Cranial/Structural techniques, a vital component of Structural Energetic Therapy (SET), release the soft tissue restrictions of the normal cranial motion resulting in structural changes throughout the body, and can impact the body in phenomenal ways such as enhancing the process of restoring homeostasis and healing.

The cranial bones serve mainly as handles to release the restrictions in the reciprocal tension membrane and dura, similar to the humerus bone when we move an arm through its range of motion to restore motion to a shoulder. The goal is to release the soft tissue restrictions that limit the range of motion, not to move a bone into place. Cranial technique is restoring motion, not positioning, or adjusting the bones. The restriction of the motion of the cranial bones is held within the soft connective tissue, and restoration of the cranial motion is dependent upon the mobilization of the soft tissue.

Within the structure of every client’s body there exists a core distortion pattern. Many liken it to a spiral that runs throughout the structure resulting in an anterior/posterior rotation of the iliums, a tipped sacrum and a degree of classic scoliosis. This spiral is evident from the top of the head down to the feet, and not surprisingly is also found in the relationship of the bones and soft tissue of the cranium. When clients are experiencing musculoskeletal pain, there is an observable increase in the degree of this distortion. This can be viewed as a degree of structural collapse, or a lack of structural support. The resulting pain can either be evidenced in the compensation for this increased distortion, or in the strain in the musculature of the actual distortion. Thus the key to relieving the painful symptoms and rebalancing the structural support system lies in releasing this exaggerated core distortion.

A missing link in the treatment to stabilize the pelvis was found in the relationship between the cranial bones, reciprocal tension membrane, dura, and the myofascial planes of the body. Dr. G. Dallas Hancock, a chiropractic physician, discovered the relationship between two of the cranial bones, the sphenoid and occiput, the sphenobasilar synchondrosis (SBS) where they meet, and the torsion of the pelvis. The rotation of the iliums and tilting of the sacrum were mirrored in the rotation of the wing of the sphenoid and the tilting of the occiput. In an attempt to release the torsion of the pelvis he developed a successful technique of releasing the cranial torsion of the SBS.

The distortion found in the SBS joint is supported by the restrictions in the reciprocal tension membrane, the dura, and fascia, which affect the entire structure of the body. The techniques developed by Dr. Hancock to unwind the torsion of the membrane and dura, in turn released the restrictions in the myofascial planes of the body that related directly to the dura. In addition, with the release of the restrictions in the dura, its relationship to the sacrum allowed the sacrum and the iliums to balance. The greatest significance of this was that the weight bearing separation of the SI joint was corrected, even though the ligaments had been stretched.

Cranial work that focuses on this structural shift is called Cranial/Structural due to its direct relationship to structural balance. Prior to having these techniques to balance the SBS, and correct the weight bearing collapse found in the core distortion pattern, I was unable to achieve a long-term correction of the distortion in the pelvis.

Cranial/Structural techniques are most effective when applied at the beginning of the first session to release the core distortion pattern and balance the SI joint. However, the soft tissue (dura, reciprocal tension membrane, and fascia) would only release just so far using the Cranial/Structural techniques alone. The structure of the body was trying to move into balance, but the soft tissue that was tightened forming adhesions and restrictions in the holding pattern of the core distortion would impede the process. To complete the balancing process, it is absolutely necessary to include specific myofascial release, myofascial unwinding, and scar and adhesion fiber work to allow the whole body to begin to move into structural balance.

- Don McCann, founder Structural Energetic Therapy (SET)