Parting is such sweet sorrow

The final get together of the 2014 Mastering Cranial through Mentorship has ended.  I feel happy that it was such a great success but sad that I won't be getting together with these great people regularly.  I am hopful that we will still continue to meet throughout the year(s).

As I reflect back over the course I am amazed at what we covered.  The manual is over 260 pages almost equally split between academics (anatomy physiology) and practical (techniques.)  It has been a real joy to watch as each students palpation and understanding blossomed.  The excitement that was shared with me as they "got it" made my heart glow.

Initially we started with more biomechanical and fascial approaches to the cranium.  Using induction tests or motion tests to assess the sutures.   As experience is gained over the months by way of feeling and treating a number of heads, students were able to start seeing a three dimensional hologram in their minds eye.

This can really be shown by the feeling of the back of the head.  When palpating the cranial rhythmical impulse (CRI) initially you might feel a bit of a discrepancy in the symmetry between sides.  You would need to do more assessment to be able to isolate the area involved.  Is there an inferior subluxation of the petrobasilar articulation?  Is it the occipitomastoid suture?  Is it the upper or lower limb of the occipitomastoid suture?  Is it the hingemastoid pivot at the parietal notch?  Or several other possibles?  I was happy to have reported to me that students were able to better isolate the areas prior to any specific tests.  This was only a small example of the great strides they have taken.

The last days consisted of two important things:

1. Reviewing any material that they had questions on. This part is so valuable and something you just don't get in weekend workshops.
2. Having patients come in. Working in pairs through the history, assessment and treatment phases of a session.  This is a great opportunity to put into practice the whole package of the material.  

I had a little fun with one group by saying the person had a cranial base dysfunction which they didn't in fact have.  After I told them what I found they looked at each other quizzically.  They said they found something else.  Upon asking if they where certain, they both retested the head and said yes they are both sure.  I laughed and said "good job!"  This is a very good example of three individuals assessing something and arriving at the same results.  This is the certainty that you want to have when working with a person's head!

A big THANK YOU to the whole group and a WELL DONE!