In this course you will learn Cranial Osteopathy from a biomechanical approach to understanding & assessing the Cranial Mechanism  and well as learn to identify and treat Cranial Patterns of Dysfunction, Cranial Trauma & their Bodily Adaptations.


This is a Level I & Level II course with no pre-requisites other than being an accredited Osteopath / Manual Osteopathic Practitioner or another accredited Health Practitioner where Manual Therapy is an integral part of your scope of practice, including Athletic Therapists, Massage Therapist, Physiotherapists, or  Chiropractors. It is a pre-requisite for Treating the Obstetrical Patient Throughout all of the Stages of Pregnancy: an Osteopathic Approach as well as our Pediatric Osteopathy Certification Program .


This course is divided into two parts, with part one containing eight chapters and part two containing twelve chapters, for twenty chapters in total, along with hands-on homework assignments, quizes, as well as time devoted to your virtual mentoring with the course Instructor.




It contains dozens of demonstration videos as well as hands-on  practice assignments and is self paced, allowing you watch the videos as many times as you want and review the course material at your own pace. In part I, there are hands-on practice assignments to be completed, and at the end of several chapters in Part II. 

Although this course is self paced, we recommend that you plan to learn one chapter per week over twenty weeks, or approximately six months, taking breaks as you need, and with the intention to complete the entire course and submit your homework assignments before the end of your one year enrollment.


Each chapter contains instructional theory and videos, and homework assignments with are due at the end of the course in order to achieve a 30 hour Certificate of Completion.  You get access to the downloadable and printable Workbook immediately upon enrollment, as well as access to the Introductory chapters to help you get organized before starting this course.


Mentoring Sessions


Included in your enrollment are two one hour online Mentoring Sessions with your Instructor, Maureen "Hannah" Maher, who has over twenty years of clinical experience in Cranial Osteopathy and has been teaching this approach for over ten years as well. You also have the option of requesting additional mentoring sessions on an hourly basis either in person or online, depending on your location.  There is an hourly fee for additional mentoring sessions which can be explained to you by our Registration Coordinator at [email protected]




The Workbook


In Part 1 of this series, you will learn the important Anatomy, Physiology, and Biomechanics of the Cranial Mechanism.  You will begin to develop your palpation skills to locate each bone, suture, and whether each bone in the Cranial Mechanism has full Amplitude, and how to correct Restricted range of motion . An emphasis on Hand Placement and refining your palpation skills is taught through many instructional videos.  

In Part 2, you will learn about how cranial dysfunction related to maladaptive postural and decompensation patterns, how to identify them, as well as the classical cranial patterns of dysfunction including compaction, torsion, lateral and vertical strains, and side bending rotations.  Treatment protocols and strategies are provided for many of these patterns.  Your hands-on homework will require you to practice palpating for and identifying these important cranial patterns on various subjects, as well as providing one overall assessment and treatment plan for a subject presenting with a cranial patterns of dysfunction and related bodily postural adaptations.  This approach is in keeping with the Osteopathic philosophy of global overall bodily patterns of dysfunction and the importance of taking a global or holistic approach to successful treatment.

Please scroll down to read the course curriculum for detailed information.


Certificates of  Completion

Certificates of  Completion for 65 hours are awarded to Participants who complete the course by submitting all of the hands-on homework assignments, completing the quizzes and participating in the required live virtual Mentoring sessions.  Your Instructor will review all of your homework with you during one of the online Mentoring Sessions ask questions and provide feedback, a teaching approach that is used in in-person classes and is highly beneficial to students,

In the following days, you will receive your Certificate of Completion.  Certificates can be submitted to their respective associations for CPDs / CEUs or can be displayed in their clinics.

This course will entitle you to 65 continuing education hours, with the breakdown of 30 theory hours and 30 hands-on practice hours and three hours (two 90 minute sessions) of live Instructor contact through online Mentoring.



Who this course is for


This course is suitable for  all Osteopaths or Manual Therapist or Manual Osteopathic Practitioners  with an interest in learning and incorporating a BIOMECHANICAL APPROACH to Cranial Osteopathy into their practice.

