Cranial Facial Release

The skull is not a single bone but rather 22 individual bones that move each time you breathe. Cranial Facial Release is a way of adjusting the skull to address a whole host of neurological conditions and structural disorders.

Cranial Facial Release was developed in the 1930s by Dr. J. R. Stober. The procedure involves the use of a small inflatable balloon that is positioned in the nasal passage and carefully inflated. By inflating this balloon, adjustments can be performed to the various parts of the skull, particularly the sphenoid. Among many other benefits, the adjustment helps improve the flow of cerebral spinal fluid to the spinal column and the brain.

IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR CRANIAL FACIAL RELEASE (CFR)

Ideal candidates for Cranial Facial Release are people who have suffered head trauma or other kinds of disorders that have not been relieved by other means. Some issues that Cranial Facial Release can potentially address include the following:

• Problems related to concussions
• Migraine headaches
• TMJ disorders
• Issues related to whiplash injuries
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Vertigo
• Sleep apnea
• Respiratory problems
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

THE CRANIAL FACIAL RELEASE (CFR) PROCEDURE

During Cranial Facial Release, a balloon is carefully inserted into the nasal passage. The patient takes a breath and holds it. At this point, the balloon is briefly inflated to achieve adjustment. The procedure is generally not painful, and feels a bit like diving into a swimming pool and getting water lodged in the nose. It’s recommended that patients undergo four treatments total over the course of seven to ten days for a proper adjustment.

Potential side effects of Cranial Facial Release include nosebleeds, tenderness or soreness of the nose, and irritation of the throat. In rare instances, Cranial Facial Release may cause a mild headache in patients. These side effects are all generally mild and tend to last for only a few days.

THE RESULTS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF CRANIAL FACIAL RELEASE (CFR)

Many patients who undergo Cranial Facial Release report good overall results from treatment. This typically means improvement of the condition from which they were suffering, as well as a general sensation of well being. Cranial Facial Release is often part of various forms of treatment, and may prove essential for achieving wellness.

IS CRANIAL FACIAL RELEASE (CFR) RIGHT FOR ME?

The sure way to find out if Cranial Facial Release is right for you is to call (303) 688-8822 or visit the practice for a consultation. We can discuss all potential treatments with you in greater detail, and help develop an ideal treatment plan for your condition and symptoms.

Shockwave Therapy in Castle Rock

Brought to you by Miracle Wave^®

Our clinic shockwave therapist Kendal Unruh is certified by the International Shockwave Congress to assure the optimal treatment with a superior standard of healthcare.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (SWT) is a modality used for the treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, primarily applied to chronic conditions, particularly those affecting medium to large sized tendons and their insertions on bone such as:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Achilles Tendonopathy
• Retrocalcaneal Bursitis
• Lateral Epicondylosis (Tennis Elbow)
• Medial Epicondylosis (Golfer’s Elbow)
• Calcific Tendonitis (supraspinatus tendon, etc.)
• Patellar Tendinosis (Jumper’s Knee)
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Chronic Stress/Non-union Fractures

SWT has been available in Canada since the mid-90s but has recently been popularized with the advent of low energy SWT. SWT is an intervention that stimulates the body’s natural healing process. Additionally, SWT has been shown to have a direct effect on local nerve endings resulting in a decrease in pain. It is important to understand the difference between low energy and high energy SWT when considering whether you are an appropriate candidate for SWT and which type of SWT is most likely to yield positive results in the treatment of your condition.

High energy SWT or “true” shockwaves are classified as short duration (approx. 10msec) high energy pulses (5-100MPa) that break the sound barrier resulting in a shockwave. Our high energy shockwave technology allows the shockwave to be focused directly through the affected tissue resulting in several effects:

• Mechanical pressure and tension forces on the tissue which has been shown to increase cell membrane permeability thereby increasing microscopic circulation and therefore the metabolism within the treated area. This promotes healing and may result in the dissolution of calcific deposits.
• The pressure front creates behind it a “cavitation bubble” which are small empty cavities created behind a pressure front. When the bubbles collapse they create a resultant force that has a mechanical impact on the treated tissue. This force helps to break down calcific deposits embedded in damaged tissue.
• Shockwaves stimulate osteoblasts that are cells responsible for bone healing and new bone production.
• Shockwaves stimulate fibroblasts that are cells responsible for healing of connective tissue such as tendons.
• Diminishes pain by two mechanisms. 1. Hyperstimulation anesthesia – local nerve endings are overwhelmed with so many stimuli that their activity diminishes resulting in short-term reduction in pain. 2. Gate-control mechanism – whereby local nerves are stimulated to recalibrate perception of pain and result in longer-term reduction in pain.

There are three different mechanisms for generating high energy shock waves resulting in three different types of SWT device:

1. Electromagnetic shockwave (Sonocur and Dornier Epos machines)
2. Piezoelectric shockwave (Piezoson) * Electrohydraulic shockwave (I.E. HMT OssaTron machine)
3. Low energy shockwaves are generated by a radial pressure wave (I.E. Storz and Dolorcast machines).

This type of shockwave is more accurately described as a pressure wave and differs from “True” shock wave technology in the following ways:

• Low energy shockwaves travel at a much slower speed and don’t break the sound barrier and hence a “True” shockwave is not produced.
• Low energy shockwaves are longer, slower and less intense.
• Radial pressure waves diverge from the source unlike high energy shockwaves that converge on a target, resulting in less energy applied to the tissue with low energy SWT vs. high energy SWT.

Due to the reduced cost of low energy shockwave machines many patients may have the impression that they have received “True” shockwave therapy. This impression is often generated by misinformed patients and uninformed practitioners. There certainly can be differences in effectiveness of high energy vs. low energy shockwave therapy. In general the effectiveness of SWT tends to be between 60%-80%. Compliance with treatment and rehabilitation recommendations are important factors in achieving optimal results.