Cranial Sacral Therapy exists due to the existence of the nervous system. It studies the cerebrospinal fluid and sac surrounding the spine and brain. Therapists tune into the communication of the peripheal nerves passing in and out of the sac determining if they are in balance with the organs, muscles and limbs being communicate too from the autonomic nervous system. It is not essential to understand the workings of the human nervous system, but if you have ever wondered why one massage "doesn't just not seem to cut it" or "why can't three sessions solve the problem," a direct understanding of the nervous system will help you understand why multiple therapeutic sessions are needed to relieve one's ailments.
Definitions:
Nervous system: The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous system of vertebrates (such as humans) contains the brain, spinal cord, and retina. The peripheral nervous system consists of sensory neurons, clusters of neurons called ganglia, and nerves connecting them to each other and to the central nervous system. These regions are all interconnected by means of complex neural pathways.
Neurons send signals to other cells as electrochemical waves traveling along thin fibers called axons, which cause chemicals called neurotransmitters to be released at junctions called synapses. A cell that receives a synaptic signal may be excited, inhibited, or otherwise modulated.
BW: Sensory neurons are activated by physical stimuli impinging on them, and send signals that inform the central nervous system of the state of the body and the external environment.
Motor neurons, situated either in the central nervous system or in peripheral ganglia, connect the nervous system to muscles or other effector organs. Central neurons, which in vertebrates greatly outnumber the other types, make all of their input and output connections with other neurons. The interactions of all these types of neurons form neural circuits that generate an organism's perception of the world and determine its behavior. Along with neurons, the nervous system contains other specialized cells called glial cells (or simply glia), which provide structural and metabolic support.
Central Nervous System: The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multi-cellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish. It contains the majority of the nervous system and consists of the brain and the spinal cord. Some classifications also include the retina and the cranial nerves in the CNS. Together with the peripheral nervous system, it has a fundamental role in the control of behavior. The CNS is contained within the dorsal cavity, with the brain in the cranial cavity and the spinal cord in the spinal cavity. In vertebrates, the brain is protected by the skull, while the spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae, and both are enclosed in the meninges. (The meninges is the system of membranes which envelopes the central nervous system. The meninges consist of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. The primary function of the meninges and of the cerebrospinal fluid is to protect the central nervous system.)
Peripheral Nervous System: The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord.[1] The main function of the PNS is to connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the limbs and organs. Unlike the CNS, the PNS is not protected by the bone of spine and skull, or by the blood–brain barrier, leaving it exposed to toxins and mechanical injuries. The peripheral nervous system is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system
Somatic Nervous System: The somatic nervous system (SoNS) is the part of the peripheral nervous system [1] associated with the voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles. The SoNS consists of efferent nerves responsible for stimulating muscle contraction, including all the non sensory neurons connected with skeletal muscles and skin.
Efferent Nerves: efferent nerves, otherwise known as motor or effector neurons, carry nerve impulses away from the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles or glands. Afferent nerves move towards the central nervous system.
Autonomic Nervous System:
The autonomic nervous system (ANS or visceral nervous system) is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system functioning largely below the level of consciousness, and controls visceral functions.[1] The ANS affects heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, diameter of the pupils, urination, and sexual arousal. Whereas most of its actions are involuntary, some, such as breathing, work in tandem with the conscious mind. It is classically divided into two subsystems: the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
Parasympathetic nervous system: The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is one of the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is responsible for regulation of internal organs and glands, which occurs unconsciously. The parasympathetic system specifically is responsible for stimulation of "rest-and-digest" activities that occur when the body is at rest, including sexual arousal, salivation,lacrimation (tears), urination, digestion and defecation. Its action is described as being complementary to that of one of the other main branches of the ANS, the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for stimulating activities associated with the fight-or-flight response.
