology, physiology, quantum physics, biochemistry, neurophysiology, ecology, astronomy, etc.—to further explore the idea that the universe inside and outside our bodies is a web of interrelated relationships between the various parts of the whole. Science, major world religions and ancient wisdom are in broad agreement on this. In the spirit of this, he/we see man as more than just the sum of different systems, such as circulation, digestion, nervous system, hormonal system, etc.
The Biogenesis and Integration of Self
And:
Practical Applications of the Upledger Triune of CranioSacral Therapy, SomatoEmotional Release, Imagery and Dialogue (CST-SER-I&D)
Chas Perry, PhD, CST-D
Dr. Upledger stated that, "Body and mind are inseparable and actually just different facets of a single unified being." For this presentation, I am assuming that as a unified self we are body-mind. In his book, Cell Talk, Dr. Upledger writes, "So let's assume Information is energy and energy is consciousness available to conscious awareness upon request." And, "I assume that all things live in a sea of energy. It knows no boundaries." These assumptions we can consider to be operational assumptions. We can choose to operate as a unified body-mind in a boundless sea of available energy and information. What does it mean to be a single unified being in a boundless sea of energy and information? Upledger continues, "I believe the study of consciousness must be significantly experiential rather than exclusively experimental." From the science of embryology I will present information that relates to the biogenesis of a unified organism as well as a unified body-mind. What constitutes a single unified being is evident in our biogenesis from notochord to spine to centered self, and from neurotube to brain and spinal cord forming core integrity. From here I will present aspects of our biogenesis that unify our being and how unity is experientially facilitated in the Upledger Triune of CST-SER-I&D.
Dr. Chas Perry earned a Ph.D. in psychology from International College in Los Angeles in 1983. Both his dissertation, "An Anatomy of Self-Perception," and clinical practice place particular emphasis on sensations and emotions as they contribute to the functioning of the body's systems and constitute the dynamics of awareness and self-image. First introduced to Upledger CranioSacral Therapy in 1972, Dr. Perry has remained focused on this modality in his studies and practice.
He has maintained a private clinical practice that addresses a broad spectrum of needs, from therapy for life enhancement to treating clients affected by traumatic life experiences. His studies have also included Visceral Manipulation, Reichian Therapy, Somato-Sensory Awareness, Dolphin and Equine Assisted Therapy, and World Integrative Therapy. He has also worked in a psychiatric halfway house, and taught, organized, and facilitated numerous support groups.
In 1994 Dr. Perry joined HealthPlex Clinical Services as a staff therapist, where he uses CranioSacral Therapy and related modalities to facilitate health and well-being. He is an instructor for several Upledger Institute International courses, including SomatoEmotional Release 2, Advanced CranioSacral Therapy and BioAquatic Explorations. He was also active in The Upledger Foundation's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder intensive therapy program for Vietnam veterans.
7 additional hours of complimentary bonus presentations.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome: CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release® with Quantitative Analysis of EEG Measurements; A Pilot Project
Diego Maggio, BSc (Hons), DO, CST-D, Co-President of Upledger Italia
Diego Maggio presents the findings of a pilot project, which opens the possibility of new scientific developments and future studies. The project team consists of the Cranio-Sacrale Upledger Italia Association, CFU Italia Association-United Fibromyalgic Committee, and Dr. Paolo Cioni-Neurophysiologist Forensic Consultant and Quantitative ElectroEncephaloGraphy (QEEG) Expert.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome only recently has been evaluated and associated with various Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunctions that can lead to such varied symptoms as: loss of descending analgesic activity, sensitization of the CNS, neuro-inflammation with diffuse microglial activation, cognitive impairments, impaired motor control, depression and anxiety and more. For a manual therapist, treating people suffering from fibromyalgia can represent a real challenge, as each fibromyalgic patient can present and develop several dysfunctions in completely different ways at the same time.
Quantitative ElectroEncephaloGraphy, often called “brain mapping”, is a diagnostic tool that measures the electrical activity of the brain in the form of a brain wave pattern. In this pilot study, QEEG measurements are used to demonstrate the changes in cerebral entropy pre- and post-CranioSacral Therapy/SomatoEmotional Release treatments.
Presentation is approximately 30 minutes.
