Facilitated Segment & T4 Syndrome Flashcards
What is meant by a ‘Segment’?
The area where two vertebrae meet, with nerve fibres passing in and out through the intervertebral foramina
What is meant by ‘Facilitation’?
Facilitation indicates the segment, associated nerves and structures are in a reactive state and are more easily activated - a weakness in the system, a vicious circle of symptoms
How can you confirm a facilitated segment on the patient?
The surrounding muscles may be tight and the local skin slightly tender
How do segments become facilitated?
Typically a chronic injury, a vertebral restriction or as a result of a persistent nervous system input from any of the structures feeding into that segment, causing a reflex arc
Give examples of how a facilitated segment could be activated?
- Lifting something heavy
- Turning awkwardly
- Eating a certain type of food
- Inhaling pollen or any other air born sensitiser
- Stress
- Excitement
- A minor injury or illness
What can activate a facilitated segment?
Local factors feeding directly into the segment and any factor that disturbs the balance of the system - structural, postural, visceral, emotional etc.
How might a patient report a facilitated segment
An area of repeatedly or persistent symptoms, often triggered by no identifiable cause
What should you consider before addressing a facilitated segment?
- To what extent is the facilitated segment itself resolvable?
- To what extent are current symptoms arising from the facilitated segment?
- To what extent is the current activation of the facilitated segment being activated by factors from elsewhere?
What is the first priority before treating a facilitated segment?
Identify any new or current input from elsewhere and address that; reducing the strain on the area and ease symptoms
Why is it NOT a good idea to treat the local symptomatic area of a deeply embedded facilitated segment, which is being activated by factors from elsewhere, ?
It will add further input into an already facilitated area and activate further facilitation, potentially aggravating symptoms
How should you treat a facilitated segment?
Identify and address input factors throughout the whole person on every level and allow the cranio-sacral process to reintegrate the whole system through its inner wisdom
At which vertebral levels do facilitated segments most commonly occur?
T4, T9, T12 - The classic mechanical pivots
What could cause a facilitated segment in the upper cervical spine?
head injury, neck injury, strenuous birth
What symptoms could indicate a cervical spine facilitated segment?
Headaches, migraines, visual disturbances, feelings of tightness, pressure, congestion and vagueness in the head
What symptoms might you expect from a facilitated segment at T9?
Hyperactivity, stress and pressure, and overstimulation of the whole ANS through over-secretion of adrenalin from the adrenal glands
Is it possible for the whole system to become facilitated?
Yes - for example from multiple injuries from a car accident, combined with chronic stress and shock
What is T4 Syndrome?
A facilitated segment at T4
Why is T4 significant?
T4 is the most common areas of facilitation
T4 is the most significant mechanical pivot, the junction between the upper triangle and lower triangle
T4 is the place in the body where all the mechanical stresses and strains tend to gravitate
What if fed by sympathetic supply from T4?
Heart and lungs
What conditions are associated with T4 syndrome?
Asthma, many lung conditions, heart palpitations, emotional reactions, to severe cardiac pathology
Which plexi are T4 associated with?
Cardiac and pulmonary sympathetic plexi
What emotions are typically held in the T4 area?
Anxiety, grief and other stresses
How could T4 become facilitated?
Mechanical imbalances, local injury, birth trauma, visceral input from heart and lungs, or psycho-emotional stresses, or by a combination of these acting together
What symptoms may the patient report to indicate a possible T4 syndrome?
Asthma attacks, panic attacks, palpitations, feelings of anxiety and stress, upper back pain, neck pain, headaches
What might be an initial physical observation of T4 syndrome?
Tight raised shoulders and upper back
What occupations typically put postural strain on T4?
Sitting at a desk typing all day
Which contact can enable a widespread release of T4 and its associations?
Heart centre - heart chakra
What is the priority treatment for T4 syndrome?
Identify and address the source of the activation, treat and integrate the system as a whole
