What is Cranial Facial Release?

CFR or Cranial Facial Release is an advanced endo-nasal cranial technique that has been used quite successfully in the treatment of various neurological and structural disorders. It is a specialized technique that was derived from an earlier form of cranial treatment called Bilateral Nasal Specific (BNS) developed by the osteopaths in the early 1900’s. CFR was developed by Dr. Adam J. Del Torto, DC and is an offshoot of BNS and NCR techniques, but is much more specific and less invasive. The objective of CFR technique is to induce mobility in the cranial system - specifically the sphenoid bone - with the purpose of facilitating normal cranial respiratory function. The technique is performed by inserting tiny balloons in the nose (specifically the naso pharynx) then quickly inflating them to mobilize the cranial bones. It feels very similar to the sensation experienced when one jumps into a swimming pool and gets water up their nose. The whole procedure takes about 2 to 3 seconds, and it consists a series of 4-5 treatments over a seven day period.

Patients who seek CFR treatment are usually people who have been through the medical gamut and are looking for an alternative non-drug/non-surgical approach to wellness! Most of these people have suffered a great deal, and they are tired of being sick and drug-dependent. CFR has worked where conventional forms of treatment have failed.

List of Treatable Conditions

To understand how CFR works, it is important to know that the skull is NOT one solid bone. It is made up of 22 individual bones that join together and actually move every time you breathe. It is more of a flexion/extension type of movement, but each bone has its own specific direction of motion. This "cranial respiratory flexion/extension" is imperative to normal body function and to your overall health and well-being. In the hierarchy of the human body, brain function takes top priority. This is because all other body functions depend on a properly functioning nervous system for control (see the What Is Chiropractic? section). Sometimes these cranial movements are impaired and cause abnormal pressure on the brain. This impedes the flow of cerebral spinal fluid throughout the brain and spinal cord, depriving your nervous system of its necessary nutrients. This alters the function of the nervous system which directly affects normal body function.

Most disease processes start out as functional disorders - long term dysfunction eventually gives rise to disease. Our contention is that the majority of functional disorders in the body are either neurological or endocrine (hormonal-glandular) in nature, or both. These two systems comprise the complete control centers for the entire human body. The sphenoid bone is the primary structural component of this neuro-endocrine system. The Pituitary gland which is the "master gland", sits right on top of the sphenoid bone in a little saddle called the "sella tursica". Proper respiratory motion of the sphenoid bone is necessary for normal pituitary - hypothalamus function, as well as being responsible for the cranial meningeal system to pump cerebral spinal fluid throughout the brain and spinal cord. An aberration at this level has adverse somatic (musculo-skeletal) and visceral (organs) effects throughout the entire body, and recent research has shown this to be the root cause of many human diseases.

Aberrations of the cranial system are very common, and some of the different causes of cranial dysfunction may surprise you. Things like excessive force during the birth process causing cranial and/or cervical trauma, the use of forceps or suction extraction during delivery, innocent bumps on the head or face, conventional orthodontic procedures (i.e. braces), drug use, whiplash injuries, severe head trauma, etc. Cranial aberrations can be easily detected through CFR testing procedures, but there are cursory exams you can do at home - using a mirror, see if you can detect any facial asymmetries - such as one ear lobe being lower than the other, or one eye higher or wider than the other. Look for nostril asymmetries and nose deviations, or notice if your jaw is centered properly. Also see if it opens straight, or does it deviate to one side or the other when you open your mouth. All of these are indications of cranial problems which could eventually give rise to functional disorders and degenerative changes in your body.

Dr. Adam is one of only a handful of doctors in the U.S. who was certified by Dr. Howell in 1998 in NCR techique, and through his clinicial experence has developed a more advanced form of endo-nasal treatment. He combines his CFR technique with some of the old NCR protocols, plus incorporates other conventional cranial techniques as taught by Dr. Major Dejarnette, Dr. Marc Pick, DC, and Dr. John Upledger, D.O., to achieve dramatic healing results with his patients. This combination of cranial therapy’s is often used in conjunction with chiropractic care, nutritional therapy, and Acuscope/Myopulse treatment for total body healing.

The cost of the CFR treatment is $875 for the first series of four, and $725 for any additional series of treatments after that. Patients usually require 4-6 series of treatments over a six to eight month period to obtain optimum results.

According to Dr. Adam, "There are very few conditions that do not respond favorably to this unique treatment protocol. Best of all, there are no side effects - the worst you can do is get better!"

If you are considering this type of treatment, it is important that you be informed about it. For a free CFR video and information booklet, send us a self addressed manilla envelope with $5.00 postage to: DR. ADAM J. DEL TORTO, DC 730 N. Mariposa St. Burbank, CA 91506

For scheduling appointments with Dr. Adam:
please call our office number at 818-841-4100.

For more information on CFR / NCR treatment, visit www.nasalspecific.com