What is Craniopathy?
Craniopathy is the study of the skull and the restoration of proper function. Chiropractic Craniopathy, also known as SOT cranial, is an advanced aspect of Sacro Occipital Technique (S.O.T.) as well as a complete system of health care on its own. The focus of craniopathy is the physical position of the 22 interlinked bones of the skull and the resulting function of the central nervous system. Its practice involves cranial adjustments that may be applied for the prevention of treatment and also for health improvement services.
The primary purpose of this treatment is to promote the optimal function of the central nervous system. This is done to improve overall health and wellness as well as to treat a variety of conditions. These conditions include but are not limited to
- Migraines
- Cranial/dental issues
- Orthodontic issues
- Ear infections and tinnitus
- Vertigo
- Head injuries
- Concussion complications
- Tongue and lip ties
- Speech problems
- Eye pain/pressure
- Sinus headaches
- Teeth grinding
- TMJ pain/clicking
- Facial pain
- Hypertension/hypotension
- Emotional trauma
- “Flat head syndrome”
- Sleep disturbances
- Hormone imbalances
- Insomnia
- Loss of memory/brain fog
- Loss of energy
What Happens During a Cranial Adjustment?
Cranial adjustments require assessing the sutures (moveable joints) in the skull, as well as the membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord, called the dura. After the doctor determines the exact location of the misaligned cranial bone (subluxation) using the S.O.T. system of analysis, an adjustment is performed. The correction is made by applying gentle pressure to one of the cranial bones, in a specific direction while the patient breathes in or out in a pattern that will assist the correction.
Craniopathy for Babies and Young Children
Craniopathy can be used to treat babies and young children by using gentle manipulation to repair the distortions to the delicate plates in the skull that can cause discomfort and pain. The most common cause of these faults is difficulty in the birth process. Even a “natural” birth, without complications, can result in cranial misalignments. Long or short labor, and c-sections, are much more likely to result in cranial misalignments.
These misalignments often do not self-correct and can even have an impact on the growth and development of the face and skull. The good news with babies and young children is that they are still in the developmental stage. The earlier the problem is diagnosed and treated, the better the results!
Chiropractic
What you need to know
Sacro Occipital Technique (S.O.T.) is a gentle, highly analytical chiropractic technique which was developed by Dr. M.B. DeJarnette. It was one of the earliest techniques (dating back to 1925) and remains one of the most progressive, contemporary, and thoroughly researched techniques available to chiropractors today. In S.O.T., the doctor understands three main subluxation patterns alter normal body function. S.O.T. is also the only chiropractic technique that incorporates specialized, proven TMJ/orthodontic co-treatment protocols. Each pattern is called a category.
S.O.T. practitioners utilize full spine adjusting techniques as well as pelvic wedges to balance the pelvis and facilitate the flow of cerebrospinal fluid throughout the central nervous system. This allows the body to efficiently adapt to both environmental and gravitational stress.
In addition, S.O.T. doctors address soft tissue, extremities, viscera, and the cranium in their analyses and correction of the various subluxation patterns. When considering all those areas mentioned, S.O.T. becomes one of the most unique and comprehensive approaches to chiropractic today.
Each category has its own analysis and adjusting procedures:
Category I
Addresses subluxation patterns which involves the central nervous system directly.
Category II
Comprises a primary subluxation of the posterior Sacroiliac joint, and the musculoskeletal compensations which result from pelvic instability.
Category III
Consists of a primary lumbar instability or vertebral subluxation, and its resulting complications.
