Excerpt from Anthony P. Arnold, PhD, Rhythm and Touch, the Fundamentals of Craniosacral Therapy, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 2009.

The Upper Sides of the Skull: The Parietal Bones

The squamous suture between the temporal and parietal bones, forming a partial circle above and behind the ears, is unique. The edges of the bones meet on a diagonal, so the temporal bone overlaps the parietal. In the traditional release procedure, we first hold the parietal bones in as the craniosacral rhythm pushes the temporal bones outward. From about the same finger position, we then lift in a superior direction, that is, toward the top of the head.

At the frontal bone, we assisted in establishing flexibility along all its sutures, including the coronal suture, between the frontal and parietal bones. Our goal here is to assist the body in establishing flexibility along the squamous suture, with the temporal bones, and along the lambdoid suture, with the occiput (the back of the head). As the dura mater relaxes along these sutures, it may influence the falx cerebri. Thus, the inner fold of membrane beneath the sagittal suture can also release constriction.

Resting your forearms on the table, place your hands, palms inward, at the sides of the client’s head. Bringing your fingers just behind and above the ears, explore the surface as you slide them upward (toward the top of the head). Find the squamous suture, just above the ears. Exploring further, palpate the slight roughness or ridges on the sides of the skull, above the suture, near the curve of the parietal bone as it forms the top of the skull.

This is the contact area for this release: above the ears and the squamous suture, just below the curve of parietal bone to the top of head. You assure yourself that you are behind the frontal bone by staying just above the ears, on the back portion of the skull.

With your finger pads on the parietal bones, follow the craniosacral rhythm: bones and fingers moving inward, outward, inward. When you are confident of the rhythm, softly hold the parietal bones inward as the rhythm pushes outward. This holding is more by intention and touch than by the use of muscle. Stabilize the parietal bones, holding them inward with your finger pads while the rhythm continues for two cycles, a half minute or less. Then ease your touch, remaining lightly in contact.

Again, palpate the craniosacral rhythm for two or three cycles. The parietal bones are usually free to enter a release process that is similar for many of the bones of the cranium. Continue to touch lightly, but bring your energy from your hands into your body. Let your attention be broad rather than focused narrowly on the parietals.

Figure 39a. Finger Positions on the Parietal Bones. The fingers are placed on the parietals, behind the coronal suture with the frontal bone, and above the squamous sutures with the temporal bones. (See also figure 36.)

Figure 39b. Hands in Place for the Parietal Release. The fingers of each hand contact the parietal bones on each side of the head. The touch is high, near the rounded curve at the upper side of the skull. There the therapist may feel small ridges in the bone, caused by muscle attachments from the mandible.

The important factor is your presence, with respect for the amazing process you are a part of. Follow and work with the indications of release.

You may feel a hesitation on one side or the other. As restrictions ease, greater freedom of movement is restored along the squamous suture with the temporal bones, and along the lambdoid suture with the occiput. As the parietal bones release, the dura mater is affected as it extends around the base of the cranial vault and down the dural tube.
As you continue gently in contact, in tune with the client’s body, you may sense restriction or ease in the neck and shoulders. This is more likely in later sessions as you gain experience.

Whether you sense a full release along each suture of the parietal bones, or merely some signs of therapeutic release, disengage after a few minutes. Gently yet clearly lift your hands away from your client’s head.