Prolonged post-COVID-19 symptoms and osteopathy. Can osteopathic treatments change prolonged symptoms post Covid-19? A pilot study.
Sabine Foster-Garn, BHSc, DO BVO;
Dr. Dr. Alexandra Bodmann-Peschke
Unterolberndorf, Austria
January - March 2021
The aim of this pilot study was to examine the question as to whether prolonged symptoms post Covid-19 could be changed through the use of osteopathic methods. The methods included Upledger CranioSacral Therapy; Barral Visceral Manipulation, Neural Manipulation and Visceral Vascular Manipulation; as well as musculoskeletal techniques. The osteopathic methods included Barral Visceral Manipulation, Barral Neural Manipulation, and Upledger CranioSacral Therapy.
Data was collected through the means of SF-36 questionnaires supplemented by six disease-specific additional questions, standardized six-minute walking tests and individual osteopathic treatment protocols.
Ten test persons (1 male, 9 female; aged 34 - 74 years) with symptoms persisting between 10 to 48 weeks post infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus were recruited through medical cooperation partners.
Each test person received six osteopathic treatments of 60 minutes over the course of 3 months (January to March 2021). Before and after the treatment series, a SF-36 questionnaire was filled in by the test person, a standardized six-minute walking test was completed and an extensive osteopathic assessment was conducted by the author.
This data was analyzed using the integrated statistical tools of Microsoft Excel (Office 365).
The analysis of the data collected showed a statistically significant improvement in the results of the standardized six-minute walking tests (p (one-tail) = 0.0014, p (two-tail) = 0.0027).
The analysis of data from the SF-36 questionnaires showed:
Significant improvement in physical health (p (one-tail) = 0.0074, p (two-tail) = 0.0147) and general well-being (p (one-tail) = 0.0037, p (two-tail) = 0.0075).
Slightly less significant improvement in the area of mental health (p (one-tail) = 0.0296 (significant), p (two-tail) = 0.0591 (not significant)), general perception of health (p (one-tail) = 0.0309 (significant), p (two-tail) = 0.0619 (not significant)) und digestion (p (one-tail) = 0.0477 (significant), p (two-tail) = 0.0955 (not significant)).
The analysis of the individual osteopathic assessments before and after the treatment series also mirrored these results.
The above mentioned statistically significant results point to osteopathic treatments possibly being an effective additional option for the treatment of Long Covid.
The Inner Physician; A Metacognitive Approach to CST
Gabriela P. Florea, MD, PhDc, CST-D
University of Bucharest
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Within the healthcare literature and practitioners' circle, be they part of Western Medicine, Integrative or Complementary and Alternative medicine, the focus is mainly on the patient/client and hardly on the physician's/practitioner's well-being in relationship with the client. Often enough, CranioSacral professionals (those that are not solely or at all Western Medicine-oriented) come across many chronic patients in their practice. These patients' narrative and their personal process of going through the illness itself is frequently dramatic for themselves and may also have a strong impact on the CST therapist. If we consider the experiences they had or are still having in the classical healthcare system, we are confronted with persons that are not only suffering from a specific disease but also from an impairment rooted within the hospital's ‘medical society'. Since our creed and responsibility is to care for our client's mind-body-spirit frame, we ought to become aware of our own internal processes too, for the sufferer's well-being depends on ours. The aim of this presentation is to reveal another facet of Dr. Upledger's Inner Physician and its deeper meaning, by adding to its core definition the significance and relevance of the practitioners' inner voice in the client-CST practitioner interaction. Consequently, I introduce the extended mind theory and metacognition as key concepts in grasping the deeper meaning of the practitioners' Inner Physician.
Description of research: Gabriela P. Florea is a medical doctor and Upledger Diplomate Certified CranioSacral Therapist finishing her Ph.D. in analytic philosophy of medicine at the University of Bucharest. Her main interest is the mind-body problem as assessed by the patient-physician or the client-therapist interaction with publications and speeches focusing on metacognitive processes in healthcare education and practice. During her research, she studied the evolution of the medical humanities program, Adam U'Refuah (Man and Medicine), at Hadassah Medical School from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as part of the medical curriculum. She developed and presented educational programs for healthcare providers, at a national and international level, promoting extended mind and metacognition as key concepts in their process of becoming better practitioners. After her Ph.D. theoretical research (Metacognition in Medicine. The Mind-Body Problem), she intends to investigate how conscious metacognitive processes can improve CST and SER® therapists' approach to their clients.
