The Cranial-Sacral Pump
Published in the Times Standard
      A recent article (Oct. 21, 2004) published by NASA explores, investigates movement of the cranial bones in response to changes in pressure inside the skull.  Astronauts often suffer nausea, vomiting, and swelling in the upper body and head.  Lack of gravity causes the fluids in the lower body to rise creating this pressure and swelling.  It is called space adaptation syndrome (SAS) and it reflects the intracranial pressure (ICP).  If the pressure in the cranium is too high, as in severe head trauma, the patient lapses into a coma and often times dies.  Using an ultrasound method, NASA monitors the ICP detecting subtle movements of the skull.
      The care of the cranium is an ancient form of healing for thousands of years in many cultures. Doctors of Chiropractic and Osteopathy early in the 20th century rediscovered this important art and science. Cranial-sacral therapy has for years been an important method to the chiropractic healthcare field.
      The skull is made up of many cranial bones; 8 bones that protect the brain and cranial nerves and 14 smaller bones making up the lower front of your skull. The movement of the cranial bones in rhythm with the sacrum at the other end of the spine acts like a double-action pump moving the spinal fluid, bathing the brain and neurons. The fluid provides the proper environment for the brain’s neural activity.
      Through head trauma from falls, accidents, sports injuries and even difficult birth, the cranial bones can be subluxated or fixated. Correcting the movement of these bones is necessary to remove pressure on the brain, cranial nerves, spinal cord and the nervous system in general. Headaches, sinusitis, visual disturbances, balance problems, neck and lower back pain are just a few conditions that have been helped through cranial adjusting.
      The adjustment is achieved by light force usually with an adjusting instrument. The procedure, called KST or Koren Specific Technique, is quick and gentle. The correction is done once usually and lasts for long periods of time depending on the severity of the injuries.
Many recurring health and pain symptoms are related to the cranial-sacral subluxations or fixations. Call our office for a complimentary consultation. You could be in for a life-changing experience through chiropractic “naturally”. 
Crosbie Chiropractic
Michael H. Crosbie, D.C.
1828 Main Street
Fortuna, CA 95540
(707) 725-5668