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Cranial Vertigo

A simple description of the craniosacral system is that it includes the bones of the skull and sacrum at the base of the spine.  They are connected by the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.  These membranes are filled with fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, commonly called CSF.  CSF volume and pressure fluctuates as the fluid is produced and rhythmically re-absorbed. In order to accommodate these changes, the skull must expand slightly as the system fills, and contract slightly as the fluid drains.  The fluid drains back into the blood to be replenished with fresh fluid.  Thus, the joints of the skull bones must expand and contract slightly.  This causes all the bones of the skull to move in a characteristic pattern.

It’s all in the Temporal Bones

The bones that relate to balance are the temporal bones.  The temporal bones are the paired bones on either side of the head to which our ears are attached.  Deep inside the temporal bones, past the eardrum and the air-filled middle ear, is the fluid-filled inner ear.  Both the organs for hearing and balance reside within the inner ear.  The organs for rotational balance are called the semi-circular canals.  There is one set of 3 semicircular canals on each side of the head.  They are like tiny fluid-filled gyroscopes that tell us when our head or body is turning.

Abnormal movement of the temporal bones upsets the fluid dynamics in the semi-circular canals, causing pitch, roll or yaw.  It is as if we are in an airplane spinning out of control, or in a rocking boat.

Normally, the temporal bones move in sync, forward and backward, (and in and out).  But if something such as a blow to the head or body, or internal stress on the craniosacral system knocks the bones out of alignment, vertigo results.

Temporal bones moving in opposite directions will disturb the movement of the fluid in the semicircular canals.  The brain receives a mixed message, as if the two sides of the head are moving in opposite directions.  It is no wonder, then, we feel as if our head is spinning.

Recent studies, in fact, have proven that human beings are sensitive to touch on the nano scale.  Likewise, experiments at NASA show that effects of minute movements of the fluid in semicircular canals is magnified many times.  In contrast, large movements, such as turning while crossing the street, or, stepping off a curb, do not cause dizziness.  Thus, the tiny movements of the temporal bones may have a magnified influence on our sense of balance as the brain receives contradictory messages about which way we are turning.

Since the movement of the temporal bones is so complex, restrictions can cause problems in the semicircular canals along many different planes.  This causes differing sensations of dizziness.  It is as if your head or body were moving in yaw, pitch or roll, or, a combination these, when your head or body is not actually moving.  Sometimes, people feel as though the environment is moving.  Other people feel as if their body is moving.  However, no movement at all is occurring.

For example, when the bones are moving freely, but are diametrically opposed the forward and backward plane, there is likely to be a sensation of spinning.  It is as if one side of the head is moving in one direction and the other side in the opposite.  But, if the major restriction affects the top portion of the bones, you may feel as though you are rocking from side to side.

Normally, the top portion of both temporal bones move away from each other, one side to the left, the other to the right.  But, if both sides are moving in the same directions, opposite of normal, it may feel like your whole head is rolling from side to side.  Or, your legs may feel like they are trying to walk on a moving boat.  It all depends on exactly how the temporal are restricted in their movements.

When temporal bones move out of sync in any direction, vertigo can last for hours or days.  It may come and go as the brain adapts, only to be set off again by any kind of stress or trigger.  This is similar to bumping into a grandfather clock which causes the pendulum to move erratically until it spontaneously slows down to its normal set point.  Only, in the case of vertigo, the set point itself is off making the system unstable and easily knocked out of balance.

While most people with vertigo do not have nausea or vomiting, a compression in the temporal bones can also restrict the vagus nerve, which can cause these symptoms.  Because several other nerves travel through the temporal bones, a number of other symptoms may accompany vertigo.  These include, brain fog, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, difficulty swallowing and other symptoms.

Head injuries, even slight, are an obvious cause of temporal bone problems.  But in falls that do not directly affect the temporal bones, there can be an indirect affect.  Postural misalignment, stress and even surgeries can affect temporal bone motion through the membranes that attach to them.  All of these things can be corrected with the gentle touch of craniosacral therapy.