The skull and sacrum work together to pump a fluid around the brain and spinal cord. This fluid, called cerebrospinal fluid, (csf), is very important for brain and spinal cord health. The goal of cranial therapies is to insure the health of this pumping mechanism which has a profound effect on the overall nervous system.

Dr. Smith does two types of cranial therapies, CranioSacral Therapy, and SOT. CranioSacral Therapy comes from the Osteopathic tradition and is taught by the Upledger Institute to people of all walks of life. CranioSacral Therapy is a very gentle technique that addresses the cranio-sacral pump on a very global holistic level.

SOT (SacroOccipital Technique) is a chiropractic technique system founded by Dr. Major DeJarnette, who was both a chiropractor and an osteopathic doctor. As such, SOT cranial work is very well integrated with chiropractic adjusting. Dr. DeJarnette identified many common patterns in the way the body adapts to physical stress or injury that involve both cranial, spinal and muscular considerations. Addressing all aspects of an adaptation pattern helps your entire body heal more quickly and completely.

Both methods of cranial therapy calm the nervous system and are very helpful for the person who is on the go and would like to attain a deep level of relaxation in a very short period of time. Clients often fall asleep while receiving cranial therapy or their stomachs will rumble, an indication that their nervous system is switching from the stressful "fight flight" mode to the "rest and digest" mode of relaxation.

Cranial therapy is a small part of nearly every treatment at Balance Chiropractic, but it is particularly beneficial for clients that have the following conditions:

• Headaches, migraine, tension and sinus, post-surgical
• Earaches, Ringing in the ears
• Jaw pain, popping or grinding
• Sinus congestion
• Head Injury, concussion
• Head forward posture
• ADD, ADHD
• Neck pain
• Stress related issues