Chiropractic Craniopathy

Gentle, precise chiropractic care focused on how the cranium, jaw, spine, and nervous system work together. At Holistic Health Virginia, craniopathy supports comfort, coordination, and efficient function for adults, teens, and children.

No other chiropractor in Northern Virginia offers comprehensive craniopathy services for infants, children, and adults. Dr. Stéphane is a Fellow in Craniopathy, the highest level of study and proficiency in Virginia.

Craniopathy is a specialized form of chiropractic care that focuses on the movement and alignment of the skull bones and their impact on the brain and nervous system. It can be especially helpful for chronic headaches, TMJ, post-concussion symptoms, tongue tie and breastfeeding issues, and developmental concerns in children.

If you are looking for infant and pediatric information, please see Pediatric Services and Craniopathy for babies and infants. In Infants & Babies, birth trauma, latching issues, etc., are often overlooked by typical chiropractors since the skull plays a considerable role.

Book An Appointment

Request a consultation

What is craniopathy

Craniopathy is a chiropractic specialty that evaluates the relationships among the skull, the jaw, the spine, and the nervous system. Subtle restrictions in cranial motion and jaw mechanics can influence posture, breathing patterns, vascular and lymphatic and cerebrospinal fluid flow, as well as the neck and shoulder tension, TMJ comfort, and how the nervous system regulates daily function. Using very specific assessments and light contacts, we aim to restore better motion and ease, then retest so changes are clear and measurable.

How craniopathy works

Evaluation

History, symptom mapping, dental and bite history, headaches and TMJ review, sleep and breathing notes, posture and movement checks. Gentle testing of cranial motion, jaw tracking, neck and upper back motion, tongue mobility, and possible tie and SOT indicators when appropriate.

Care

Light fingertip contacts to cranial bones and membranes, gentle support for jaw and TMJ, specific holds for the upper neck and thoracic spine, SOT pelvic checks when indicated. No twisting, no forceful movements, a precision instrument may be used when appropriate.

Re-testing and home strategies

We recheck what changed, then teach simple home supports, jaw relaxation drills, tongue position reminders, nasal breathing habits, work setup tips, and sleep position ideas.

Who can benefit

Adults and teens

TMJ tension, jaw clicking or tightness, facial muscle fatigue
Headaches, neck and shoulder strain, desk and device posture
Bite changes in coordination with your dentist or orthodontist
Concussion history support within a collaborative care plan
Mouth breathing habits, perceived facial tightness, and non-medical airway coaching for posture and habits

Pregnancy

Gentle cranial and jaw support to ease head, neck, and rib tension
Breathing mechanics and posture comfort, Webster-based pelvic balance coordinated with SOT when appropriate

Athletes and performers

Jaw and neck coordination for lifts, running, cycling, and instrument use
Recovery support after strain, travel, or competition

Infants and children

For feeding, latch, head preference, and sleep rhythm concerns, please see Pediatric Services for a full explanation of infant and pediatric care.

Dental Visit Support

Pre- and post-dental care support to ease jaw tension, facial discomfort, or residual strain from procedures
Gentle cranial and TMJ work to help rebalance after orthodontic adjustments, extractions, or prolonged mouth opening
Coordination with your dental care provider to support a more comfortable and integrative healing process

Craniopathy supports structure and function, results vary by individual, we coordinate with your other providers when needed.

Craniopathy and SOT, how they work together

Sacro Occipital Technic (SOT) and craniopathy share the same whole system approach. SOT emphasizes pelvic blocking, spinal indicators, and category-based analysis; craniopathy adds focused cranial and jaw procedures. Together, they allow a gentle, integrated plan that addresses the pelvis, spine, cranium, and jaw as one system and restores proper lymphatic, vascular, and cerebrospinal fluid flow.

Craniopathy vs craniosacral therapy

Craniopathy

A chiropractic specialty grounded in SOT analysis. It uses structured indicators, neurologic checks, TMJ assessment, cranial adjusting protocols, and consistent retesting. Provided by a chiropractor within chiropractic scope.

