CranioSomatic Foundations - Workshop Descriptions
 

CranioSomatic Foundations I & II

The first workshop of the Foundation series provides an essential foundation in craniosacral concepts, anatomy, physiology, and a variety of techniques, with focus on the cranial vault. The introduction to CranioSomatics will begin the process of relating restricted cranial sutures and compensatory patterns of the craniosacral mechanism with global postural compensation and neuromusculoskeletal imbalance.

Techniques from Applied Kinesiology (muscle testing, therapy localization, and challenge) will be introduced as they are used throughout our treatment programs to identify dysfunctions and verify corrections. These AK techniques will also be used to demonstrate that normal muscle functions throughout the musculoskeletal system are reciprocally related to normal functions of the craniosacral mechanism. Dysfunctions are likewise reciprocally related. Participants will be able to incorporate cranial techniques and CranioSomatic concepts into their practice at the completion of the first workshop.

The second workshop of the Foundation series continues to build on the knowledge and skills acquired in CSF I. This module provides the anatomy, physiology and craniosacral concepts necessary for participants to become proficient in detecting and treating sutural restrictions among the 14 facial bones that form the jaws, orbits, and nasal cavity. Improved maxillofacial relationships can be an essential first step in eliminating many chronic musculoskeletal problems. This workshop also expands participants' knowledge of the integration between cranial and somatic function. Relationships between craniofacial dysfunction and somatic dysfunction are presented with related somatic and cranial procedures for treatment.

By the end of the second workshop, students will have the knowledge to effectively treat many CranioSomatic dysfunctions, including 10 sphenobasilar (SBS) compensation patterns, sutural restrictions, and various joint dysfunctions. Participants will also have a functional understanding of global CranioSomatic relationships, with techniques and skills to apply this knowledge.

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CranioSomatics Foundations I & II

Workshop Outline

Introduction to Craniosacral Concepts

• History of cranial therapy
• Contemporary cranial organizations
• Definition of terms

The Craniosacral Mechanism

• Tracing the path of a pioneer
• Student examination of model skulls and 5 vault bones

Exploring Cranial Bone Arrangement

• 8 vault bones
• 14 facial bones

Palpation

• Introduction to cranial palpation
• Cranial palpation tips and guidelines
• Palpation Exercise # 1 - Self-palpation of vault sutures & landmarks
• Palpation Exercise # 2 - Partner palpation of sutures & landmarks

The Primary Respiratory Mechanism (PRM): evidence for motion

• Reciprocal Tension Membrane (RTM)
• Reciprocal movement of the sacrum
• The spinal dura connection
• Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF)

Rhythm and Motion Palpation Skills

• Development of rhythm and motion palpatory skills
• Characteristics of the cranial rhythmic impulse (CRI)
• Palpation for rhythm and motion
• Palpation Exercise # 3
  • Palpation for vital rhythms & movements
  • Palpation for craniosacral rhythm & movements

Articular Mobility of the Cranial Bones

• Cranial mobility
• Sutural architecture

Introduction to Treatment

• The CranioSomatic approach to evaluation and treatment
• Techniques - Simple suture releases for selected vault sutures
• Student practice treating vault sutural restrictions

Vault Bone Anatomy and Physiological Movement

• The 8 vault bones
• Sutural characteristics
• Physiological movements

Validating Outcome-Oriented Therapy

• The need for pre- and post-treatment evaluation
• Common evaluation methods (for body therapists)
• Managing the iatrogenic aspects of manual therapies

Assessment and Outcome Validation

• Introduction to Applied Kinesiology (AK)
• Clinical use of Applied Kinesiology
  • Manual Muscle Testing (MMT)
  • Therapy Localization (TL)
  • Challenge (CH)
• Manual muscle testing procedures for shoulder muscles

Development of Treatment Skills

• Treatment objectives
• Types of corrective techniques
• Palpation exercise #4 - Identifying the point of balanced membranous tension
• Technique groupings and protocols

‘Clearing Routine’ Concepts and Simple Vault Releases

• ‘Clearing Routine’ - Concepts and Use
• Demonstration of a basic ‘Clearing Routine’
• Student practice using a basic Clearing Routine

