Facilitated Segments 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
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.
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
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?
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
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
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