  This course also contains an additional chapter for Registered Massage Therapists (RMT)  on how to incorporate Cranial Manual therapy into your Bodywork treatments.    

This course also prepares you for our Advanced Cranial Pathologies series (see below or visit the category "Cranial Osteopathy" for more information on these Advanced courses and the important subjects they address within the cranial field, such as vertigo, sinus congestion, concussions, TMS pain and more.  These course will be made available online in the coming years.

If you are a Manual Therapist who has never studied the tangible, BIOMECHANICAL MODEL of Cranial Osteopathy, and wish to take a more structured, anatomical approach to understanding the Cranial Mechanism and your clinical assessments, this course is also for you.  Practitioners who had only a cursory or brief overview of Cranial Osteopathy during their training would also benefit from taking this course  series.

For those Practitioners who have experience with the more energetic forms of Cranio-Sacral Treatment, such as Uppledger's Cranio-Sacral Model, or the Biodynamic Model, we respect your prior training because these models are  indeed useful when you desire a more energetic approach to healing.  

But  when you encounter specific symptom patterns related to dysfunctions within the anatomical functioning of the Cranial Mechanism, learning how to treat the Cranium from a more concrete, biomechanical perspective will provide more tangible and predictable results within your treatments.  

Students who have trained and even mastered these more energetic approaches will benefit greatly from this course, as it will round out and complete your education and understanding of the Cranium.


This course is a pre-requisite

This course is a pre-requisite for students who do not have a minimum of 65 classroom hours on all of the subjects covered in this course and do not have training in a biomechanical model of Cranial Osteopathy who wish to enroll in  the following online courses:   

Pediatric Osteopathy Certification Program

Treating the Obstetrical Patient Throughout All Of The Stages of Pregnancy: an Osteopathic Approach 

If you are unsure if your prior training exempts you from taking this pre-requisite please review the course curriculum below and contact the Instructor before enrolling at [email protected]



What this course contains

Each chapter contains audio explanations with images as well as video demonstrations of the concepts and palpation techniques for each chapter, as well as homework practice assignments.  

Unique Assessment Sheets and Clinical Practice Sheets for beginners, all designed by the Instructor are included, and more.  These tools help you learn how to palpate for and diagnose each component of the Cranial Mechanism in a step by step manner that takes the guesswork out of palpation and diagnosis.  This learning approach was designed by Maureen Hannah Maher, the course Instructor, and Cranial Osteopath for over fifteen years. 



What you will need


Access to a printer to print the Workbook and Worksheets for your hands-on practice homework assignments.

You will also need to order a practice doll like the one you see in the image below:  


What you get

A download able and printable version of the Workbook. 

Three hours of one on one Mentoring with your Instructor

Certificates of  Completion are awarded to Participants who complete the course.  Certificates can be submitted to their respective associations for CPDs / CEUs or can be displayed in their clinics. 

Join us online and learn how Cranial Osteopathy can be incorporated into your Bodywork practice today!

Have a question about this course ?  Did you read the course curriculum?  If you still have a question, please feel free to email the Instructor at [email protected] 


Please email us at [email protected] if you wish to use an alternate payment method to enroll such as an eTransfer.

 

Here is what some students are saying about this course:

"I learned alot!  My clients are really loving the results I am giving them.  They often say they feel very relaxed.  I only wish I could treat myself!"

Lucia, Toronto, Canada

"This course so far has given me really clear plans on how to assess and treat specific areas."

Carly, UK

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Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction & Overview with your Instructor

  • 2

    Chapter 1: The Fundamental Concepts of Cranial Osteopathy

    • Meet the Father of Cranial Osteopathy William Garner Sutherland, D.O.

