7 - Cranial Strain Patterns (Sandhouse)

Question 1

For a vertical strain. What is the axis? Movement? How are they named (e.g. superior strain)?

Answer 1

Axis: two parallel transverse axes

Movement Sphenoid and Occiput (S&O) move in the SAME CLOCKWISE direction

Named: Direction of the BASE of SPHENOID (superior or inferior)

Question 2

For a lateral strain. What is the axis? Movement? How are they named (e.g. left lateral strain)?

Answer 2

Axes: 2 parallel vertical axes

Movement: Sphenoid and Occiput (S&O) move in SAME clockwise direction

Named: Position of the BASE of the SPHENOID (if sphenoid to left = left lateral strain, etc.) [This is OPPOSITE to the wings of the Sphenoid]

Question 3

For a torsion strain. What is the axis? Movement? How are they named (e.g. right torsion) ?

Answer 3

Axis: One AP axis (antero-posterior)

Movement: Sphenoid and Occiput (S&O) move in OPPOSITE directions

Named: for the higher (more cephalad) greater wing of the sphenoid. Right torsion have your hand rotated backward.

Question 4

For a Sidebending & Rotation Strains:

What is the axis? Movement? How are they named (e.g. right torsion) ?

Answer 4

Sidebending: S&O move in OPPOSITE direction about two parallel vertical axis

Rotation: S&O move in SAME direction about one AP axis

Named: Side of Convexity (left sidebending/rotation has left convex head)

Question 5

What are the 5 principles of PRM?

Answer 5

1) fluctuation of CSF
2) Inherent MOTILITY of CNS
3) MOBILITY of intracranial and intraspinal membranes
4) Articular mobility of cranial bones
5) Involuntary mobility of Sacrum between illa

Question 6

When you are doing “air hands” in vault hold. What happens to your index and pinky in flexion?

Answer 6

Index and Pinky move DOWN AND OUT

[I ain’t flexible! let’s kick that pinky down and out!]

Question 7

When you are doing “air hands” in vault hold. What happens to your index and pinky in extension?

Answer 7

Fingers move UP and TOGETHER

[Are you going to extend up to put those pinky balloons together?]

Question 8

For a Right Sidebending/Rotating Strain, how does the head appear?

Answer 8

Convex or fuller on the right with a DOWNWARD tilt toward the right.

Question 9

Which is Dr. Sandhouse’s favorite way to treat strain?

a) Balanced Membranous Tension (BMT)
b) Exaggeration
c) Disengagement
d) Direct Articular Release
e) Respiratory Cooperation
f) CSF Fluctuation

Answer 9

a) Balanced Membranous Tension (BMT)