The Cranial Adjustor and Cervical Wedge is a wooden device designed for the manipulation and adjustment of the bones of the cranium, face and cervical spine and for pressure treatment of the muscles overlying these areas. The Cranial Adjustor and Cervical Wedge is small enough and light weight enough for easy storage and for carrying in luggage when traveling. Tension and strain in the skull, the dura (the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord) and the muscles in the neck and at the base of the skull have a large role to play in all the various kinds of head discomfort and headaches that plague so many people. By using this tool we can locate where specific tensions and strains exist and treat them at the same time.
Here the Cranial Adjustor and Cervical Wedge is used to apply pressure in the region at the base of the skull. A particular group of muscles located here (the rectus capitus posterior minor) have been shown to have a direct link to the dura (the membrane that covers the brain). It is in this membrane that pain receptors and blood vessels signal the onset of migraine headaches. By loosening the muscles at the base of the skull we help relieve much of the strain in the dura and make the onset of all the various headaches that people are prone to much less likely. The weight of the head itself is all the force needed behind most of the work done with this tool. By applying a gentle pressure in this region we can begin to treat many of our headaches and sinus discomforts in a way that does not rely solely on the use of drugs and painkillers.
Three cranial bones come together at the back of the head. These are the two parietal bones on either side of the top of the head and the occipital bone at the back and base of the skull. This juncture of cranial bones is called by the Greek letter lambda and by simply resting the back of the head on the flat surface of this tool we may find this crucial meeting point for these bones and effect a lambda adjustment. If there is tenderness or soreness anywhere on the head it often indicates that there is some impacted and distorted structure and by just pressing on the area of pain and sensitivity we can begin to open and relieve the strain. A minute or two on any spot is usually enough. We may be waking up these cranial joints (sutures) and discovering how disturbed and distorted they really are. Be patient and do not expect to relieve every strain with one or two treatments.
Here is a way to do a headstand that is not precarious and dangerous and is probably a more therapeutic and specific treatment than the traditional headstand we find in yoga or gymnastics. The top of the head is placed against the tool and gently pressed and rolled. The sagittal suture runs right along the top of the head from front to back and separates the two parietal bones of the skull. Press and roll the top of the head and seek out any spots that feel sore, stiff and tight. No need to apply much extra strength. Just the weight of your head and body is force enough for this manipulation. Not only will some of these pressure points be related to headaches but they are also points to press to relieve facial and sinus pains as well. Towards the front part of the top of the head is another important juncture of three cranial bones and it is called the bregma. It is where the two parietal bones and the frontal cranial bone come together and it may need to be pried opened and freed from strain and distortion. This would be the bregma adjustment and like the lambda adjustment it is often a crucial cranial area to work and adjust. Give a minute or two of pressure treatment to each sore and tender point discovered in each treatment session and not much more. Be gentle and patient and realize that the soreness and strain we find has been there a long time and probably will take some time to relieve.
From left to right: 1. The forehead is pressed and rolled. 2. The wedge is being pressed under the brow ridge. 3. The tool is used to press underneath the cheekbone and into the jaw joint. These facial areas can harbor a great deal of pain and soreness and may need treatment as much or more as the cranial joints and base of the skull. Any substantial pain and discomfort found is an indication that the area is under some strain, tension or distortion.
It can come as quite a surprise how much our heads are twisted, warped, stressed and strained. A tense and strained condition of our head is probably the precursor to all the ailments, aches and discomforts that afflict us here. By gently and intelligently applying pressure to the muscles, joints and structures of the head and face we can begin to unravel the mystery of why we hurt in this region and we may just begin to discover how to treat the real source and cause of our discomforts there.