    • How this Discovery Happened and Why its Important

    • How Cranial Osteopathy relates to the History of CranioSacral Therapy

    • How "form determines function" applies to Cranial Osteopathy

    • Quiz - Learning History & Concepts
  • 3

    Chapter 2. The Cranial Bones

    • Introduction to this Chapter

    • Using the Practice Chart

    • Video Demonstration - Overview of the Cranial Bones

    • Video Demonstration - The Occiput

    • Video Demonstration - The Frontal Bone

    • Video Demonstration - The Sphenoid

    • Video Demonstration - The Temporal Bones

    • Video Demonstration - The Parietal Bones

    • Locating the Frontal Bone on your Model

    • Locating the Sphenoid Bone on your Model

    • Grasping the Temporal Bones on your Model

    • Contacting the Occiput on your Model

    • Instructions how to complete homework

    • DOWNLOAD: Practice Chart Anatomy of the Cranial Bones

    • DOWNLOAD: The Cranial Bones

    • Quiz - Learning about Cranial Bones

    • Have you completed the homework assignment for this chapter?
  • 4

    Chapter 3: The Cranial Sutures

    • Is a Suture a Joint?

    • Why are sutures so important anyway?

    • Cranial Suture Anatomy

    • What's in an Name? Locating and Naming the Suture

    • Upper View of the Cranial Sutures

    • Posterior View of the Cranial Sutures

    • Common examples of suture pathology & their role in Cranial Dysfunctions

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: locating the sutures

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: locating the Occipito-Temporal Suture

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: locating the sutures - posterior view

    • Instructions for Treating Suture Compaction with the V Spread Technique

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION Treating Suture Compaction with the V-Spread Technique

    • Instructions how to complete homework

    • HOMEWORK & DOWNLOAD: Practicing Suture Anatomy

    • HOMEWORK & DOWNLOAD: Instructions for Treating Suture Compaction

    • Quiz - Learning about Sutures

    • Have you completed the homework assignment for this chapter?
  • 5

    Chapter 4: The Cranial Meninges

    • Meninges ? Another word for Cranial Connective Tissue

    • The Structure of the Cranial Meninges

    • What do they do? Functional Anatomy of Cranial Meninges

    • The Inter-Dependent Role of Meninges from an Osteopathic Perspective

    • The Role of Meninges in the Cranio-Sacral System

    • The Concept of Reciprocal Tension Membranes

    • The Falx Cerebri and the Tentorium Cerebelli

    • When to use the Vault Holds to treat the Meninges

    • The Vault Hold and Treating the Cranial Meninges

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Global Vault Hold in Treating the Cranial Meninges

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Superior Vault Hold to Treat the Parietal Region

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION - Occipital Vault Hold to Release the Tentorium Cerebelli & Brainstem

    • Instructions how to complete homework

    • HOMEWORK & DOWNLOAD: Practicing the Vault Hold Procedures in Treating Cranial Meninges

    • Quiz - Learning about Cranial Connective Tissue

    • Have you completed the homework assignment for this chapter?
  • 6

    Chapter 5: The Primary Respiratory Mechanism

    • The Primary Respiratory Mechanism according to Sutherland

    • What purpose does the CerebroSpinal Fluid serve ?

    • Why is the discovery of the Primary Respiratory Mechanism important for Osteopathy?

    • What is the Cranial Rhythmic Impulse ?

    • How the Primary Respiratory Mechanism Works

    • What is the Sphenobasilar Symphysis ?

    • What happens during Flexion ?

    • What happens during Extension ?

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION Global Movement of the SSB in Flexion and Extension

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION - Palpation & Hand Placement of Occiput & Sphenoid in Flexion and Extension (SSB)

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION - Palpation & Hand Placement of Frontal in Flexion and Extension

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION - Palpation & Hand Placement of Temporals in Flexion and Extension (Side View)

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION - Palpation & Hand Placement of Temporals in Flexion and Extension ( Top View)

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION - Palpation & Hand Placement of PARIETALS in Flexion and Extension

    • HOMEWORK & DOWNLOAD: Practicing Palpating for the Cranial Rhythmic Movement

    • Quiz - Learning about the Primary Respiratory Mechanism

    • Have you completed the homework assignment for this chapter?
  • 7

    Chapter 6. Learning to Assess the Amplitude of Cranial Rhythms

    • What is Amplitude of the Cranial Rhythm?

