A Balanced Spheno-basilar Junction has an important role in your health
Are you Experiencing one or more of the following?
What It Is
The spheno-basilar junction, SBJ for short, refers to the cartilaginous junction of the sphenoid bone and the basilar portion of the occipital bone at the base of the skull. In healthy individuals, this junction is mobile. How It MovesThe skull has very complex patterns of movement. There are at least two different rhythms to which the skull moves. One is the breathing cycle and the other is the cranial pulse as described in craniosacral therapy.
These rhythms act to expand the cranial bones and then return them to their resting state. For instance, when we breathe in, pressure is applied to the front of the sphenoid bone. This pressure subtly rotates this bone forward while indirectly rotating the base of the occipital bone upward. This movement 'opens' the SB junction and allows for proper inhalation.
When we breathe out, the pressure is released and the sphenoid and occipital bone return to their resting position. The SB junction 'closes' which allows for proper exhalation. Exaggerated motion of the cranial bones for illustration purposes. The sphenoid bone is shown in yellow. The occipital bone is shown in orange.
What It DoesThis very small movement affects the:
Circulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid
Function of Pituitary Gland
Breathing Cycle
How The SBJ Can Be Impaired
Symptoms Of An Impaired SBJ
Restricted Craniosacral Pulse
Hormonal Imbalances
Distortion of the Breathing Cycle
The spheno-basilar junction, SBJ for short, refers to the cartilaginous junction of the sphenoid bone and the basilar portion of the occipital bone at the base of the skull. In healthy individuals, this junction is mobile. How It MovesThe skull has very complex patterns of movement. There are at least two different rhythms to which the skull moves. One is the breathing cycle and the other is the cranial pulse as described in craniosacral therapy.
These rhythms act to expand the cranial bones and then return them to their resting state. For instance, when we breathe in, pressure is applied to the front of the sphenoid bone. This pressure subtly rotates this bone forward while indirectly rotating the base of the occipital bone upward. This movement 'opens' the SB junction and allows for proper inhalation.
When we breathe out, the pressure is released and the sphenoid and occipital bone return to their resting position. The SB junction 'closes' which allows for proper exhalation. Exaggerated motion of the cranial bones for illustration purposes. The sphenoid bone is shown in yellow. The occipital bone is shown in orange.
What It DoesThis very small movement affects the:
Circulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid
- The sphenoid bone articulates directly or indirectly with all other cranial bones.
- The movement of the cranial bones forms the craniosacral pulse/rhythm
- This pulse pumps cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and spinal cord, delivering nutrients, removing wastes and modulating the neuroimmune system.
Function of Pituitary Gland
- The pituitary gland sits in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone and is regarded as the master gland of the endocrine system.
- The movement of the sphenoid bone contributes to the circulation of fluids within the pituitary.
- This circulation assists hormones produced by the pituitary to be transported into the blood supply and distributed throughout the body.
- These hormones control growth, blood pressure, certain functions of the sex organs, thyroid glands and metabolism, certain aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, nursing, water/salt concentration and the kidneys, temperature regulation, pain relief and more (Klibanski and Trios 2013).
Breathing Cycle
- An efficient breathing cycle is imperative for the elimination of carbon dioxide, the adequate intake of oxygen, ATP production, and cardiovascular capability.
- A spirometer can measure the breath volume before and after a correction to the SBJ is made.
How The SBJ Can Be Impaired
- Hit to the head
- Act of being born. Cranial bones compressed for too long
- Giving birth
- Getting the wind knocked out of you
- Excessive coughing
- Falling on tailbone
Symptoms Of An Impaired SBJ
Restricted Craniosacral Pulse
- Cerebrospinal fluid can no longer circulate properly around the brain and spinal cord impairing neuron function.
- Individual may experience brain fog, lack of mental clarity, poor memory, depression, tension headaches, migraines, and impairment of the senses.
- Neurons in the peripheral nervous system may be affected which can impact organ function.
Hormonal Imbalances
- The function of the pituitary gland will become impaired.
- Individual may experience a multitude of hormonally related problems including but not limited to: hyper or hypothyroidism, digestive disorders, a general feeling of tiredness, depression, difficulty sleeping, heavy menstrual cycles, difficulty regulating body temperature, and much more.
Distortion of the Breathing Cycle
- Based on how the SBJ is impaired the individual will either have poor inhalation, exhalation or both.
- Poor inhalation can lead to hypoxia, lack of oxygen within the body, which will lead to poor ATP production, high levels of lactic acid (acidosis), a general feeling of tiredness, and bodily aches and pains. Over time, this acidosis can lead to cancer. Emotionally, the individual may begin to feel depressed and lose the "spark" that made them perform their best.
- Poor exhalation can lead to respiratory acidosis as CO2 levels build up inside the body placing additional stress on the kidneys to excrete the acidic buildup. Emotionally, the individual may develop a defensive personality, be hyperactive, unable to relax, and be emotionally uptight with difficulty 'letting go'.
- If both poor inhalation and exhalation are taking place there will be a mix of the above symptoms.