The OMT Cranial Somatic Dysfunction provides High Yield information that is needed for the COMLEX Level 1, 2, and 3 during Medical School.
Cranial Basics
Components of the primary respiratory mechanism (PRM)
- Fluctuation of the CSF.
- Inherent Rhythm of Brain & Spinal Cord.
- Articular Mobility of Cranial Bones.
- Tension of Dura (Reciprocal Tension Membrane).
- Motion of Sacrum between Ilia.
Cranial Rhythmic Impulse (CRI)
- Normal: 10-14 Cycles Per Minute.
- Factors increase the CRI
- Factors decrease the CRI
- Absent CRI
- Compression
Attachment of dura
Midline cranial bones (SOVE)
- Sphenoid
- Occiput
- Vomer
- Ethmoid
- Midline Bones Motion – Flex and Extend
- Paired Bones Motion – Internal and External Rotate
Physiologic Craniosacral Somatic Dysfunction (Postural)
Flexion
- SBS – Cephalad.
- Sacrum – Extension & Counternutates.
- Inhalation.
- Paired Bones – External Rotation.
- AP diameter – Shortens.
Phantom Hands
Extension
- SBS – Caudad.
- Sacrum – Flexion & Nutates.
- Exhalation.
- Paired Bones – Internal Rotation.
- AP diameter – Lengthens.
Phantom Hands
Torsion
Non-Physiologic Craniosacral Somatic Dysfunction (E.g. Car accident)
Sidebending/Rotation
Superior Vertical strain
- Naming: SBS (Up)
- Cause: Vertex blow posterior SBS but anterior of occiput transverse axis (or) Blow from below mouth in anterior SBS but posterior sphenoid transverse axis
- Rotation of Sphenoid & Occiput: Same.
- Axis: 2x. Transverse.
Phantom Hands
Index fingers move inferiorly to patient’s feet, pinkies move superiorly toward physician
Inferior Vertical strain
Lateral strain
Compression
- Sphenoid & Occiput are closer together.
- Due to trauma.
- (SBS – Articulation between the sphenoid and occiput.)
Phantom Hands
- No Motion
OMT Cranial Somatic Dysfunction Treatments
Vault hold
Compression of the fourth ventricle (CV-4)
SBS decompression
- Cup the occiput,
- bridge the frontal bone,
- during cranial flexion (inhalation) lift the sphenoid away from occiput;
- during extension (exhalation) resist sphenoid movement;
- continue until a release is palpated
- **alternative technique is to hook thumbs together and use three middle fingers to hook the sphenoid and lift
