The Cranium, Neck and Upper Thorax

Course description

Headache, neck pain and symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome are common complaints in patients with poor trunk function. When the upper thorax and shoulder girdle become restricted and/or poorly controlled more load is placed on the head and neck during everyday tasks. When the cranium is twisted due to external neuromuscular imbalances (i.e. asymmetric tone in SCM) or loss of tension ‘balance’ of the intra-cranial membranes (cerebellar tentorium, cerebral and cerebellar falx) (i.e. concussions, head hits etc), function of the upper thorax can be impacted. When there is adverse tension in the intra-cranial membranes, dural mobility can be impacted and this can in turn effect function of the pelvic floor and control of the SIJs!

Do you know how to determine if the upper thorax, neck or cranium is playing a role in the clinical presentation and if so what to do or where to begin treatment? A key feature of the Integrated Systems Model is understanding how to determine the relationships between multiple sites of non-optimal alignment, biomechanics and control and decide where the best place is to intervene. This is called finding the driver and is task and individual specific.

The key concepts of this approach will be highlighted during this course with specific application to the cranium, neck and upper thorax/shoulder girdle in relationship to loss of control of the sacroiliac joints. Once the driver is determined for each meaningful task, vector analysis will confirm the underlying system impairment (articular, neural, myofascial, visceral) and thus determine the treatment prescription of what to release, align, connect and move (RACM). This is craniosacral through the ISM perspective and is unique to this model.

Clinical reasoning of multiple findings and manual and visual assessment and treatment skills are emphasized in this course with plenty of practical time/discussion devoted to these two clinical practice tools.

At the conclusion of this 4-day course, you will have new skills to assess function of the cranium to the 6th thoracic ring (including the clavicle and scapula) and how to find the driver for meaningful tasks involving the head, neck, shoulder girdle as well as pelvic control. How to differentiate and treat dural system impairments from cranial musculoskeletal drivers will be covered. You will understand how to design a multimodal treatment program (including education, manual therapy (introductory craniosacral release techniques), neuromuscular release, and movement training) to restore function and performance for any patient presenting with headache, neck pain and/or shoulder girdle pain. The relationship between loss of dural mobility within the cranium and spinal canal and trauma, and how this is often underpinned by an upregulated SNS and unresolved trauma, will also be discussed.