Facilitated Segment & T4 Syndrome

Question 1

What is meant by a ‘Segment’?

Answer 1

The area where two vertebrae meet, with nerve fibres passing in and out through the intervertebral foramina

Question 2

What is meant by ‘Facilitation’?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

How can you confirm a facilitated segment on the patient?

Answer 3

The surrounding muscles may be tight and the local skin slightly tender

Question 4

How do segments become facilitated?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Give examples of how a facilitated segment could be activated?

Answer 5

1. Lifting something heavy
2. Turning awkwardly
3. Eating a certain type of food
4. Inhaling pollen or any other air born sensitiser
5. Stress
6. Excitement
7. A minor injury or illness

Question 6

What can activate a facilitated segment?

Answer 6

Local factors feeding directly into the segment and any factor that disturbs the balance of the system - structural, postural, visceral, emotional etc.

Question 7

How might a patient report a facilitated segment

Answer 7

An area of repeatedly or persistent symptoms, often triggered by no identifiable cause

Question 8

What should you consider before addressing a facilitated segment?

Answer 8

1. To what extent is the facilitated segment itself resolvable?
2. To what extent are current symptoms arising from the facilitated segment?
3. To what extent is the current activation of the facilitated segment being activated by factors from elsewhere?

Question 9

What is the first priority before treating a facilitated segment?

Answer 9

Identify any new or current input from elsewhere and address that; reducing the strain on the area and ease symptoms

Question 10

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, ?

Answer 10

It will add further input into an already facilitated area and activate further facilitation, potentially aggravating symptoms

Question 11

How should you treat a facilitated segment?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

At which vertebral levels do facilitated segments most commonly occur?

Answer 12

T4, T9, T12 - The classic mechanical pivots

Question 13

What could cause a facilitated segment in the upper cervical spine?

Answer 13

head injury, neck injury, strenuous birth

Question 14

What symptoms could indicate a cervical spine facilitated segment?

Answer 14

Headaches, migraines, visual disturbances, feelings of tightness, pressure, congestion and vagueness in the head

Question 15

What symptoms might you expect from a facilitated segment at T9?

Answer 15

Hyperactivity, stress and pressure, and overstimulation of the whole ANS through over-secretion of adrenalin from the adrenal glands

Question 16

Is it possible for the whole system to become facilitated?

Answer 16

Yes - for example from multiple injuries from a car accident, combined with chronic stress and shock

Question 17

What is T4 Syndrome?

Answer 17

A facilitated segment at T4

Question 18

Why is T4 significant?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What if fed by sympathetic supply from T4?

Answer 19

Heart and lungs

Question 20

What conditions are associated with T4 syndrome?

Answer 20

Asthma, many lung conditions, heart palpitations, emotional reactions, to severe cardiac pathology

Question 21

Which plexi are T4 associated with?

Answer 21

Cardiac and pulmonary sympathetic plexi

Question 22

What emotions are typically held in the T4 area?

Answer 22

Anxiety, grief and other stresses

Question 23

How could T4 become facilitated?

Answer 23

Mechanical imbalances, local injury, birth trauma, visceral input from heart and lungs, or psycho-emotional stresses, or by a combination of these acting together

Question 24

What symptoms may the patient report to indicate a possible T4 syndrome?

Answer 24

Asthma attacks, panic attacks, palpitations, feelings of anxiety and stress, upper back pain, neck pain, headaches

Question 25

What might be an initial physical observation of T4 syndrome?

Answer 25

Tight raised shoulders and upper back

Question 26

What occupations typically put postural strain on T4?

Answer 26

Sitting at a desk typing all day

Question 27

Which contact can enable a widespread release of T4 and its associations?

Answer 27

Heart centre - heart chakra

Question 28

What is the priority treatment for T4 syndrome?

Answer 28

Identify and address the source of the activation, treat and integrate the system as a whole