Combined Skill Development

• Evaluation: Skill Development in using AK
• Treatment: Skill development in using a basic Clearing Routine
• Post-treatment evaluation: Using TL & CH to confirm corrections

Introduction to CranioSomatic Concepts

• Structural / functional paradigm versus energy paradigm
• Reciprocal global interrelationships

CranioSomatic Relationships

• Homolateral somatic relationships between joints of the upper and lower extremities
• Skill development: Testing adductor and abductor muscles of the upper and lower extremities.
• Relationships between OM sutures and the pelvis
• Relationships between vault sutures and shoulder muscles

Overview of Facial Bone Arrangement

• 14 facial bones
• Palpation Exercise #5 - Self-palpation of facial sutures
• Palpation Exercise # 6 - Partner palpation of facial sutures

Clearing Routine - Techniques & Protocol

• Techniques for the vault - demonstration and practice
• Facial techniques - demonstration and practice
• Clearing Routine Protocol - discussion and demonstration

Combined Skill Development

• Pre-treatment Evaluation: Skill Development in using AK
• Treatment: Skill development in using Clearing Routine Protocol
• Post-treatment Evaluation: Using AK to confirm corrections

SBS PATTERNS

Cranial Bone Movement

• Overview
• Midline (single) bones in flexion & extension
• Peripheral (paired) bones in external & internal rotation
• The mandible

Introduction to SBS Movement Patterns

• SBS Axes and Patterns
• Evaluation of SBS Patterns
• Treatment of SBS Patterns

SBS Patterns on Transverse Axes

• Flexion and Extension
• Vertical Strains
• Student practice - palpation and treatment

Compound Sutural Release Techniques

• Compound Sutural Releases (7) - discussion and demonstration
• Student Practice using compound sutural releases
• Skill Development using AK techniques & Clearing Routine Protocol

SBS Patterns on A-P Axis (Inclined)

• Torsions
• Student Practice - palpation and treatment

SBS Patterns on Vertical Axes

• Sidebending Rotations
• Lateral Strains
• Student Practice - palpation and treatment

Quadrant Analysis

• Quadrant Analysis Concepts
• Introduction to Quadrant Analysis for SBS strain patterns

Cranial / SBS Evaluations Using AK

• Identifying relationships between SBS strain patterns and sutural restrictions
• Skill Development in treatment of SBS strain patterns
• Student evaluation and treatment using AK techniques and the Clearing Routine Protocol

TMJ and Mandible

• TMJ function: normal vs. pathological
• Intra-oral techniques for the palatine and zygomatic bones
• Student evaluation and treatment using these intra-oral techniques

Craniofacial Understandings

• Concepts of facial development (Enlow’s)
• Angle’s classification types and cranial correlations
• The orofacial complex and CranioSomatic relationships
• The importance of the dental occlusion (to posture and global compensations)
• Visual analysis of vault and facial bone alignment

CranioSomatic Relationships

• Relationships involving joints of the upper and lower extremities
  • Lower extremities and muscles of the neck
  • Vault sutures affecting shoulder muscles
  • Wrist and ankle joints and jaw muscles
• Somatic Challenges
  • Challenges to pelvic structures
  • Challenges to lower extremities muscles
• Skill development: Identifying CranioSomatic relationships using AK

Spinal Compensations: Related Sutures and Treatment

• Spinal compensation patterns
  • Vault sutures and related spinal compensations
  • Spinal compensation patterns: Lateral & A- P
• Treatment techniques
  • Treatment techniques for spinal compensations
  • Treatment techniques for Atlanto-Occipital joint (A/ O)
• Skill development: Identifying and correcting spinal compensations

Clinical Application

• Workshop Review
• Introducing patients to CranioSomatic therapy
• Establishing a treatment plan
• Using the Protocols
• Integrating other therapies
• Additional CranioSomatic therapies
  • Introduction to CranioStructural Integration (CSI)
  • Introduction to Facilitated Pathways Intervention (FPI)

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