Welcome to the Richard Royster Institute

Hi,I am
Dr. Richard Royster, and I would like to welcome you to our web site. I am the leader of this group of dedicated Cranial practioners. More about me later.But this visit is about you. Browse around and be sure sign-in to check out our resource bar. We are continually adding articles, stories, news,and research to keep you informed. You will also find a list of certified practioner who you can contact for your own cranial treatment. Be sure to check out our new Psychological skills for Bodyworkers training in 2010.
Dr. John and Dr. Rich: A little history
On the left of me, is my good friend Dr. John Upledger. D.O. We first met in Chicago in winter 1980. We have worked together at the Unity Center for Health and Education in West Palm Beach and later at the Upledger Institute after its founding in 1985. Together we developed the several courses in Acupuncture and CranioSacral therapy. Co-lead several trainings together and teachers trainings until 1990. These days I visit Dr. John often and we talk about the early days and of course play Jazz tunes.I must thank Dr. John for his invitation in 1980 to move to Florida and work together. Dr. John encouraged me to take SomatoEmotional Strategies and further develop the approach for use in the criminal justice system with victims and the families of murder victims. Also we worked with the dying, staff and families in Hospice Much of our shared clinical time was spent treating PTSD before it was fashionable. before moving to Florida I focused my cranial skills studying and treating head injuries including Chronic traumatic encephalopathy which is a progressive, neurogenerative disease similar to what we find in Boxers. I was a full contact Martial Arts Instructor at that time and student of Boxing until meeting Dr. John. He did require me to quit boxing and take up Jazz again. My family were Jazz Musicians with roots in New Orleans.