Our Treatments Your Journey
Cranial Facial Release (CFR)
Restoring Balance from the Top Down
Watch Dr. Dave's clinical explanation of CFR
Cranial Facial Release (CFR) is a non-invasive technique that adjusts the bones of the skull to relieve pressure on the brain, open the nasal and sinus passages, and restore proper alignment throughout the entire spine. By targeting the root cause of many chronic conditions — the cranium itself — CFR can produce results that traditional chiropractic adjustments alone cannot.
A Different Way of Thinking About Your Health
Most people think of chiropractic care as treatment for the back and neck. But what if the source of your pain, headaches, or brain fog isn’t where you feel it — it’s above it?
At Draeger Chiropractic, we believe that up to 80% of the structural problems we treat originate in the cranium, not the spine. Traditional adjusting addresses roughly 20% of the body — and does it very well. CFR addresses the other 80%. The results, as Dr. Dave puts it, are unbelievable.
"I can do a cranial adjustment and their lower back feels better without me even touching it. It seems odd, but it works."
How CFR Works
The procedure centers on one key bone: the sphenoid. The sphenoid sits at the base of the skull and literally holds the entire cranial structure together. When it is misaligned — due to trauma, chronic stress, or developmental factors — it shifts the skull, distorts the sinus cavities, compresses surrounding nerves, and alters pressure on the brain.
CFR corrects this by inserting a small, precise deflated balloon into the nasal passage. When inflated, the balloon gently mobilizes the bones of the skull, releasing tension and restoring natural movement and alignment. The bones of the skull are designed to flex and adapt — CFR works with that design, not against it.
Each treatment is fast, gentle, and carefully tailored to your individual presentation.
What Conditions Can CFR Help?
Because the cranium influences the entire nervous system, CFR can address a wide range of conditions, including:
- Chronic headaches and migraines
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Sinus congestion and chronic sinus infections
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Breathing difficulties
- Sleep disruption and dry mouth upon waking
- TMJ discomfort
- Low back pain that hasn’t responded to spinal adjustments
- Facial asymmetry or pressure
What to Expect
No two visits at Draeger Chiropractic are the same — and that’s intentional. Before each CFR session, Dr. Kate or Dr. Dave will check in with you about how you’ve been feeling and what has changed. The cranium responds and shifts between visits, so each treatment is precisely adapted to where you are that day.
The procedure itself is brief. A small nasal balloon is gently inserted and inflated for just a moment. Most patients feel a mild sensation of pressure followed by immediate relief in the nasal and sinus passages. Many notice postural changes, clearer breathing, or reduced head and neck tension right away.
As with many structural treatments, a series of sessions produces the most significant and lasting results.
Is CFR Safe?
Yes. The cranial bones are naturally designed to move — they do so in response to trauma and daily physical stress. CFR works with this existing mobility to gently restore proper position. There are no incisions, no injections, and no medications involved. It is suitable for a wide range of patients and is performed exclusively by trained practitioners.
Is CFR Right for You?
If you have been struggling with headaches, sinus issues, neck pain, brain fog, or conditions that haven’t responded to conventional treatment, CFR may be the missing piece. Dr. Dave encourages patients to keep an open mind — this is not traditional chiropractic, but the outcomes speak for themselves.
"Once you experience it, the benefits will outweigh anything you're anxious about."
Request a Consultation or call us to find out whether Cranial Facial Release is appropriate for your situation.
"It's not the same. You can see the structural change that occurs by normalizing one bone — the whole skull has changed its shape."
Real Results
Here is an example of what CFR can accomplish. One patient came to Dr. Dave unable to hold a spinal neck adjustment. He experienced recurring vertigo, and conventional treatment had little lasting effect. Imaging revealed a significant misalignment of the sphenoid bone — tilting and twisting the entire skull, distorting the sinus cavity, and pulling on the orbit of one eye.
After a series of CFR treatments, the sphenoid normalized. The sinus cavity reshaped. His skull structure changed — without a single spinal adjustment. He now holds his neck adjustments for up to four months at a time, compared to just days before CFR.