A hypothesis to explain the palpatory experience and therapeutic claims in the practice of osteopathy in the cranial field

A hypothesis is proposed which suggests biomechanical changes affect physiological mechanisms that may explain the therapeutic effects and tissue changes palpated by practitioners of osteopathy in the cranial field (OCF). It is suggested that the subtle application of manual compression between a practitioner’s hands may cause a net negative charge in the collagen matrix resulting in a change of state from a gel to a sol. This is attributed to biochemical changes and the thixotropic properties of collagen.It is also hypothesized that ionic movement results in an electrochemical gradient which causes changes in the cellular/plasma membrane permeability. Altered cation (hydrogen and calcium ions) distribution, present in the extracellular fluid, results in 1) an electrochemical gradient which causes changes in the cellular/plasma membrane permeability and 2) the stimulation of a local vasomotive response. It is postulated that the stimulation of a local vasomotive response within the extracellular matrix (ECM) is perceived by the practitioner of OCF as feeling a change in the quality of the “primary respiratory mechanism” (PRM)a and the “cranial rhythmic impulse” (CRI).bRestoring a normal electrochemical/ionic gradient across the cellular/plasma membrane, equilibrium is reached and it is hypothesized that this is the point of balanced fluid interchange (BFI), a point practitioners of OCF refer to as a “still point”. Other physiological mechanisms and their implications are discussed to 1) explain other palpatory findings felt during the therapeutic response and 2) to explain the reported changes in the quality of the PRM/CRI, made by OCF practitioners, after a still pointc has been reached.

► Hypotheses explaining the therapeutic claims made by osteopaths in the cranial field.
► It is suggested compression applied to the collagen matrix causes a state change.
► This is attributed to the thixotropic properties of collagen and biochemical changes.
► The biomechanical changes may account for the tissue change felt by OCF practitioners.