    • Other Aspects of the Cranial Rhythm

    • What does Full Amplitude of the SSB feel like ?

    • What is Restricted Range of Motion?

    • Learning what Restricted Range of Motion feels like

    • Video Demonstration - Step 1. Palpate for Amplitude of the Sphenoid

    • Video Demonstration - Step 2. Palpate for Amplitude of the Sphenoid & Occiput

    • Video Demonstration - Step 3. Palpate for Amplitude of the Frontal & Occiput

    • Video Demonstration - Step 4. Palpate for Amplitude of the Temporals

    • Video Demonstration - Step 5. Palpate for Amplitude of the Parietals

    • VIDEO - Introduction with your Instructor

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION Overall Palpation Assessment on a Live Model

    • HOMEWORK: Learning to Palpate the Cranium Rhythm Phases of Flexion & Extension & Restricted Amplitude

    • Quiz - Learning to Assess the Primary Respiratory Mechanism

    • Have you completed the homework assignment for this chapter?
  • 8

    Chapter 7: The Cranial Venous Sinus System (CVSS)

    • What is a Cranial Sinus and why are they Important to Cranial Osteopathy?

    • What is a Cranial Sinus and why are they important to Cranial Osteopathy?

    • A Flowing System: the Structure of Venous Sinuses

    • What's a Ventricle? Locating the Ventricles of the Brain

    • A Summary of the 3rd and 4th ventricles Role in Intra-Cranial Congestion

    • Lets review the Main areas of Drainage of the Cranial Venous Sinus System

    • Examples of Functional Pathologies of the Venous Sinus System

    • Health Benefits of CV4 Technique

    • Palpation Protocol for Dysfunctions of the Venous Sinus System

    • VIDEO - Introduction with your Instructor

    • VIDEO DEMONSTRATION Palpating for Dysfunctions of the Venous Sinus System & using the CV4 Technique

    • HOMEWORK & DOWNLOAD: Practice Protocol to for Identifying Dysfunctions the Cranial Venous Sinus System on a Patient

    • Quiz - Learning about the Cranial Venous Sinus System

    • Have you completed the homework assignment for this chapter?
  • 9

    Chapter 8: The Cranial Osteopathy Assessments & Charting

    • The Question of Treatment Interval for Cranial Dysfunctions

    • The Cranial Osteopathy Assessment Chart & the Advantages of Using a Charting Method in your Practice

    • Using the Cranial Diagram

    • Charting the SphenoBasilary Symphesis - Optional Chart

    • Homework & What Your Goals Should Be

    • Homework Formats Available for Download

    • Homework #1: Anatomy of the Cranial Bones

    • Homework #2: Name the Suture

    • Homework chapter #3: Treating Suture Compaction

    • HOMEWORK #4: Practicing the Vault Hold Procedures in Treating Cranial Meninges

    • HOMEWORK #5: Practicing Palpating for the Cranial Rhythmic Movement

    • HOMEWORK #6: Learning to Palpate the Cranium Rhythm Phases of Flexion & Extension & Restricted Amplitude

    • HOMEWORK #7: Practice Protocol to for Identifying Dysfunctions the Cranial Venous Sinus System on a Patient

    • HOMEWORK & DOWNLOAD: Using the Chart to Assess the Spheno-Basilary Symphesis

    • Where & How to Submit your Homework

    • Reminder: Are you taking this course as a pre-requisite?
  • 10

    Your Mentoring session for Section CR1

    • How to schedule your mentoring session
  • 11

    WELCOME TO SECTION CR 2

    • WELCOME TO SECTION CR 2

    • Introduction with your Instructor EDIT audio volume & speed

    • EDIT AUDIO REMOVE BEG Why are Patterns a Useful Way to Assess and Treat Cranial Dysfunctions?