Sympathetic Nervous System: Its general action is to mobilize the body's resources under stress; to induce the fight-or-flight response. It is, however, constantly active at a basal level to maintain homeostasis.[1]
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Vertebrae |
Areas |
Effects |
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|
Blood supply to the head, pituitary gland, bones of the face, brain, inner and middle ear, sympathetic nervous system |
Headaches, nervousness, insomnia, head colds, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, nervous breakdowns, amnesia, chronic tiredness, dizziness |
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|
Eyes, optic nerves, auditory nerves, sinuses, mastoid bones, tongue, forehead |
Sinus troubles, allergies, pain around the eyes, earaches, fainting spells, certain cases of blindness, crossed eyes, deafness |
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|
Cheeks, outer ear, face bones, teeth, tri-facial nerve |
Neuralgia, neuritis, acne or pimples, eczema |
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|
Nose, lips, mouth, Eustachian tube |
Hay fever, runny nose, hearing loss, adenoids |
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|
Vocal cords, neck glands, pharynx |
Laryngitis, hoarseness, throat conditions such as sore throat or quinsy |
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|
Neck muscles, shoulders, tonsils |
Stiff neck, pain in upper arm, tonsillitis, chronic cough, croup |
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|
Thyroid gland, bursae in the shoulders, elbows |
Bursitis, colds, thyroid conditions |
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^ ^ ^ ^ Neck Area ^ ^ ^ ^ |
^ ^ ^ ^ Neck Area ^ ^ ^ ^ |
^ ^ ^ ^ Neck Area ^ ^ ^ ^ |
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1T |
Arms from the elbows down, including hands, wrists and fingers; esophagus and trachea |
Asthma, cough, difficult breathing, shortness of breathe, pain in lower arms and hands |
|
2T |
Heart, including its’ valves and covering; coronary arteries |
Functional heart conditions, and certain chest conditions |
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3T |
Lungs, bronchial tubes, pleura, chest, breast |
Bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, congestion, influenza |
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4T |
Gall bladder, common duct |
Gall bladder conditions, jaundice, shingles. |
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5T |
Liver, solar plexus, general circulation |
Liver conditions, fevers, blood pressure problems, poor circulation and arthritis |
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6T |
Stomach |
Stomach troubles including nervous stomach; indigestion, heartburn, dyspepsia |
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7T |
Pancreas, duodenum |
Ulcers, gastritis |
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8T |
Spleen |
Lowered resistance |
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9T |
Adrenal and supra-adrenal glands |
Allergies, hives |
|
10T |
Kidneys |
Kidney troubles, hardening of the arteries, chronic tiredness, nephritis, pyelitis |
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11T |
Kidneys, ureters |
Skin conditions such as acne, pimples, eczema or boils |
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12T |
Small intestines, lymph circulation |
Rheumatism, gas pains, certain types of sterility |
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^ ^ ^ ^ Mid Back ^ ^ ^ ^ |
^ ^ ^ ^ Mid Back ^ ^ ^ ^ |
^ ^ ^ ^ Mid Back ^ ^ ^ ^ |
|
1L |
Large intestines, inguinal rings |
Constipation, colitis, dysentery, diarrhea, some ruptures or hernias |
|
2L |
Appendix, abdomen, upper leg |
Cramps, difficult breathing, minor varicose veins |
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3L |
Sex organs, uterus, bladder, knees |
Bladder troubles, menstral troubles such as painful or irregular periods, miscarriages, bed wetting, impotency, change of life symptoms, many knee pains |
|
4L |
Prostate gland, muscles of the low back, sciatic nerve |
Sciatica, lumbago, difficult, painful or too frequent urination; backaches |
|
5L |
Lower legs, ankles, feet |
Poor circulation in the legs, swollen ankles, weak ankles and arches, cold feet, weakness in legs, leg cramps |
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^ ^ ^ ^ Low Back ^ ^ ^ ^ |
^ ^ ^ ^ Low Back ^ ^ ^ ^ |
^ ^ ^ ^ Low Back ^ ^ ^ ^ |
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Sacrum |
hip bones, buttocks |
Sacro-illiac conditions, spinal curvatures |
|
Coccyx |
Rectum, anus |
Hemorrhoids (piles), pruritis (itching), pain at end of spine on sitting |
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^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Pelvis ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ |
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Pelvis ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ |
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Pelvis ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ |
This chart is used solely for educational purposes. All credit is given to the following.
1988 copyright Parker Chiropractic Resource Foundation. Poster #4400030
If you wish to own your own chart, there are now two updated choices to choose from. The Spinal Nerve Function Chart and The Auto Nervous System Form. You may find these at http://share.parker.edu/store/product/1877/AUTO-NERV-SYSTEM-FORM-100-PAD/.
