L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 33 L i s te n to
T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 33
In the Parietal Technique, the practitioner's gentle and sustained cephalad (upward) traction of the parietal
bones can provide respite from headaches, stress, or disquiet. Note no pressure is applied with the thumbs
to the top of the head. Images courtesy of Advanced-Trainings.com.
The Parietal
Technique
Indications
• Agitation, disquiet, stress
• Tension or migraine headaches
• Eye strain or fatigue
• TMJ, jaw, or cervical pain
Purpose
• Quiet and calm the autonomic
nervous system
• Produce a pleasurable somatic
experience
• Engender a sense of cranial
mobility
Instructions
1. Apply gentle, sustained cranial
(upward) traction to the parietal
bones.
2. Wait for an autonomic shift or a
softening sensation; this could
take 1–4 minutes.
3. Slowly release the traction;
remove your hands.
For More Learning
• "Migraines & Headaches"
(advanced-trainings.com/
product/headaches-migraines-
video) video in the Advanced
Myofascial Techniques series
of workshops, live-online, and
recorded video courses).
• Webinar: "Myofascial Techniques:
Working with Migraines" with Til
Luchau in the ABMP Education
Center (abmp.com/learn).
2
a sigh of relief or the subtle softening that
invariably comes when we're clear, gentle,
and patient enough.
Once you've felt this kind of response or
once a few minutes have gone by, you can
very slowly release your cranial traction.
The lingering effect is often one of relief
and spaciousness, not unlike the expansive
body-mind state we experience as we're
falling into sleep.
Use this simple technique as a
session opener to help your client slow
down and settle. Or use it as a closing
technique to end your sessions on a note
of verticality and quiet spaciousness.
Take some time to appreciate the pause
and simple pleasure it can bring to
your clients and to yourself.
Notes
1. Anne Jäkel and Philip von Hauenschild,
"A Systematic Review to Evaluate the
Clinical Benefi ts of Craniosacral Therapy,"
Complementary Therapies in Medicine
20, no. 6 (December 2012): 456 –65, https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2012.07.009.
2. Dimitrios C. Kostopoulos and George Keramidas,
"Changes in Elongation of Falx Cerebri During
Craniosacral Therapy Techniques Applied on
the Skull of an Embalmed Cadaver," CRANIO:
The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep
Practice 10, no. 1 (January 1992): 9–12, https://
doi.org/10.1080/08869634.1992.11677885.
Til Luchau is the author of Advanced
Myofascial Techniques (Handspring
Publishing), a Certifi ed Advanced Rolfer,
and a member of the Advanced-Trainings.
com faculty, which offers online learning
and in-person seminars throughout the
US and abroad. He and Whitney Lowe host
the ABMP-sponsored Thinking Practitioner
podcast. He invites questions or comments
via info@advanced-trainings.com and
Advanced-Trainings.com's Facebook page.
3
VIDEO: "PARIETAL LIFT
TECHNIQUE"
1. Open your camera
2. Scan the code
3. Tap on notification
4. Watch!
Watch Til's technique videos and read his past articles in the Massage & Bodywork
digital edition, available at massageandbodyworkdigital.com, abmp.com, and on the
Advanced-Trainings.com YouTube channel.
