Cranial Movement and Strain Patterns

Question 1

Physiologic strain patterns

Answer 1

Torsion and sidebending rotation.

Question 2

Cranial torsion axis and rotation

Answer 2

occurs around 1 AP axis.

sphenoid and occiput rotate in opposite directions. orbit on the named side will be elevated.

Question 3

Etiology of torsion

Answer 3

hit from above or below anterior quadrant (front or cheek). or hit from above or below the posterior quadrant (parietal or occipital).

Question 4

Sidebending Rotation pattern axes and rotation

Answer 4

occurs around 3 axes (2 vertical, 1 AP)

sphenoid and occiput rotate in opposite directions around their parallel vertical axes. rotate same around AP axis.

Question 5

Birthing process

Answer 5

etiology of sidebending rotation strain pattern.

Question 6

Non-physiologic strains

Answer 6

vertical strains, lateral strains, SBS compression. do not occur during normal cranial motion. usually the result of trauma of some kind.

Question 7

Vertical strain

Answer 7

occurs around 2 horizontal axes. (sphenosqhamous, jugular process) named for the position of the body of the sphenoid relative to the base of the occiput.
- sphenoid and occiput rotate in the same direction around their axes

Question 8

superior vertical strain

Answer 8

sphenoid is in flexion, occiput is in extension.
cause: result of a downward blow posterior to the SBS or an upward blow anteiror to the SBS.

Question 9

superior vertical strain palpation

Answer 9

pts head is nodding inferiorly. superior strain is named for position of the base of the sphenoid. (simulate by sticking tongue out of mouth and toward chin).

Question 10

Inferior vertical strain

Answer 10

sphenoid in extension, occiput in flexion. occurs as a result of downward blow anterior to SBS or upward blow posterior to SBS. (simulate by sticking tongue out of mouth and up toward nose).

Question 11

Lateral strain

Answer 11

occurs as the result of a direct lateral blow.

• two vertical axes: one through foramen magnum and one through body of sphenoid.
• bones rotate in the same direction around their axes.

Question 12

Right lateral strain

Answer 12

lateral strain = “Parallelogram head” – wings of sphenoid move to the left while body of the sphenoid moves right.
- body of occiput moves to the left as the squama of the occiput moves to the right.

Question 13

Right lateral strain palpation

Answer 13

parallelogram head
- pt sticks tongue out of mouth and around left ear.

Question 14

SBS compression

Answer 14

non-physiologic strain patterrn named for relationship of the body of the sphenoid to the base of the occiput. compressed together. No axis of motion.

Question 15

SBS compression palpation

Answer 15

• general lack of motion in both phases
• decreased CRI amplitude

Question 16

SBS compression etiology

Answer 16

occurs as a result of the sphenoid and occiput being pushed together. blow to the forehead with force directed posteriorly and slightly inferiorly.