OsteopathIc Cranial Manipulative medicine (OCMM)

In the mid-1900’s, William Sutherland, D.O., developed and taught Cranial Osteopathy. He always gave tribute to his discovery as an extension of, not separate from, Dr. Still’s science of Osteopathy. Dr. Sutherland utilized the principles of Osteopathic medicine in application to the cranium. He was the first to perceive subtle, palpable movement within the bones of the cranium.

In medicine, we are taught that the cranial sutures fuse and are unable to move into adulthood. In young children, the “soft spots” on their head are to allow motion of the cranial bones and they fuse as one ages. Dr. Sutherland studied the cranial bones at length and completed research on the anatomy of his own head to determine that motion is possible in the cranial sutures. He named his discovery the “Primary Respiratory Mechanism”.

The Primary Respiratory Mechanism

Primary - It is a system that comes “first.” It underlies all of life's processes and gives dynamism, form and substance to all of anatomy and physiology, driving all functions of the body.

Respiratory - It is the spark that gives rise to the breath as it moves through the tissues. It is the foundation of metabolism. It enables the exchange of gases and other substances between compartments of the body.

Mechanism - It manifests as a specific motion of the body, a system composed of many parts that work together to create a whole, greater than the sum of the parts.

This Primary Respiratory Mechanism has five basic components:

1. The inherent rhythmic motion of the brain and spinal cord.

2. The fluctuation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that bathes and nourishes the brain and spinal cord.

3. The shifting tensions of the membranous envelope (dura mater) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This entire membranous structure acts as a unit and is called a “Reciprocal Tension Membrane.”

4. The inherent rhythmic motion of the cranial bones.

5. The involuntary motion of the sacrum (tailbone) between the ilia (hip bones).

Common disorders that may benefit from Osteopathy in the Cranial Field