Abbreviations:
CoS = Confluence of Sinuses
CST = CranioSacral Therapy
DMM = Dura Mater Membrane
EOP = External Occipital Protuberance
VSS = Venous Sinus System
A toxic and harmful brain environment can develop when normal flow of blood and cerebrospinal fluid leaving the brain is reduced. This can cause a backup of the fluid that is trying to cleanse the brain. If the backup persists then waste and toxic elements can collect, congest, irritate and ensnarl delicate brain cells. Harmful pressure can also arise within the matrix of the brain. Furthermore, the flow of fresh arterial blood and cerebrospinal fluid carrying vital nutrients and oxygen to brain cells can be reduced.
In response brain tissue may undergo abnormal change leading to brain challenge or brain dysfunction. The spectrum of brain change can vary from mild to severe leading to a wide range of issues from occasionally having difficulty concentrating or sleeping, to Parkinson’s disease or Epilepsy.
The tubes through which venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid leave the brain are formed by one of the membrane sheets covering the brain and spinal cord, called the dura mater membrane (DMM). These tubes, referred to as the venous sinus system (VSS), are not veins but rather cavities formed within membrane. These cavities do not have muscular walls like veins, so their shape is dependant upon the form of the DMM.
The DMM is interconnected with the body’s fascial system, therefore fascial strain patterns anywhere in the body can alter VSS shape. Any change in form of the VSS, even very small, can reduce fluid outflow, like a crimp in a garden hose reduces the flow of water traveling through it.
Optimizing VSS structure can aid our clients’ specific issues and general well-being. Therefore it is a good idea to routinely focus directly upon improving VSS shape in order to enhance normal VSS fluid outflow. The following sequence of steps, or a comparable protocol, is designed to do just that.
Client position: supine.
I. Check to be sure there are no contraindications to CST, if so do not apply the following sequence.
II. The following four steps are intended to decrease fascial strain in preparation for VSS mobilization.
A. Mobilize and balance primary fascial strain in the body (VSS can be caused by fascial stress
anywhere in the body).
B. Mobilize and balance the thoracic inlet (This helps to open the channels through which fluid flows to the heart).
C. Mobilize and balance the hyoid (this reinforces steps A and B above).
D. Mobilize and balance the Occipital Cranial Base. This helps to decease strain in the area of the jugular foramina through which pass the internal jugular veins that carry blood and cerebrospinal fluid out of the brain. This can also decreae strain of the sigmoid sinus.
III. The following steps focus upon releasing restrictions of the VSS.
A. Locate your client’s external occipital protuberance (EOP), the small bony “bump” on the back of their head. Some people do not have a prominent EPO, therefore imagine a horizontal line along the back of their head connecting the top of their ears. Then imagine a vertical line in the center back part of their head. Where the two lines intersect is the area of the EOP. This is an important landmark because on the inner surface of the EOP is the confluence of sinuses (CoS), a flowing together of three of sinuses: the superior sagittal sinus, the straight sinus, and the transverse sinuses.
B. Cradle the occiput in your hands so that your palm side knuckles are in line with the top of your client’s ears. This will place the EOP between your fifth knuckles.
1. Focus your intention and wait to feel softening midline from the CoS to the foramen magnum that addresses the occipital sinus.
2. Then focus your intention and wait to feel softening laterally/sideways at inferior/lower occiput to address the marginal sinuses.
C. Change your hand position so your hands cradle the skull with your fingers spanning the distance from occiput to sphenoid. Imagine a line drawn from the confluence of sinuses laterally/sideways and then anteriorly/front-wise to mid-orbit/middle eye area. This line will travel along the occiput, temporal bone and greater wing of sphenoid.
1. Focus your intention to feel softening of the occiput from the CoS laterally/sideways to address the transverse sinuses.
2. Focus your intention in a lateral/sideways and anterior/front-wise direction, along the temporal bones while projecting your intention inward along the petrous portion of the temporal bones. Wait to feel softening which address the superior and inferior petrosal sinuses.
3. Project your intention inward at the greater wings of the sphenoid and wait to feel softening which addresses the cavernous and circular sinuses.
D. Cradle the occiput midline in one hand with the EOP in your palm and your fingers pointing towards the client’s feet. The other hand contacts the parietal bones midline. Bring your parietal hand one-third the distance from the EOP to the bridge of the nose.
1. Focus the intention of your parietal hand towards the foramen magnum to engage the anterior/front part of the straight sinus. Your occipital hand engages the posterior/back part of the straight sinus, which is the CoS. Wait to perceive softening of the straight sinus.
E. Place finger tips along either side of the sagittal suture beginning at the CoS to address the superior and inferior sagittal sinuses. Wait to feel a response of softening under your finger tips then move your hands in an anterior/front-wise direction a little at a time, waiting for softening each time your move your hands, until reaching the bridge of the nose.
IV. End with CV-4 stillpoint induction to help the body integrate corrections that have occurred in response to treatment.
Helping the brain efficiently drain waste and toxic elements by directly working with our client’s VSS can optimize their brain’s performance and increase their overall vitality and health.
Do you notice a difference in your client’s response to CranioSacral Therapy sessions when you incorporate a regular VSS sequence into their sessions?
