A cranial osteopath is an osteopathic physician and surgeon in the United States. In other countries, the osteopathic physician has a limited license. He or she diagnoses the patient wholistically, body, mind and spirit with particular detail to the musculoskeletal system and the cranial sacral mechanism in particular. The cranial sacral mechanism is a dynamic force within the living human body. It is the Qi or energy of the central nervous system that is reflected throughout the rest of the body.
Cranial osteopathy is a sub-specialty within osteopathic manipulative medicine.
It has a unique defined body of knowledge, educational requirements and specific diagnostic treatment procedures that are part and parcel of a complete osteopathic manipulative medicine specialist practice. Diligent study of anatomy, physiology and pathology is required to become a cranial osteopath. Osteopathic Medical Schools Osteopathic medical schools teach courses in all branches of medicine and surgery in the United States and various manipulative techniques. It takes four years of training in osteopathic medical schools in the United States. Most D.O.'s seek additional training in cranial osteopathy after graduation.