Cranio-sacral therapy was developed within the field of osteopathy, inspired and developed by Dr. Andrew Taylor Sills, D.O. But long before Sills, ancient peoples of India and Egypt practiced cranial manipulation. Members of indigenous cultures in Peru also developed healing practices related to the listening of the cranium, and in the 18th century, scientists described a rhythmic motion of the brain, noting it moving in regular cycles of expansion and contraction.

As an alternative approach, cranio-sacral therapy has been one of the most recognized and established healing strategies since the early 1900s. This practice has a proven track record of success, backed by research, showing its effectiveness in promoting overall healing.

As a special technique within cranio-sacral work, intra-oral manipulation can provide a “fast track” to resolving health issues because the structures accessible through the mouth serve as a conduit directly to the nervous system and other areas of the body. Intra-oral work consists of manipulating the bony structures and tissue composing the anatomy of the forehead, sinus cavity, the region encompassing the eyes and the articulation of the mandible and jaw.

In the forehead, the sphenoid bone holds special importance from a cranio-sacral perspective. It sits at the front floor of the cranium and encompasses the back portion of the eye sockets. Cranial nerves, that pass through and alongside the sphenoid, can become compressed, especially through head injuries and development of scar tissue. When this happens, the nerve fibers become static and immobile and often give a feeling of being “stuck”. Problems with eyesight and facial pain can be relieved through intra-oral work, enabling the nerves running through the sphenoid to relax, or decompress, and restoring the bony structure’s ability to expand, contract and flow in its natural, healthy rhythm.

Intra-oral work is usually done by a gloved practitioner and includes some dynamic stretching of the jaw (mandible) as well as the upper and lower palates in the mouth. The methodology also includes precise stretching of the muscles that surround the lower part of the jaw. These muscles are called the lateral and medial pterygoid muscles. This area also includes nerves that enter the deep surface of the muscle that can be engaged through this method.

• Intra-oral work can assist with releasing tension in the upper back and neck/shoulder area of the spine (cervical spine) and decrease pain from stenosis and degeneration of discs.

• Neurological compression of the neck, which can give rise to numbing and tingling into the arms and fingers as well as the legs, feet and lower body, can be relieved through intra-oral therapy. The upper body, through the cranium, and the lower body, through the pelvis, are connected via the spine, and both can be accessed through the sphenoid because of its unique position in our anatomy. This connection allows expanding of the neck through intra-oral work, thus relieving the neurological compression. This positively affects the entire nervous system and promotes overall healing.

• Intra-oral work is also known to have dental advantages, such as supporting the alignment of the teeth and correcting the misalignment of the jaw (the mandibular apparatus). The mandible articulates with the temporal bones at the temporo-mandibular joints, located just in front of the ears. We use these joints to eat, drink and yawn. There are a range of clinical symptoms and problems, collectively known as TMJ, that affect these joints, such as jaw pain, clicking of the jaw, restriction of the mouth with movement, headaches and tinnitus, vertigo and dizziness. Over time, intra-oral therapy can restore equilibrium to the vestibular system—the body’s way of regulating balance and sense of place. In addition, it helps to improve mechanical function of the face, and alleviate the pain and dysfunction of TMJ.

• Trigeminal neuralgia, which is characterized by excruciating pain in the face due to compression of the trigeminal nerve, one of the nerves of the face, can be treated through intra-oral work. Intra-oral therapy serves to decompress structures, expand the palate and release important nerve pathways to decrease pain and restore well-being.

• Working intra-orally within the vomer bone, which includes the nose and other bones of the nasal cavity, can open airways that have been restricted due to surgical procedures, such as repairs to the nasal septum, or trauma directly to the nose, improving oxygenation and breathing capacity.

• Head and facial injuries, including deformities, either developed during infancy, childhood or as an adult, can result in specific clinical conditions that may cause head pressure, migraines, loss of focus and brain fog, among other issues. Intra-oral manipulation can help relax and realign cranial bones and decompress tissue, resulting in reduced head pressure, headache/migraine relief, more clear focus and improved cognitive function.

While you may not have known about intra-oral work as a specialized technique within cranio-sacral therapy, it may provide an effective alternative to more traditional therapies and offer enticing benefits to improve your overall well-being. If you think you could benefit from intra-oral work, it may be worthwhile to consider a consultation.

Sylvia Boyed, MA, LMT, CST, an energetic bodyworker, working in the bodywork field for 11 years, treats all of the systems of the body, for all ages, with specializations in joint reconstruction, head injuries, migraine headaches, vertigo, tinnitus, hyperactivity, learning disabilities and anxiety. Connect at 520-370-3689 or SylviaBoyed.com. See ad, page 11.