Posted 10/8/2015 1:07 PM (GMT -7)
I feel for you. Has anyone talked about jammed atlas and occipital condyles? See http://erikdalton.com/occipital-neuralgia-headaches-addressing-oa-joint/ If you have not been to a craniosacral therapist, you should find one. I have been taught an A-O release by a DC that is different from the CST approach. Then there's a mention on this site: http://www.upcspine.com/anatomy2.htm of a different way for them to jam.
I will try to paste on an old article with symptoms for A-O.
Hope this helps. These things are usually too subtle for the avg Md to see. I have learned that when someone comes in for a massage with a long term headache, esp if it hurts worse if they laugh, it's time to do the A-O release. They are generally very happy afterwards. Also I tell them that I went from my DC doing it, to getting my husband to do it, to just using a chair arm to do my own.
OCCIPITAL RELEASE
(AKA Jugular Decompression, Condylar Decompression)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Upledger (1) describes a procedure for disengaging the occipital condyles from being jammed between the articular surfaces of the atlas, allowing the occipital condyles to spread, thus decompressing the jugular foramen and normalizing flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the foramen magnum. Goodheart incorporated this procedure into A.K.
SYMPTOMS & INDICATIONS: Dysfunction of Cranial nerves IX through XI may be caused by cranial base dysfunction and relieved by its correction:
Loss of gag reflex (IX, X), dysphagia (X), loss of taste in the posterior third of the mouth (IX), increased salivation (IX), hoarseness, aphonia or dysphonia, pharyngeal or laryngeal spasms (X), esophageal spasms (X), cardiospasm (X), pylorospasm (X),
uvula deviation (X), paralysis or assymetry of soft palate (X), cough (X), gastric dysfunction (X), cardiac arrhythmias (X), respiratory disorders (X), SCM or trapezius malfunction (XI). Upledger also lists headache, “hyperkinetic” behavior in children, respiratory distress in newborns. Frymann lists “nervous,” gi, cardio respiratory symptoms in infants.
A.K. INDICATIONS: Any microfixation of the occiput and atlas may be helped by this procedure, for instance: positive rocker motion challenge, positive challenge for occiput fixation, positive test for “pitch”, “pitch-turn” or “yaw 1” patterns.
CORRECTION:
Patient supine. Dr. cups the base of the occiput in his hands with straight fingers, flexed on the hand to support the atlas. Weight of patient’s head and neck rests on fingertips. This gentle anterior pressure on the atlas allows the occiput to float back in relation to the atlas. Hold until occipital freedom is felt, 1-4 minutes.
After the occiput has become free on the atlas, Upledger adds a gentle spreading pressure on the occiput with the hypothenar eminences. The intention is to release compression and tensions around the foramen magnum and jugular foramina.
References for Condylar Decompression Technique
1. Upledger, John E., & Jon D. Vredevoogd, Craniosacral Therapy, Eastland Press, Chicago, 1983
2. Goodheart, George J., 1990-1991 Applied Kinesiology Workshop Procedure Manual, pages 74-76.
3. Leaf, David, Applied Kinesiology Flowchart Manual, 2nd Edition, page SP-30.
Requested rating: Approved.
Rater, Kathy Conable