1932-2012
Dr. John E. Upledger gained worldwide recognition for his pioneering achievements in the field of manual therapy, particularly CranioSacral Therapy. He served on the Advisory Board of the Alternative Medicine Program at the Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institute of Health in Washington, and his name appeared in TIME magazine as one of America's "Next Wave of Innovators" for his documented clinical application of CranioSacral Therapy.
Trained as a surgeon and clinical researcher, Dr. John E. Upledger conducted in-depth studies in the field of cranial manipulation, inspired by his observation of the rhythmic movement of the dura mater during a patient’s neck surgery in the early 1970s. After extensive research, Dr. Upledger formulated the theory that cranial bones move throughout adult life- a concept previously accepted only in the case of infants
Dr. Upledger's curiosity about this controversial subject led him to work with a team of anatomists, physiologists, biophysicists, and bioengineers at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University, where he served as a professor of biomechanics and clinical researcher from 1975 to 1983. The team, led by Upledger, was tasked with proving or disproving the fundamental premise of cranial manipulation techniques: the movement of the cranial bones.
Through the study of fresh cranial bone samples using various testing methods, Dr. Upledger's team confirmed the existence of cranial bone movement and obtained precise measurements of the frequency and amplitude of this movement. Further research led to the hypothesis that the dura mater and cerebrospinal fluid are integrated and form the craniosacral system. Techniques for assessing and treating the meningeal membranes were primarily developed by Dr. Upledger, distinguishing CranioSacral Therapy from other cranial techniques. It was Dr. Upledger who, in the 1970s, introduced the now widely used term "CranioSacral Therapy" into common practice.
Dr. Upledger's clinical successes in alleviating pain and dysfunction in patients using CranioSacral Therapy led to the establishment of the Upledger Institute in 1985, based in Palm Beach, Florida.
For 25 years, his right-hand man was his son, John Matthew Upledger (1960-2017), a talented entrepreneur and charismatic leader who, at a very young age, advanced to the position of CEO of the Institute's training programs. Together with his father, they started a foundation, a clinic in Palm Beach, Florida, as well as the International Alliance of Healthcare Educators (IAHE) and the International Association of Healthcare Practitioners (IAHP), which now has over 125,000 members.
During his decades-long career, Dr. Upledger wrote and published eight books, in which he detailed the application of CranioSacral Therapy, SomatoEmotional Release®, and presented case studies demonstrating their effectiveness.
Therapists trained at the Upledger Institute include approximately 150,000 healthcare practitioners from over 122 countries.
At the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Missouri, where John Upledger graduated, there are the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine and the International Center for Osteopathic History. In tribute to Dr. John E. Upledger's contributions to the field of osteopathic medicine, an exhibit was created there, featuring his books, research photos, and personal items. Part of Dr. John E. Upledger's ashes rest in the famous Forest-Llewellyn Cemetery in Kirksville, Missouri, the same cemetery where A.T. Still, the father of osteopathy, is buried.
