Craniosacral Therapy

Introduction
Theresa A. Schmidt, DPT,MS,OCS,LMT,CEAS,Chy,DD

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In the efforts to comply with the appropriate boards/associations, I declare that I do have an affiliation with or financial interest in a commercial organization that could pose a conflict of interest with my presentation.

Craniosacral Therapy Introduction By Theresa A. Schmidt, DPT,MS,OCS,LMT,CEAS,CHY,DD

Cross Country Education

Leading the Way in Professional Development. www.CrossCountryEducation.com

STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF FASCIA: Craniosacral Dura

Compartmentalizes and surrounds everything! Maintains posture Supports vessels, organs, muscles, nerves, bones Defines muscle motion

Aids circulation Influences cell metabolism Aligns with mechanical stresses Deposits collagen to rebuild and to heal injuries

Relays and stores information

Electromagnetic transmission agent

COMPOSITION OF FASCIA

Proteins: collagen and elastin

Ground Substance: lubricates and separates

CRANIOSACRAL ANATOMY 8 cranial 14 facial 6 auditory

CRANIUM

Frontal Parietal-2 Occipital Temporal-2 Sphenoid Ethmoid

FACIAL BONES

Zygomatic-2 Maxillae-2 Mandible Nasal-2 Lacrimal-2 Palatine-2 Vomer Inferior conchae-2

ANATOMICAL LINKS Cranial base Core link- spinal dura Sacrococcygeal complex, S2, filum terminale, S4 Meninges, ventricles

CRANIAL BASE

Frontal Sphenoid Ethmoid Temporals Occipital

MENINGES Dura Arachnoid Pia Mater

DURA MATER Falx Cerebri Falx Cerebelli Tentorium Cerebelli

RECIPROCAL TENSION MEMBRANES

Forces across a membrane are transmitted equally through CSF to other membranes, hydraulic system

CEREBROSPINAL FLUID Nourishing fluid produced by choroid plexus circulates through 4 ventricles Fluid mechanics affect membrane tension

VENTRICLES 2 Lateral Ventricles Third Ventricle Fourth Ventricle CSF travels through ducts in the system

EXAMINATION History Structural Assessment Motion Analysis

PALPATION

Craniosacral Rhythm Cranial bones are anchors for dural membranes

THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS!

PRINCIPLES OF CRANIOSACRAL MOTION Craniosacral Rhythm (CSR)

Rhythmic inherent physiological motion of 6-12 cycles/ minute

CRANIAL MOTION Flexion / external rotation (widening) Extension / internal rotation (narrowing)

FLEXION: EXTERNAL ROTATION:

Transverse diameter increases A-P diameter decreases

SPHENOBASILAR FLEXION: External rotation of paired bones: widening

SPHENOID AND OCCIPUT ROTATE IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS: Like a clamshell: Opening into flexion Closing in extension

As sphenoid rotates anteriorly, occiput rotates posteriorly

SPHENOBASILAR EXTENSION Internal rotation of paired bones Narrowing

Sacrum moves in synchrony with sphenoid

DURING SPHENOIDAL FLEXION

Sacrum moves:
Apex anteriorly Base posteriorly

Clamshell opens

FORAMEN MAGNUM Moves superiorly Elevates Tenses the dura

COUNTERNUTATION Craniosacral Flexion Tail tucks in

Sutures are not fused in normals! Function as joints

Sutural Joints Contain:

Fascia, dural attachments, Sharpeys fibers, nerves, C fibers and blood vessels NOT FUSED!

RESPIRATION Inhalation enhances flexion Exhalation enhances extension

3 DIAPHRAGMS:
Tentorium Cerebelli Respiratory Diaphragm Pelvic Diaphragm Depress and flatten during inhalation

CRANIOSACRAL ASSESSMENT

Rate

Amplitude Quality Symmetry of motion

ABNORMAL CSR: Low Rate

Coma Decreased

vitality Intracranial lesions

ABNORMAL HIGH RATE

Denervation Drug use Hyperkinesis Fever Autism Meningeal restrictions

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY GOALS

Reduce membrane restrictions Increase mobility in articular restrictions Improve circulation Reduce neural entrapment Reduce abnormal sympathetic tone

PRECAUTION

Appropriate diagnostic workup must be done prior to treatment

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Acute intracranial bleeding Increased intracranial pressure Skull trauma or fracture Arnold-Chiari malformation ANY condition in which motion is contraindicated (Upledger)

PRECAUTIONS

Seizures Internal hardware Psychiatric or psychological disorders Any history of brain trauma or stroke

(Upledger)

INDICATIONS

Acute systemic or local infections Acute sprain and strain Chronic pain Visceral dysfunction Autonomic dysfunction Rheumatoid arthritis Emotional disorders

INDICATIONS

Scoliosis Visual disturbances Auditory problems Cerebral ischemic episodes Potential use in autism, ADD, seizures, headaches, TMJ, chronic conditions

CRANIOSACRAL ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES

GENERAL & LOCAL LISTENING

CRANIOSACRAL RHYTHM

Upledger: Accept what you sense as real. Rhythmic pulse 6-12/min. widening and narrowing Palpate 5 grams of pressure or less, weight of a nickel

PROPRIOCEPTION EXERCISES

Enhance your sensitivity Rub hands briskly Separate slowly What do you feel?

CRANIOSACRAL TECHNIQUES Select clinical interventions: Transverse Plane Releases Cranial & Sacral Releases Craniosacral Balancing

TRANSVERSE PLANE RELEASES

Respiratory diaphragm Pelvic floor Thoracic outlet

RESPIRATORY DIAPHRAGAM

PELVIC FLOOR RELEASE

THORACIC OUTLET RELEASE

SELECT CRANIAL RELEASES

Temporal Lift Ear pull Frontal Lift Mandibular decompression Craniosacral balancing

TEMPORAL RELEASE

FRONTAL LIFT

MANDIBULAR DECOMPRESSION

CRANIOSACRAL BALANCING

CRANIAL RELEASES CV4: Occiput Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews study showed inprovement in headaches

CV-4 RELEASE

Integration of Techniques into a Treatment Plan

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References

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