  • 12

    Ch 9. Postural Issues & How they Relate to Cranial Dysfunctions

    • VIDEO Intro with Instructor - Postural Adaptations & Cranial Dysfunctions

    • How Cranial Patterns of Dysfunction Relate to Postural Patterns of Adaptation

    • Forward head posture as a form of cranial adaptation

    • Cranial Patterns of Dysfunction and Myofascial Imbalances

    • The Mechanics of How Cranial Patterns Caused by Head Misalignment

    • Examples of Cranial Patterns as Primary Lesions

    • The Importance of Treating Cranial Patterns as Secondary Lesions

    • The Boomerang Effect of Secondary Lesions
  • 13

    Chapter 10. An Overview of Cranial Dysfunctions

    • An Overview of Cranial Dysfunctions

    • Intro with Instructor - Common Causes of Cranial Dysfunctions

    • Quiz Postural Adaptation & Cranial Patterns of Dysfunction

  • 14

    Chapter 11. Learning all about Compactions

    • Video Discussion with your Instructor about the Various Cranial Patterns of Dysfunction EDIT AUDIO QUALITY

    • You will need your Practice Skull

    • Learning all about Compactions

    • Video Discussion with your Instructor about Compactions

    • What are the clinical signs of a Compaction?

    • What are the symptoms of a Compaction?

    • What are some common causes of Compactions?

    • Goal of Treatment of Compactions

    • Cranial Charting a Compaction

    • Cranial Chart with Right Frontal Compaction

    • Cranial Chart with Left Side Compaction
  • 15

    Chapter 12. Learning all about "Fixed in Flexion"

    • Video Discussion with your Instructor: Cranial Pattern of Fixed in Flexion

    • What are the clinical signs of a cranium that is Fixed in Flexion?

    • Fixed in Flexion in Childhood

    • Cranial Charting Fixed in Flexion

    • Overview Goal of Treatment: Reduce Flexion

    • Goal of Treatment when Correcting Fixed in Flexion

    • Treating Fixed in Flexion (additional to video)

    • New Lesson Treatment of Fixed in Flexion

  • 16

    Chapter 13. Learning all about Fixed in Extension

    • Learning all about Fixed in Extension

    • Video Discussion with Your Instructor: Cranial Pattern of Fixed in Extension

    • What is Fixed in Extension?

    • What are the clinical signs of being fixed in extension?

    • What are the symptoms of being fixed in extension?

    • What are some common causes of being Fixed in Extension?

    • Fixed in Extension in Childhood

    • Goal of Treatment of being Fixed in Extension?

    • Quiz Flexion, extension and compaction

    • ADD ONSTRUCTIONS Homework assessing & Correcting Compaction, Fixed in Flexion, or Fixed in Extension
  • 17

    Chapter 14. Learning all about Torsions

    • Video Discussion: Cranial Pattern of Torsions

    • What is a Torsion?

    • What is a Right SBS Torsion ?

    • What is a Left SBS Torsion ?

    • What are the Visual Cues of a Torsion?

    • What are the Energetic Signs of a Torsion?

    • What are the Symptoms of a Torsion ?

    • Common Causes of Cranial Torsions as Primary Lesions
  • 18

    Chapter 15. Learning all about Lateral & Vertical Strains

    • Video Discussion with your Instructor about Lateral & Vertical Strains

    • What is a Strain?

    • What is a Lateral Strain ?

    • What is a Right Lateral Strain ?

    • What is a Right Lateral Strain ?

    • What is a Left Lateral Strain ?

    • What are the Visual Cues of a Vertical Strain?

    • What are the Clinical Symptoms of a Strain ?

    • What are Some Common Causes of Vertical Strains?

    • Some Causes of Vertical Strains Resulting from Impact Injury

    • Clinical Signs of Lateral and Vertical Strains

    • Goal of Treatment for Correcting Strains

    • Technique # 1 to Reduce Lateral Strains

    • Technique #2 to Reduce Vertical Strains

    • Suggested Protocol when Correcting a Strain
  • 19

    Chapter 16. Learning all about Side Bending Rotations

    • Learning all about Side Bending Rotations

    • Video Discussion with your Instructor about Side Bending Rotations

    • What is a Side Bending Rotation ?

    • The Visual Cues of a Side Bending Rotation

    • What are the clinical signs of a side bending rotation?

    • What does a Right Side-Bending Rotation feel like?

