Slow-Wave Oscillations in the Craniosacral Space: A Hemoliquorodynamic Concept of Origination

Abstract

The mechanism of formation of rhythmic, slow-wave oscillations in the craniospinal cavity were studied. Synchronous bioimpedance traces were made of the head and lumbosacral part of the spine in five healthy young subjects at rest and during voluntary breath-holding; these reflect changes in the ratios of blood and CSF volumes in these parts of the craniospinal space. Computer amplitude-frequency and spectral analysis of the data (Macintosh G-4, Chart-5.2) demonstrated slow (6-12 cycles/min) and rapid (pulsatile) oscillations in different directions in the cranial and lumbosacral areas. These data suggested a hemoliquorodynamic hypothesis for the craniosacral rhythm. The pulsatile and slow-wave oscillations of cerebrovascular tone and intracranial pressure evidently initiate to-and-fro displacements of the CSF in the caudal direction. The associated tonic contractions of the musculature of the lumbar part of the spine and the mobility of the sacrum are detected manually as the craniosacral rhythm.

Direct measurement of the rhythmic motions of the human head identifies a third rhythm

“…As studies on palpated and measured rates of head movements have shown a wide range (review in Nielson et al 2006), it is possible that different studies may report on different rhythms under the same name, the CRI. Previous reported experimental studies had found a CRI range from 6 -14 cpm ( Moskalenko et al 2001, 2004, 2009, Upledger and Karni 1979, Lockwood and Degenhardts 1998 comparable with the first palpation study (Woods and Woods 1961) reporting a CRI range of 10 -14 cpm. As the mentioned studies above did not report separation of the CRI and the respiratory rhythmic head movements ( Moskalenko et al 2001, 2004, 2009, Upledger and Karni 1979, Lockwood and Degenhardts 1998, the reported range of the CRI may include or be the head movements generated by respiratory breathing.…”

A global view of osteopathic practice – mirror or echo chamber?

“…31 Moskalenko et al (2009) undertook another uncontrolled basic science study of five volunteers investigated with synchronous bioimpedance traces to develop an 'hemoliquorodynamic hypothesis' that allegedly led to unquantified 'changes in lumbar muscle tone and sacral motion'. 32 None of these basic science studies provides evidence supportive of the hypothesis of OCF nor reason for any difference in conclusions from 1999 to 2013.…”

Evolving story: trepanation and self-trepanation to enhance brain function

“…Feilding published a book on trepanation ("Blood and Consciousness", 2001) and ran twice (1979 -40 votes, 1983 -139 votes) for British Parliament, with a platform fighting specifically for public funding of trepanation ("Trepanation for the National Health") ( Figure 3A). She now financially supports and co-authors Russian researchers on the relationships between blood and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and consciousness 20, 21,22 , and supports research on consciousness and psychoactive drugs and the creation of balanced drug policies via the Beckley Foundation (http://beckleyfoundation.org).…”

“…The study could not prove physiological changes using MRI methods (not described) but all the individuals are said to be satisfied with the procedure. Halvorson and Feilding coauthored a number of studies on brain blood and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics 20, 21,22,25 . The one most quoted by the ITAG (a translation from an article first published in Russian) concerns people submitted to neurosurgery for different and unstated reasons 20 .…”

“…Researchers from the I.M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, St. Petersburg, published a number of papers coauthored by Feilding and Halvorson and, with funding provided by their foundation, evaluated changes in cranial compliance and blood flow after craniectomy or during aging 20, 21,22,23,24,25 . The ITAG supported another unpublished study evaluating MRI changes in 15 people who voluntarily submitted to trepanation, and its site includes pdf versions of studies on perivascular cerebrospinal fluid dynamics presented as supportive evidence for trepanation.…”