Dr. Tarcha is a certified Cranial Facial Release Doctor. She has helped patients suffering from migraine headaches, sinus congestion, deviated septum, post-concussion syndrome, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and other neurological conditions.
The majority of patients that come to our office for this procedure are looking for relief from sinus problems.
Sinus sufferers have tried everything from nasal sprays, Neti pots, de-congestion medications like Claritin, and sinus surgery. Many who have tried surgery, are still left with the same symptoms of post-nasal drip, trouble breathing, and congestion after paying thousands of dollars. The average costs of these surgeries like turbinate reduction, septoplasty, and balloon sinuplasty range from $9,000 to $15,000.
Our non-surgical treatment is a fraction of the cost and less invasive.
What is CFR and Why it Works
Cranial Facial Release (CFR) is an advanced endo-nasal “Balloon Assisted” cranial adjusting technique. It is a specialized technique that was derived from an earlier form of endo-nasal cranial adjusting called Bilateral Nasal Specific (BNS) pioneered by Dr. Richard Stober in the 1960’s and 70’s. CFR was originated by Dr. Adam Del Torto, DC and is an offshoot of BNS, but is much more specific and much less invasive.
The objective of CFR technique is to unlock cranial fixations and induce mobility in the cranial system – primarily targeting the sphenoid bone, with the purpose of facilitating normal cranial respiratory motion and normal cranial function. This technique is performed by inserting tiny balloons in the nose (specifically the naso pharynx) that are quickly inflated to mobilize the bones of the face and cranium. It is a very fast procedure and feels similar to the sensation of jumping into a swimming pool and having water shoot up your nose – it isn’t exactly painful, but not the most comfortable sensation either – but it’s quick! The whole process takes about 2 to 3 seconds, and is performed in a series of 4 individual days of treatment over a 7-10 day period.
CFR Success in Treating Professional Athletes Gains Media Attention
My associate, Dr. Del Torto appeared on the E! News TV show, demonstrating the procedure. Please watch the video below:
To understand how CFR works, it is important to realize that the skull is NOT one solid bone. It is made up of 22 individual bones that actually move every time you breathe – or at least they are supposed to. But cranial fixations are a common occurrence and often times the root cause of many chronic neurological conditions and recurrent pain syndromes that don’t respond to conventional chiropractic adjusting procedures. Frequent causes of cranial aberrations and sutural fixations are things like head trauma, birth trauma, uneven bite force (TMJ disorder), bruxism, etc., yet these conditions are seldom detected and rarely addressed by chiropractors.
It is important to realize that cranial motion is not “gross osseous movement” – it is more of an expansion & relaxation type of movement, with each cranial bone having its own specific direction of motion. This “cranial respiratory motion” works in direct conjunction with “sacral respiratory motion” and is the key mechanism by which Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) is produced in the choroid plexus and circulated throughout the brain and spinal cord. This is essential to normal brain function which is essential to normal body function, embodying the basic scientific and philosophical foundation of chiropractic.
What differentiates Cranial Facial Release from other endo-nasal techniques is that CFR is based on SOT (Sacro Occipital Technique) protocols with emphasis being placed on clearing everything below the level of the Atlas before adjusting the cranium. By “clearing everything below the Atlas” we are referring to the methods by which we locate and remove spinal subluxations and reduce torque off the dura before it enters into the cranial vault using SOT procedures and conventional chiropractic adjusting techniques. Relieving Dural Torque is a primary objective of CFR technique, as it plays an intricate role in cranial function and more importantly brain function. But relieving dural torque has an even greater effect on body function than just optimizing brain function. By reducing dural tension at its anterior attachment (at the diaphragma selli, which engulfs & ensheaths the base of the pituitary) it reduces mechanical torque on the pituitary gland and helps facilitate normal endocrine function.
Research Studies
This concept was supported by research performed in the late 1930’s by Dr. A.D. Speransky, M.D., Director of Research at the All Union Institute of Experimental Medicine and author of the book, A Basis for the Theory of Medicine. Through his research, Dr. Speransky determined that “slight mechanical torque on the control centers of the brain, and especially the pituitary-hypothalmus complex caused destructive pathologies throughout the entire body”. This was a 10-year study during which Dr. Speransky was able to identify over 80 specific disorders that he could directly attribute to this “mechanical torque” phenomena. CFR cranial balloon adjusting in conjunction with post-inflation CFR manual cranial adjusting procedures are specifically directed at reducing mechanical dural torque on the brain and pituitary gland. These studies lend support to the concept that CFR adjusting procedures enhances both brain and pituitary function, optimizing the primary two control systems of the body.
The majority of people who come in for CFR treatment are often last resort patients looking for sinus relief. They have been through the gamut of conventional medical procedures without success, and are looking for a more conservative alternative approach to care that is cost effective and works! For things like breathing disorders, sinusitis, snoring, sleep apnea, deviated septums, migraine headaches, vertigo, facial pain (Trigeminal Neuralgia), facial paralysis (Bell’s Palsy), TMJ disorder, Post-Concussion Syndrome, seizures, neurological disorders, and more. It has also been used successfully in the treatment of infants with craniometaphyseal dysplasia (infantile skull deformities), hydrocephalus, and children with learning disorders – which is primarily what Dr. Stober used it for.
Please call our office for more information, and insurance questions. (310) 318-9543.