The Rhythmic Impulse

The body has a self healing mechanisms. One of these mechanisms is the third pulse of the body that emanates from the central nervous system. This inherent motility of the brain and spinal cord occurs with the initial inspiration of the breath of life at birth. This primary respiratory mechanism called the cranial rhythmic impulse which is associated with a very slight coiling and uncoiling of the spinal cord and the central nervous system. The bones of the head and the central nervous system become slightly wider and shorter from front to back in the inspiration or flexion phase of the sphenobasilar synchondrosis. In the exhalation phase, the primary phase, the primary respiratory mechanism moves in just opposite direction. The head and central nervous system becomes longer and slightly wider. This amount of movement is in the millimeter range. One measurement placed it within hundredths of an inch. But this varies according to where one measures the motion, at which suture.

The fluctuation of the cerebral spinal fluid occurs with the motion of the billions of glial cells in the central nervous system and this movement occurs in the relatively closed container of the cranium. As the brain and spinal cord change shape and go through the cycle of inhalation and exhalation/flexion and extension, the cerebral spinal fluid fluctuates back and forth within the spaces of the brain and spinal cord. This helps push the cerebral spinal fluid through the small channels around the nerved down the spinal cord and exiting the central nervous system into the peripheral nervous system. The motion of the membranes of the head called the dura mater that surround the bones and house the vessels in the skull. The dura membranes appear as the three attached sickle shaped membranes forming a tripod to support the brain and skull.

They are called the falx cerebri and the tentorum cerebelli with a small slip dividing the left and right half of the cerebellum. They limit and control the slight motion of the bones of the head effecting the whole fasat mechanism involving the cranium to the sacrum. The dura membranes are firmly attached at the foramen magnum, second and third cervical vertebra and the sacral segment. The 26 bones of the head are in slight rhythmic motion along with the cerebral spinal fluid, the central nervous system, the dural membranes and the sacrum. These cranial bones are architecturally designed to fit together with various grooves and gear-like articulation with each other. The sutures are comprised on connective tissues, membranes and blood vessels with elastic tissue identified microscopically. Since the dura is firmly attached at the base of the skull and the sacrum, motion of the cranial mechanism is transmitted into the sacrum. The cranium and the sacrum work together in a flexion and extension phases. This constant rhythmic motion moves the sacrum into nutation and antinutation.