Endonasal Balloon Therapy – Functional Cranial Release – Toronto, ON

What is Endonasal Balloon Therapy?

EBT is a relatively novel procedure designed to balance and restore cranial mobility and dural meningeal rhythm to improve neurological and physiological function. Loss of cranial mobility is often the cause of concussions or head trauma in sports related injuries or motor vehicle accidents. Stress to the dural meningeal system can oftentimes occur in early childhood or even during the birthing process if forceps and vacuum suction were used. Certain genetic phenotypes (shape of the skull) may also contribute to poor cranial and endonasal alignment predisposing one to a host of ENT conditions in childhood and adulthood. 

EBT is a very specific Chiropractic procedure that requires extensive training, background knowledge in functional neurology and clinical experience to perform.  EBT is a delicate procedure designed to manipulate the cranial bones and soft tissue endonasal lining from the inside out.  This is essential because all head trauma and concussion type injuries forcibly impact the head and push the cranial bones inward causing the sutures (joints) of the cranial bones to jam and lock up. EBT is the only procedure that works from the inside to push the cranial bones outward and back to their orginal alignment. If not corrected, these impact injuries inevitably lead to torsion of the skull and facial plates causing both physiological and neurological compromise.  

Physiological effects may include: difficulty breathing, chronic sinusitis, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), TMJ or jaw pain, eustachian tube blockage, vertigo and/or loss of balance, vision sensitivity, persistent migraine type headaches and sleep disturbances.

Neurological effects may include: brain fog, memory loss, vestibular dysfunction, poor coordination (hand-eye), facial pain, jaw pain, lack of focus and clarity when performing activities. In severe cases when left untreated, it impacts mental health contributing to early onset neurological degeneration, depression and suicidal thoughts.

More and more research is being done in this field as the benefits of EBT are becoming evident across various disciplines. Functional neurology at the world renowned Carrick Institute is studying and teaching the benefits of advanced Chiropractic techniques like Cranial adjusting for the management of Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS), Craniocervical Instability (CCI) and Vestibular Dysfunction (1) to name a few. Other studies have shown a significant reduction in symptoms of Migraine Headache and improvement in quality of work following EBT procedures (2). A new branch of Dentistry called Functional Dentistry is beginning to understand the Stomatognathic (facial, jaw and endonasal integrity) from a  holistic perspective and collaborating with Chiropractors to provide a more comprehensive option for patients suffering from TMJ dysfunction, nasal obstruction and headaches (3). Others have shown significant  improvements in balance and vestibular function following EBT therapy (4). This all builds on the foundational work that was done by many researchers, most notably, Dr. John Upledger, a clinical researcher and professor in the 1970’s who demonstrated how stress on the dural meningeal system of the cranium and spine impacted both neurological and physiological function (5). And so the research continues today with each case study to help us better understand the importance of this delicate cranial – dural meningeal – stomatognathic system and its significance to overall health and wellbeing.     

What is involved in the procedure?

During your initial consultation, specific questions will be asked pertaining to your medical history, and current symptomology along with relevant imaging or scans you’ve done recently.  The doctor will examine you through a set of palpatory tests to detect if any restrictions are present in the cranial and/or facial plates.  Often times with head trauma, one side of the head and face will exhibit restriction in joint mobility compared to the other side along with visible torsion of the skull in severe and chronic cases. Based on your history and exam findings, the doctor will determine If you are deemed a candidate for the EBT procedure.

The procedure involves four(4) consecutive days of therapy, each about 30 min in length.  It involves the insertion of a small latex balloon through the nostril and positioned adjacent to one of the turbinates. The patient is asked to continue normal breathing through the mouth as the balloon is slowly inflated. The reason for the consecutive days is due to the delicate nature of the procedure; each session slowly expands and pushes outward on the cranial plates and stretching open the soft tissue lining of the airway. The delicate nature of the area demands a slow and steady pace otherwise it would be too painful and cause inadvertent injury.  By the 3rd session, the nasal cavity is much more maleable and expansive to allow the cranial sutures to begin to move and mobilize with minimal pressure. As adhesions within the sutures are released, cranial-sacral rhythm is gradually restored leading to a return to optimal flow of cerebral spinal fluid to nourish the brain and spinal cord.  When structure is restored, function is restored.