Cranial pumping
Techniques that gently influence cranial motion to support a balanced craniosacral rhythm and healthy fluid flow.
Upledger Craniosacral Therapy
The 10-Step Protocol for Craniosacral Therapy in New York City
Developed by Dr. John Upledger, the craniosacral therapy 10-step protocol is the foundational template that helps practitioners apply gentle, effective techniques in a safe, repeatable sequence. At our Midtown Manhattan office, it shapes the careful, hands-on care Dr. Alex Kaminsky, D.C., offers children and adults.
Certified Craniosacral Therapist · treating patients for over 25 years · Midtown Manhattan
Gentle, non-invasive care that supports lymphatic, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood flow while helping the body release holding patterns and restore comfortable function.
Gentle foundation
A reliable sequence introduced in early CST training (CS1) and used throughout a practitioner's career.
Supports physiology
Encourages lymphatic, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood flow to help the body recalibrate.
Builds experience
Repetition refines touch, intuition, and clinical decision-making over time.
Patient-centered
Delivers gentle, non-threatening care tailored to each individual person.
Protocol overview
What the craniosacral therapy 10-step protocol is
The 10-step protocol is a methodical, time-tested approach to craniosacral therapy (CST). It was developed by osteopathic physician Dr. John Upledger, taught at the first Upledger seminar (CS1), and remains a core component of craniosacral training today. The sequence gives practitioners a clear, dependable framework so they can apply gentle craniosacral techniques with confidence and consistency.
Rather than a rigid checklist, the protocol is a foundation. It organizes light, attentive touch into a logical order that respects the body's own pace. In our Midtown Manhattan office, this same structure underlies the calm, unhurried sessions Dr. Kaminsky provides to infants, children, teens, and adults.
What the protocol is designed to do
- Apply gentle craniosacral techniques in a reproducible, easy-to-follow sequence.
- Promote lymphatic, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood flow to encourage the body's own correction.
- Help release holding patterns with skilled touch to support function and ease discomfort.
- Provide a safe, non-threatening experience for both the patient and the therapist.
- Build practitioner skill through repetition while adapting to each patient's needs.
As experience grows, practitioners often adapt the sequence to meet individual needs while retaining the core intent of the protocol. The framework stays the same; the application becomes more responsive and refined.
The 10 steps at a glance
- Finding the Still Point.
- Releasing the diaphragms.
- Frontal lift.
- Parietal lift.
- Sphenobasilar compression-decompression.
- Temporal techniques.
- Temporal decompression.
- TMJ compression and decompression.
- Dural tube evaluation.
- Return to Still Point (CV-4).
You can read more about how these methods fit into the bigger picture on our craniosacral therapy overview and our guide to the techniques used in the practice.
Craniosacral therapy is gentle, non-invasive, complementary care. It does not diagnose, cure, or replace medical treatment, and individual results vary. If you have a specific health concern, please consult your physician for diagnosis and for any warning signs.
Focused care
A gentle, mindful approach
Craniosacral therapy relies on subtle, attentive touch rather than force. Within the 10-step framework, the practitioner facilitates the body's own responses — including myofascial release and somato-emotional release — while maintaining an atmosphere of calm focus, gratitude, and patient-centered care.
- Hands-on techniques emphasize safety, ease, and the patient's comfort throughout.
- Connection to the craniosacral rhythm guides each therapeutic decision.
- Mindful presence supports emotional as well as physical restoration.
Two of the responses the protocol can help facilitate have dedicated approaches of their own: myofascial release for soft-tissue restriction and somato emotional release for patterns linked to stored experience.
Practitioner growth
Why repetition matters
Repeated use of the 10-step protocol strengthens palpation skills and clinical insight, so therapists can adjust techniques as a patient's needs evolve. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Kaminsky reads the body's subtle cues and responds with care.
The protocol is a starting point: with practice, foundational steps are blended with advanced methods to offer individualized, gentle care. Continued learning through courses such as CS2, SER1, SER2, ADV1, and ADV2 deepens proficiency and expands the therapeutic options available to each patient.
An integral protocol element
Still Point induction
First recorded by Dr. Upledger's assistant, Dr. Zvi Karni, Still Point induction is part of the 10-step protocol. A Still Point is a brief, encouraged pause in the craniosacral rhythm, and people often notice gentle physiological shifts as it unfolds.
What people may notice
- Muscle tension often softens, breathing tends to become smoother, and discomfort may ease.
- Symmetry and range of motion can improve as the craniosacral system recalibrates.
- A Still Point can be induced from the head, the sacrum, or other areas by following the body's ease of motion.
- It is repeatable during a session, though typically no more than ten repetitions are needed.
After a Still Point, the therapist monitors the renewed craniosacral rhythm to confirm improved motion patterns before moving on to the next step in the sequence.
An important safety note. Still Point induction is contraindicated in cases of intracranial hemorrhage and cranial aneurysm. For this reason a careful health history is always taken before any hands-on work begins. Craniosacral therapy is gentle, complementary care and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment — please seek prompt medical attention for warning signs such as sudden severe headache, head injury, vision changes, or neurological symptoms.
Beyond the basics
Advanced craniosacral methods
As training progresses, therapists incorporate more specialized techniques to meet individual needs and expand the therapeutic value of care.
Patients are often invited to notice their own craniosacral rhythm, deepening awareness and engagement in the process.
Mouth work
Targeted intraoral techniques that address restrictions affecting cranial, fascial, and jaw dynamics.
Somato emotional release
Helps the body process and release unaddressed emotional experiences linked to physical patterns.
Discover SER +
Myofascial release
Soft-tissue techniques that ease trigger points and adhesions, restoring balanced muscular function.
Explore MFR +
Arcing & dialoguing
Methods such as arcing, positional release, and therapeutic dialoguing that refine assessment and care.
Patient awareness
Guiding patients to feel their own craniosacral rhythm, strengthening participation and insight during care.
Common questions
10-step protocol FAQ
What is the craniosacral therapy 10-step protocol?
It is a foundational sequence of gentle, hands-on craniosacral techniques developed by Dr. John Upledger and taught at the first Upledger seminar (CS1). It gives practitioners a safe, repeatable framework for applying CST.
Who developed the 10-step protocol?
Osteopathic physician Dr. John Upledger developed and taught the protocol. It is presented at the introductory Upledger CS1 course and remains a core part of craniosacral training.
Is the 10-step protocol gentle and safe?
Yes. The techniques use light, attentive touch and are designed to be non-invasive and non-threatening for both the patient and the therapist. Still Point induction, however, is contraindicated in cases of intracranial hemorrhage and cranial aneurysm, so a thorough history is taken first.
What is a Still Point?
A Still Point is a brief pause in the craniosacral rhythm that therapists can gently encourage. It was first recorded by Dr. Upledger's assistant, Dr. Zvi Karni, and is part of the 10-step protocol. People often notice softer muscle tension and smoother breathing afterward.
Do you follow the protocol exactly every time?
The 10-step protocol is a starting point. As experience grows, Dr. Kaminsky adapts the sequence to each person's needs while keeping the core intent of the protocol, and may add advanced methods when appropriate.
Does the 10-step protocol replace medical care?
No. Craniosacral therapy is gentle and complementary care. It does not diagnose, cure, or replace medical treatment, and results vary from person to person. Always consult a physician for warning signs or a medical diagnosis.
Schedule a visit
Ready to discuss gentle craniosacral care?
Call the office or send a request and the practice will follow up to discuss your questions, availability, and next steps. Care is offered for infants, children, teens, and adults in one calm Midtown Manhattan setting.