Over time several theories have been proposed to explain the motion of the craniosacral system. Two are presented below. They are “The Pressurestat Model” and “The Traube-Hering-Mayer Oscillations Model”.
The Pressurestat Model.
In this model cerebrospinal fluid is produced in continuous on-and-off phases lasting approximately 3-5 seconds per phase.
During cerebrospinal fluid production the total amount of fluid within the craniosacral system (CSS) increases. This increase in fluid raises the pressure within the CSS and causes it to expand. During non-production of cerebrospinal fluid the total amount of fluid within the CSS decreases. This decrease in fluid lowers the pressure within the CSS and causes it to contract.
The raising and lowering of pressure within the CSS creates the craniosacral rhythm.
The Traube-Hering-Mayer Oscillations Model.
Traube-Hering-Mayer oscillations are a mixture of rhythms created by the the sympathetic tone of autonomic nervous system, blood pressure, heart rate, blood flow, cerebrospinal fluid movement, and breathing. These oscillations blend to create the craniosacral rhythm.