Upledger CranioSacral Therapy® Research at the Clinical Department of Neonatology in Graz, Austria
Dr. Wolfgang Raith - Prof. Peter Marschik; Constanze Sommer PhD, M.D. - Prof. Ute Maurer - Prof. Wilhelm Müller - Prof. Berndt Urlesberger - Prof. Christa Einspieler
Elisabeth Löwenstein, M. Sc - Susanne Soral - Claudia Amhofer, M.D. - René Assink, B.Sc.
Rene Assink presents the findings from two research projects completed with the Clinical Department of Neonatology in Graz, Austria.
General movements in preterm infants undergoing CranioSacral Therapy: a randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Dr. Wolfgang Raith; Peter B Marschik , Prof., PhD; Constanze Somme , M.D.; Ute Maurer, Prof., M.D.; Wilhelm Mueller, Prof.; Berndt Urlesberger, Prof.; Christa Einspieler, Prof.; Elisabeth Löwenstein, M.Sc.; Susanne Soral; Claudia Amhofer, M.D.
The objective of this study was to investigate neurological short-term effects of CranioSacral Therapy as an ideal form of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) due to the soft kinesthetic stimulation.
Comparison of the application of the Upledger CranioSacral Therapy and the Vojta-Therapy on the quality and quantity of spontaneous motor activity in preterm infants.
The research was conducted through the Clinical Department of Neonatology in Graz, Austria, Pediatric Physiotherapy. It was conducted as a thesis to obtain the academic degree of Master of Science; Presented by Elisabeth Löwenstein, Graz, December 2012.
Updated Research Relating to CST and Alzheimer's and Dementia
Michael Morgan, LMT, CST-D
Michael presents 12 new research studies that complement what has been presented about CranioSacral Therapy and Longevity in the Upledger curriculum from 2002, beginning with Dr. John E. Upldeger, to the very present. This lecture is an interesting summary of scientific research that helps to illuminate our Upledger CranioSacral Therapy model.
Presentation is approximately 30 minutes.
Empowering Change through Policy;
Education-Advocacy-Policy
Dr. Len Wisneski, MD, FACP
Dr. Wisneski discusses information about integrative healthcare as it exists today, and how the shifts that are happening in functional medicine, as well as integrative and complementary care, can be far reaching for the future of all healthcare.The axis between government, hospitals and private practitioners are in alignment and the messages Dr. Wisneski shares with us are uplifting indeed. Dr. Wisneski expresses that what policy makers, general healthcare providers, and the public need from us is a clear understanding of what our manual therapy is and how we can be an important and cost-effective integrative partner in the healthcare system.
Presentation is approximately 30 minutes.
Respectful Collaboration Research; Clients, Physician & CranioSacral Therapist
Nina Gronning, Heilpraktiker,
Frederik Vestergaard, Medical Doctor
Denmark
Nina Gronning, Heilpraktiker, and Frederik Vestergaard, Medical Doctor joined together to examine clients before and after their courses of treatment with CranioSacral Therapy, and share their observations from a manual therapist and a medical doctor's point of view. Research such as this is needed now to continue to help strengthen the bridge between the established healthcare system and complementary disciplines such as CranioSacral Therapy. Healthcare is challenged all over the globe. Chronic and complex conditions are affecting more people than ever before. New diseases and symptoms are constantly being discovered, and healthcare professionals and clients continue to seek new forms of treatment. Gronning and Vestergaard also discuss what they are currently exploring and what they are finding is important for the future collaboration.
A Journey Through the Years with
Dr. John E. Upledger and CranioSacral Therapy
This 45 minute video includes newsclips, intensive program footage, CranioSacral Therapy in pop culture, and other interesting pictures and videos with Dr. Upledger and CranioSacral Therapy over the years.
Access will be made available to all BTD 23 registrants.
Consciousness, Awareness, Quantum and Trance Part II
Hank Meldrum, PT, CST-D
This is Part II of Hank's presentation. He will share more aspects of perception, consciousness, awareness, trance, Default Mode Network, "quantum stuff", Intention. The "Unified Experience of Perception", blending and melding and their relevance to CranioSacral Therapy.
Presentation is approximately 30 minutes.