Craniosacral TherapyIntroduction

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

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my presentation.

Craniosacral Therapy Introduction

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

Cross Country EducationLeading 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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