Craniosacral Motion Flashcards
Primary respiratory mechanism
CNS, CSF, dural membranes, cranial bones and sacrum
control and regulate pulmonary respiration, circulation, digestion, elimination
Inherent motility of brain and spinal cord
slow pulse-wavelike motion
brain and spinal cord lengthens and things during exhalation phase
shortens and thickens during inhalation phase
CRI
10-14 cycles/min
Decreased CRI
stress - emotional or physical
Depression
Chronic fatigue
Chronic infections
Increased CRI
vigorous physical exercise
systemic fever
following OMT to craniosacral mechanism
Movement of intracranial and intraspinal membranes
Dura mater - falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli
- projects caudally down spinal canal
- firm attachments to foramen magnum, C2, C3, S2
- Called reciprocal tension membrane
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
Involuntary mobility of sacrum between ilia
reciprocal tension membrane (dura) attaches to posterior superior aspect of second sacral segment - causes sacrum to move about superior transverse axis at S2
Sphenobasilar synchondrosis (SBS)
articulation of sphenoid with occiput
biphasic cycle - flexion and extension
SBS flexion
midline bones of cranium move into flexion phase as paired bones move through external rotation
Flexion of SBS pulls dural cephalad, moving sacral base posterior through superior transverse axis of sacrum (at S2) -> counternutation
head widens, decrease in AP diameter - Football head or Ernie head
SBS extension
midline bones move into extension phase, paired bones into internal rotation
dural falls caudad, sacrum moves anterior through superior transverse axis (at S2) -> nutation
head narrows, increased AP diameter - Bert head
Cranial Torsion
twisting of SBS - anterior and occiput move in opposite directions about AP axis from nasion to opisteon
Named for greater wing of sphenoid that is more superior
Thumb comes back to you on side it’s named
Cranial Sidebending/rotation
“crack egg, pour it out”
3 axes:
AP through SBS
2 parallel vertical axes - foramen magnum, center of sphenoid
Named for side of convexity
hands: fingers come in and up; down and out on side it’s named “Down and out in beverly hills”
Cranial Flexion/extension
extension lesion: SBS deviates caudad, decreased amount of flexion at SBS
Flexion lesion: SBS deviates cephalad, decreasing amount of extension at SBS
Transverse axis through sphenoid
Transverse axis superior to foramen magnum (jugular notch of occiput)
Hands: Flexion - caudad and fingers spread
Extension - cephalad, fingers closer together
Cranial Vertical strain
Sphenoid deviates cephalad - superior vertical strain
Sphenoid deviates caudad - inferior vertical strain
Rotation occur about two transverse axes, center of sphenoid and superior to occiput (foramen magnum)
Hands: Superior - both tip caudad
Inferior - both tip cephalad (thumb back - like the Fonz “hey”)
Cranial Lateral strain
sphenoid deviates laterally in relationship to occiput
Left deviation - left lateral strain
right deviation - right lateral strain
Two vertical axes - center of sphenoid, through foramen magnum
Parallelogram head
Hands: Left - left side sphenoid higher - both hands rotate to the right (clockwise)
Right - Right side sphenoid higher - both hands rotate left (counter clockwise)
Baseball to the right side of the head induces a left lateral strain
Cranial compression
sphenoid and occiput pushed together - blow to back of head
decrease in amplitude of flexion and extension components of CRI
if severe, CRI can be obliterated
Temporal bones
paired - internal and external rotation
Motion driven by occiput
Occiput moved into flexion -> external rotation and vice versa
cranial strains - temporal bones follow occiput
External rotation of one temporal bone will cause jaw deviation towards that side -> TMJ pain
Internal rotation closes eustachian bone
Fixed external rotation - roaring in ear
Conditions associated with temporal bone dysfunction
dizziness tinnitus OM TMJ HA Bell's palsy neuralgia
Goals of craniosacral treatment
reduce venous congestion
mobilize articular restrictions
balance the SBS
enhance the CRI
Venous sinus technique
increase venous flow
directly spread apart sutures of cranium overlying occipital, transverse and sagittal sinuses
CV4 - bulb decompression
enhance amplitude of CRI
first resist flexion phase, encouraging extension phase until still point, then allow normal flexion and extension to occur
Help fluid homeostasis
induce uterine contraction in post-date gravid women
Vault hold
Index: greater wing of sphenoid
Middle: temporal bone in front of ear
Ring: mastoid region of temporal bone
Little: squamous portion of occiput
V spread
separate restricted or impacted sutures
Lift technique
frontal and parietal lifts
aid in balance of membranous tension
Temporal rocking
TMJ tx
Indications for craniosacral tx
After birth of a child - facilitates bony remodeling of skull, avoid synostosis
Trauma to PRM - mild forces (orthodontics) or severe forces (MVA)
Dentristry - compromises PRM -> headaches, vertigo, TMJ dysfunction
Complications of cranial
headaches, tinnitus, dizziness
alter HR, BP, respiration, GI - N/V
Contraindication of cranial
Absolute: acute intracranial bleed or increased intracranial pressure, skull fracture
Relative: hx of seizure or dystonia; TBI
Vagus N.
exits jugular foramen
SD: temporal, occiput, OA, AA, C2
Sx assoc with SD: HA, arrhythmias, GI upset, respiratory problems
Physiologic cranial strain patterns
flexion/extension
torsion
sidebending and rotation
non physiologic cranial strain patterns
vertical strain
lateral strain
compression
Midline bones
Sphenoid
Occiput
Ethmoid
Vomer
Paired bones
Temporal
Parietal
Frontal
