Dr. La Barbera attended two separate advanced programs in Cranial Methods as part of his post graduate studies. This method of correcting the alignment and movement / function of the cranial (skull) bones helps attain a higher level of nervous system function. It also helps to normalize the circulation of the spinal fluid around the brain and spinal cord. 80% of your nervous system (the brain) is in the skull or cranium. Proper alignment and function of the cranial bones and dura or meninges (the covering of the brain and spinal cord) is vital for good health since it affects the flow of the cerebral spinal fluid around the brain and spinal cord. This fluid flow is vital to bring in nutrients and remove toxins. This method of care is extremely helpful with lesions of the brain and central nervous system. Developmental delays, seizures, strokes, TMJ issues, pediatric skull malformations (plagiocephaly), facial neuralgias and other related conditions have responded well to this type of specialized care. He uses both SOT (Sacro-Occipital Technique) Cranial methods and CATS (Cranial Adjusting Turner Style) techniques.
This method is extremely helpful for a condition called Plagiocephaly - or mis-shaped skull. Many infants are born with their heads unsymmetrical due to being poorly positioned in the womb or not having enough room. This could be the case not only with large babies, but with twins, etc. A traumatic birthing process such as the use of forceps or suction can also cause cranial distortion. The sooner this issue is addressed, the better the outcome. This is not to say that we cannot influence the proper alignment of older children or adults as well. The purpose is not to improve their appearance, but to improve the neurological function that is affected by the cranial misalignments.