    • What does a Left Side-Bending Rotation feel like?

    • Possible Causes of a Side Bending Rotation

    • What are the symptoms of a side bending rotation?

    • Cranial Charting a Side Bending Rotation

    • Treatment Priorities for Side Bending Rotations

    • Suggested Protocol when Correcting a Side Bending Rotation

    • Indirect Approaches to Treating a Side Bending Rotation

    • Side Bending Rotations and Dental Mal Occlusions

    • Quiz Torsions, Strains & Side Bending Rotations
  • 20

    Chapter 17 Interviewing & Performing a Cranial Assessment for Possible Pattern of Dysfunction

    • DEMONSTRATION VIDEO - Client Interview & Assessment

    • DEMONSTRATION VIDEO: Client Interview for Health History Potential Indications of Cranial Dysfunction

    • DEMONSTRATION VIDEO: Assessing a Client for Any Pattern of Dysfunction
  • 21

    Homework Downloads

    • Download for Homework #1

    • HANDS ON HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #2

    • Download for Homework #2

    • HANDS ON HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #3 - Cranial Dysfunctions & Postural Imbalances

    • Download for Homework #3

    • Instructions for Submitting your Homework
  • 22

    Mentoring session for section CR 2

    • How to schedule your mentoring session
  • 23

    About your Instructor

    • Maureen Norah Maher, BA, DO(Qc), DO(MP) Osteopath Practitioner and Educator

About the instructor

Educational Director & Instructor

Maureen Hannah Maher

Since Maureen began teaching, she found that not only does she have a natural gift for it (her parents were both teachers, so let hear it for genetics!), she found that she also holds a great desire to give back to the community and a profession that has been so fulfilling to her, and share over twenty years of acquired experience and knowledge.   Maureen brings extensive knowledge in Osteopathy  to her educational seminars.  Throughout her career which began in Montreal in 2003, Maureen has been an accredited member in good standing in several provinces across Canada, including the CPMDQ (Quebec), OsteopathyBC (British Columbia), OFOP (Ontario) and SCMMAC (Quebec). Like many classically trained Manual Osteopaths in Canada, Maureen wrote a thesis as part of her Osteopathy training. Hers was within the field of Cranial Osteopathy, on the Prevalence of Muscle and Myofascial Chain Link Dysfunctions and the Temporal Bone. Maureen was also an Associate Overseas member of the Australian Osteopathic Association (AOA) from 2008 to 2011.  After undergoing accreditation evaluation for foreign trained Osteopaths in Perth, Western Australia, Maureen was offered a position in one of Singapore's leading Osteopathic Clinics, giving her the distinction of having been the first Canadian trained Osteopath to be approved to practice  in South East Asia.   Right before the worldwide economic collapse in 2010, Maureen was offered a position in Shanghai China, which required accreditation with the GOSC, UK, which she began, but as prevailing economic conditions worsened, the position was put on hold, and Maureen decided instead to settled in Toronto, Canada, where after reluctantly accepting a poorly paid teaching contract, her students began asking her to design courses in more specialized subjects within Osteopathy, including Women's Health and Pediatrics.  It was not long after that Maureen founded the Center for Continuing Education of Osteopathy & Manual Therapy where she continued to innovate every day! Today, Maureen still teaches continuing education courses in specialized fields of Osteopathic Manual Therapy. Her students say that Maureen's teaching style is animated, engaging, but most importantly, informative.  Her gift lies in communicating complex theories in simple terms and analogies.  Her students come away with a clear grasp of Osteopathic concepts for treatment, and practical knowledge of how to apply them.  In more recent years, Maureen has created online versions of some of her most popular courses, and it is thanks to this new era of online learning that Osteopaths throughout Canada and throughout the world have been able to use Maureen's teachings and treatment protocols to help women, infants, and the general public find relief from the bodily dysfunctions that are so amenable to osteopathic manual treatments. Practitioners who enroll in any of our continuing education courses can contact Maureen at any time by email or pre-arranged phone call with clinical questions.  As a result, many Osteopaths worldwide still consult with her today regarding challenging Osteopathy cases.