Stage C

Question 1

Describe the motion of the sacrum during:

a) extension?
b) flexion?

Answer 1

a) apex of sacrum moves posteriorly during extension
b) apex of sacrum moves anteriorly during flexon

Question 2

Describe in detail the dural attachments of the sacrum and coccyx

Answer 2

Dura is the outer layer of the 3 membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Spinal membranes lining vertebral canal continues down to sacral canal.

Dura mata and arachnoid mater terminate within the sacral canal, attaching to the anterior wall of the second segment.

Where dura ends, it gives off a small thread, Filum terminale, which continues down to attach to the coccyx, on the posterior surface of the first coccygeal segment

Question 3

With a hand under the sacrum how might you stimulate the cranial sacral system using the rhythmic motion?

Answer 3

connect with the rhythm,

engage, allow, follow release, reorganisation

take to a still point

Hold with your attention

Question 4

In taking up a double contact with one hand under the sacrum and the other hand under the vertebral column, what do you consider to be the function of the

a) sacral hand
b) hand under spine
c) connection between both hands

Answer 4

a) to engage with the system
b) to target and focus on a specific area
c) to facilitate energy drive

Question 5

How does the Spheno-Basilar Synchrondosis (SBS) differ anatomically from most other joints in the skull?

Answer 5

it is a cartilaginous joint which offers more mobility

Question 6

How does SBS being a cartilaginous joint affect its function?

Answer 6

allows for movement

Question 7

Why is the unique function of the SBS joint considered to be significant in CS therapy?

Answer 7

makes it the central pivotal fulcrum around which the whole CS System revolves

the primary cartilaginous joint between the body of the sphenoid and the basilar portion of the occiput

provides a window to read all of the body, the whole system

Question 8

Describe a left side-bending pattern of the SBS in terms of what is happening at the SBS and how it feels to the therapist?

Answer 8

(tip: “the pattern is named by the side that is bulging” - according to sutherland teachings and thomas continuing same eg. the side bending means the same side that is bulging)

left hand moving forwards, right moving back, bulge towards the right, left side feels caving in -

felt sense through the diagonal pull though the length of the body / spine greater wings of sphenoid on the right moves backward

at SBS joint: the lateral left sides will be in compression, while the left side will be opening up, decompression, moving into a containment the right thumb feels pulled down and into the couch left thumb raises upwards towards the ceiling, away from the couch

Question 9

Describe a right sided torsion pattern of the SBS in terms of how it feels to the therapist?

Answer 9

twisting the avocado

practitioner will experience this as the thumb twisting up towards the top of the head and while the other thumb twists down towards the feet

sphenoid greater wings twists superiorly on the right and inferiorly on the left, relative to the occiput

Question 10

Give the name and root origin of the peripheral nerve associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Answer 10

median nerve (supplies digits 1234) > runs down the arm from the brachial plexus > root origin C5678 / T1

Question 11

Give the name and root origin of the peripheral nerve that supplies the digits of 4 and 5 of the hand

Answer 11

ulna nerve which originates from C8-T1

runs down the hand where it passes behind the medial to facilitate the clawing movement of digits 4 and 5

Also consider: base of the neck and first thoracic segment

Question 12

What are the root origins of the Sciatic Nerve

Answer 12

Base of the spine L45 and S123

This combination of five nerve roots that exit from inside the lower lumbar and upper sacral spine forms the sciatic nerve

Question 13

Which nerve root emerges between C7 and T1

Answer 13

C8 - atypical, doesn’t have corresponding vertebra above and below - is between C7 and T1 - Fingers

The C8 nerve root is atypical because it does not have a corresponding vertebral element and exits below the C7 pedicle and occupies the intervertebral foramen between C7 and T1.

In the thoracic and lumbar spine, the nerve roots exit the spinal canal by passing below the pedicle of their named vertebra

Question 14

What sympathetic levels are associated with the head and eyes?

Answer 14

T1, T2 and C4321

Question 15

What sympathetic levels are associated with the thoracic viscera (heart and lungs?)

Answer 15

T2 - T6

Question 16

What sympathetic levels are associated with upper abdominal viscera - stomach; pancreas; spleen; liver; gall-bladder

Answer 16

T6 - T10

Question 17

What sympathetic levels are associated with lower abdominal viscera - colon; uterus; prostate; genetalia

Answer 17

T10 - L2

Question 18

What viscera and other mechanical and emotional associations would you associate with the thoraco-lumbar junction T12/L1?

Answer 18

common site of compression, major site of SNS outflow, large intestine kidneys, bowel, bladder

place where legs of the diaphragm - the crura are attached to the anterior

aspect of the bodies of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd lumbar vertebrae.

Emotions: tension, anxiety, fear, tension in the diaphragm, insecure, remorseful, holding onto resentment

Question 19

What viscera and other mechanical and emotional associations would you associate with T9?

Answer 19

apex of thorax, subject to strain due to antr./postr. postural imbalances

solar plexus and caeliac ganglia

association with or empirical relationship with the adrenal glands

stress, adrenalin, pressure, from excessive stimulation of Sympathetic NS

Apex of thoracic curve subject to strain

Solar plexus; coeliac plexus; adrenal glands

Dysfunction - stress; gall bladder stones; Crohns disease

Question 20

What viscera and other mechanical and emotional associations would you associate with T4?

Answer 20

functional base of the neck, functionally it extends to end in the thoracic, upper triangle,

Littlejohn’s triangle where upper and lower triangle meet

asthma, heart chakra, and cardiac plexus, associated with anxiety and stress

T4 is meeting point for stresses, strains, injuries above and below.

Focal area of sympathetic outflow to heart and lungs T2 to T6

Thymus gland - endocrine gland - lymphatic system

Emotional holding in heart (grief) and lungs (anxiety)

Dysfunction - respiratory issues; cardiac pathologies; anxiety

Question 21

What vertebral levels would you associate with the eyes?

Answer 21

T1-T2 Sympathetic and C1 to C4

Question 22

What vertebral levels would you associate with the lungs?

Answer 22

T2 to T6

Question 23

What vertebral levels would you associate with the duodenum?

Answer 23

T6-T10 - where the stomach passes into the small intestine - sits under liver, gall bladder, bile

Question 24

What vertebral levels would you associate with the Ileo-caecal valve?

Answer 24

T10 - L2 - junction of small and large intestine

Question 25

What vertebral levels would you associate with the bladder?

Answer 25

T10 - L2

Question 26

What movement is felt at the feet during the expansion and contraction (or flexion/ extension) phase of CS motion?

Answer 26

Flexion/expansion = feet externally rotate/ roll out

Extension/ contraction = feet internally rotate/ roll in

Question 27

What is meant by tissue memory?

Answer 27

Patterns of tension or injury held in tissue

physical tension and or memories - past events may release

Question 28

For what conditions and under what circumstances might you use fascial unwinding?

Answer 28

to release fascial tension

to address and release traumas, abuse and associated physical and emotional trauma.

in the joints - ankles, knees, hips, arms, neck, use for anything - heart, viscera