NeuroCranial Restructuring
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 What
is NeuroCranial Restructuring?
This treatment is best known by its initials NCR and is a type of sphenoid
bone manipulation. The sphenoid bone is the bone that attaches the facial bones
to the skull, as it sits directly behind the nose. NCR involves manipulating
the sphenoid bone by insufflating a secured finger cot (blowing up a balloon)
on the tip of a blood pressure bulb. It was originally known as Bilateral Nasal
Specific Technique with anecdotal reports in the chiropractic archives dating
back to the 1920's. Dr. Dean Howell, Naturopathic Physician, later refined
the technique in the early 1980's. Top Why
Would I Want my Sphenoid Bone Manipulated?
We all know that the most important stabilizing structure for
a house is the foundation. The "foundation" for your skull is
the sphenoid bone. It is easy to see that most people have a
slight head tilt, when examining them in the
standing position. This slight imbalance or unleveling of the head puts additional
strain on the neck. The head usually weighs about 8 to 10 pounds. The rest
of the body may then try to compensate for this imbalance by dropping the shoulder,
producing a scoliotic curve, or by rotating the pelvis. Many other asymmetries
that involve the eyes, ears, nose, and cheekbones may also be easily detected.
NCR is one treatment used to resolve head tilts and facial asymmetries. There
are many other clues in the medical history that may suggest the need for NCR. Top
Symptoms
that may suggest need for NCR
- Pain on one
side of body
- Current condition
started with a blow to the head/face
- Sinus congestion/infection
- Ear congestion/infections
- Head and/or
neck involvement
- Decreased
mental clarity
- Alterations
in mood
- Non-refreshing
sleep
- Mouth breathing
- Difficulty
breathing out of one nostril Top
What
is the Importance of the Sphenoid Bone?
The sphenoid bone could be called the "central bone" in the head,
being the strongest skull bone and serving as an axis for the
entire head. It is the
primary point of stability for the entire skull, housing one forth of all 67
interlocking skull joints.1 The hypothalamus and pituitary glands, which control
the hormone production in the body, sit right on top of the sphenoid bone.
The sphenoid bone is also intricately involved in the functioning of the Eustachian
tube and various cranial sinus cavities.
1. Stockton, S. Dynamic Healing. Nature's Publishing, Murdock Florida, 1999,
p. 12. Top
What
are some Conditions where NCR can help?
NCR has been used to successfully treat the following conditions:
- Anxiety
- Attention
Deficit Disorder
- Breathing
Disorders
- Autism
- Orthodontic
Stress
- Sciatica
- Memory Difficulties
- Torticollis
- Mental Fog
- Tremors
- Depression
- Seizures
- Chronic Pain
- Dyslexia
- Sinus Problems
- Sleep Apnea
- Balance Difficulties
- Phobias
- Ear Infections
- Headaches
- Hyperactivity
- TMJ syndrome
- Vertigo
- Tinnitus
- Chronic Fatigue
- Neck Pain
- Vision Problems
- Hearing Problems
- Facial Pain
- Dizziness Top
How
Can NCR Help so Many Conditions?
The treatment optimizes the function of the brain and body, according to Dean
Howell, N.D., founder of NCR. He says that NCR normally produces long-term
changes with the eventual result of optimization of nervous system function.
One theory espoused by Dr. Howell is that NCR will idealize the fluid flow
characteristics of the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. The distribution of brain
neurotransmitters gradually equalizes after receiving NCR, so conditions such
as depression, anxiety, and memory improve.
2, 3 2. Howell,
D. NeuroCranial Restructuring. Promotional Material, 1999. 3.
Personal training in NCR and correspondence with Dean Howell,
N.D., Bellevue Washington, 1999. Top
Is
NCR Safe?
NCR has been given in over 1,000,000 treatment sessions without any significant
side effects. Some discomfort is felt during the procedure, but it generally
lasts only a few seconds. A sensation like water up the nose occurs after the
treatment, which may last for 10 minutes. An increase in sinus drainage is
often experienced after the procedure. Some people may feel tired or achy or
develop a slight nosebleed, but in general, people feel more alert and experience
increased mental clarity and more energy after NCR. Top
How
Do I Start NCR?
NCR, as taught by Dr. Howell, involves an initial facial/cranial structural
evaluation, enabling the clinician to determine which of the six nasal cavities
require insufflation with the balloon. The treatments are typically given on
four consecutive days with subsequent monthly reevaluation. At Caring Medical,
NCR is often used as an adjunctive treatment to other natural medicine protocols,
so often just one or two treatments are given. We still, however, recommend
monthly follow-up until the goals of treatment have been obtained.
If you are interested
in adding this treatment to your health care regime, please call
us at 708-848-7789 to make an appointment today! We hope that NCR
will take you far!
The statements
in this brochure should never take the place of the care given
by your personal physician. The FDA, AMA, or ADA has not evaluated
the statements. They are based on the experiences of the individual
physicians that practice NCR and their patients. A formal evaluation
by a clinician experienced in NCR is necessary to determine if
NCR applies to your particular condition.
"NCR …keeping
people active for life!" ™
Disclaimer: Certain
persons considered experts may disagree with one or more statements
made. Nevertheless, what is stated is based on sound authority,
medical experience, and actual treatments of patients. Top
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