Neural Manipulation with Alain Croibier D.O.

Note: Modules can also be followed separately. 

This training is a great opportunity that is offered by Panta Rhei. In a single unit of three seminars spread over 18 months, the fundamental teachings on the manipulations of the nervous system are gathered in a coherent way. They are intended to allow osteopaths to acquire theoretical knowledge relating to the different facets of this type of manipulation and the practical know-how necessary for their implementation.

The nervous system is subject to sometimes colossal forces to which it must constantly adapt. Contrary to popular belief that it is well sheltered from mechanical stresses, it is the seat of many tensions that it can withstand thanks to its structural organization and its singular tissue properties.

It is a major element of human mechanics and a fundamental player in joint dynamics. Every osteopath should know its scope. It is enough that the quality of neural or perineural tissues is compromised somewhere for the entire balance of this system to be destabilized and symptoms to appear.

The techniques presented are those that have been exposed and developed in the various books co-written by Jean-Pierre BARRAL and Alain CROIBIER. It is anatomy, dissections and especially clinical experience that have been the basis. These manual techniques are an excellent response to the growing demand for efficiency in daily practice.

Objectives and Means

1. Understand the interest of neural manipulations and their different uses;
2. Understand the basics of neural mechanics and their place in osteopathy;
3. Acquire a practice allowing the effective execution of these techniques:
   1. Respect of a progression to best approach the finesse of these manipulations;
   2. Based on solid palpatory foundations, priority will be given to the search for autonomy of the practitioner, both diagnostic and technical, rather than the assimilation of a “catalogue of techniques”;
   3. Focusing of the course essentially on the feeling and practice of precise palpation and respectful manipulations of neural tissue;
4. Design certain interactions involving the neural system, their symptomatology, functional pathologies of the nervous system and their treatments;
5. Easily integrate the practice of neural manipulations into the daily clinic;

Theoretical data

The following points will be developed, among others:

1. Elements of Neural Mechanics
2. Place of the neural concept in osteopathy
   1. Relationship to the Craniosacral System
   2. Interests of neural manipulations
   3. Dura mater applications
3. Basics of neural manipulations in osteopathy
4. Palpation and differential palpation of nerves
5. Roles of pressures on the various neural components:
   1. Brain and Intracranial Pressure
   2. Peripheral nerves, intrinsic and extrinsic pressures
6. Electromagnetism and perineural system

NM1: Neuromeningeal System

1. Remarkable functional anatomy
   1. Protection of the brain
   2. Neural balance
   3. Dura Mater and other meninges
   4. Real and supposed attachments
   5. Key vertebrae and weathervane vertebrae
2. Diagnosis
   1. Listening
   2. Local differential diagnosis
   3. Balance of the brain
   4. Cranial and spinal dura mater
3. Neuromeningeal techniques:
   1. The central nervous system: brain and spinal cord
   2. The tent of the cerebellum;
   3. Lumbosacral dura mater;
   4. Connections to the different plexuses;
   5. Peri-encephalic pressure
4. Clinical applications:
   1. Peripheral neuralgia: cervicobrachial neuralgia, sciatica
   2. Different neurological pathologies.
   3. Spinal mechanics, disc elements and the consequences of certain traumas

NM 2: Peripheral nerves

The peripheral nerves conduct all nerve impulses, whatever their nature. They have their own mechanics and their own lesions,

They can be affected in their microvascularization, in their micro-innervation or in their constituent connective tissues. This is called intra-neural fixation.  They can also be affected by all the tissues around them, fascia, tendon muscles, bones. In this case, we speak of extra-neural fixation.

The main objectives of this part of the course will be to become familiar with:

1. Palpation of the nerves, which requires precision, softness and finesse;
2. The diagnosis of neural fixations and the knowledge of the usual points of weakness of neural mechanics;
3. The main processing techniques that restore optimal conditions for neural functioning.

Palpation, testing and manipulation will focus mainly on key areas where, frequently, the nerves suffer mechanically. Most often these are areas related to symptoms that are encountered daily in practice:

We will see neural listening and processing of the following:

1. Cervico-Brachial plexus and its main branches: Suprascapular, Axillary, Radial, Median and Ulnar nerves;
2. Lumbar plexus and its main branches: Obturator and Femoral nerves;
3. Sacral plexus and its main branches: Sciatica nerves and gluteaneous nerves;
4. Sacrococcygeal plexus and its main branch: Pudendal nerve;
5. Clinical applications:
   1. We will see that these techniques are part of the specific treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder and elbow joint pain, sciatica and cruralgia.

NM3: Cranial nerves

The goal of this part of the course is to learn to address  the content rather than  the  cranial container, through precise manipulations targeted at the neurological elements. We will see the manipulation of cranial nerves, where they are accessible.

In this way, it is possible to perform a fine balancing of disorders deeply affecting the craniosacral system. Much of our effects are on the many mechanoreceptors and nociceptors that participate, among other things, in the sensitivity of the brain scythe, the tentorium of the cerebellum, the dura mater and the cranial sutures.

Palpation, tests and manipulations will focus on the cranial nerves that have the most impact in the clinic. For each nerve will be considered a brief anatomical reminder, the symptoms that give the fixation and the interests of manipulating this nerve. Depending on the time available, manipulations of other nerves will be performed.

We will see more particularly the following nerves, with their various anastomoses:

1. Trigeminal nerve in its three components: ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular;
2. Superior cervical nerves;
3. Optic nerve;
4. Facial nerve;
5. Vagus nerve;
6. Nerves of the ear;
7. Hypoglossal nerve;
8. Clinical applications:
   1. attachments of the cranial dura mater: place in radiculagia and peripheral neuralgia;
   2. attachments of the brain: post-traumatic sequelae, degenerative pathologies;

Neural manipulations provide new perspectives on certain neurological conditions and on the management of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system and pain of the musculoskeletal system.

Module 1 + 2 geaccrediteerd NRO (Module 3 nog in aanvraag) / NOF in aanvraag