Craniosacral therapy

A gentle manual therapy used by various practitioners. It emphasizes relaxation and perceived fluid motion. Training and scope vary by provider; it is not a chiropractic specialty.

Both use light touch. We choose craniopathy to link findings directly to spinal and jaw mechanics, to measure changes, and to integrate care with SOT.

Safety and coordination

Methods are gentle and adapted to age and size. Risks and benefits are reviewed before care, and consent is obtained at each step. We work with your dentist, orthodontist, oral surgeon, primary care, or therapist when appropriate, and we refer promptly for red flags.

What to expect at your visit

Listen and map your history, symptoms, goals
Test cranial motion, jaw tracking, neck and spine comfort, posture, and SOT indicators
Care with light contacts and supportive holds, precision instrument as needed.
Re-test to confirm changes, outline a clear plan, and share simple home strategies

Why choose Dr. Stéphane

SOT and Chiropractic Craniopathy focused care, gentle methods, measurable change, research leadership, and instruction within SORSI (www.sorsi.com). He is also the only SORSI certified practitioner in NoVa. Clear plans, coordinated care, and visit schedules tailored to your goals.

Retained primitive reflexes, a craniopathy informed approach

Primitive reflexes are early movement patterns that help babies survive and develop. As the nervous system matures, most reflexes integrate naturally. When a reflex remains active beyond its expected window, it can show up as startle sensitivity, difficulty sitting still, challenges with tracking or reading, messy handwriting, or postural and coordination issues.

How I evaluate

History and school notes, visual tracking and vestibular checks, posture and gait observation, cranial and jaw motion, SOT pediatric indicators when appropriate. I screen common reflexes such as Moro, ATNR, STNR, TLR, Spinal Galant, Palmar, Rooting, and Suck and Swallow.

How care works

Craniopathy uses light fingertip contacts to ease cranial and jaw strain, supports efficient neck and upper back motion, and pairs with SOT pelvic checks. The goal is to reduce mechanical and neurosensory triggers that can keep a reflex active, then re test to confirm change. Families receive simple home strategies to reinforce new patterns.

What parents often notice

Calmer startle response, steadier posture, easier eye tracking, improved handwriting mechanics, more organized movement.

About timelines

Some children show meaningful functional change in a short series of visits, for example one to three, especially when the findings are focal and home strategies are followed consistently. Others benefit from a longer plan with periodic progress checks and collaboration with OT, PT, SLP, vision therapy, or your pediatric team. We set goals together, measure change, and adjust the plan to your child.

Chiropractic supports structure and function, results vary by individual, this is not a treatment for developmental disorders, we coordinate with your other providers when appropriate.

Frequently asked questions

What is chiropractic craniopathy?
Craniopathy is a chiropractic specialty that evaluates how the cranium, jaw, spine, and nervous system work together. Light, specific contacts aim to restore comfortable motion and efficient function, then we retest so changes are clear.

Is craniopathy painful?
No. Contacts are light and precise. Most people feel relaxed during care. Temporary soreness is uncommon and usually mild.

How is craniopathy different from craniosacral therapy?
Craniopathy is performed by a doctor of chiropractic with specialty training (after a doctorate in Chiropractic, they must undergo a 500+hr training and rigorous testing for competency). It uses structured indicators, TMJ and neurologic checks, and consistent retesting, often integrated with SOT. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle manual therapy used by various practitioners, with about an 8-hour training.

Who is a good candidate?
Adults and teens with TMJ tension, headaches, neck and shoulder strain, posture stress, bite changes in coordination with dental teams, and concussion history within collaborative care. For infants and children, please see Pediatric Services for details specific to feeding, head preference, and sleep rhythms. Chiropractic craniopathy is performed during the chiropractic adjustment, and it is part of the whole-body approach. It can be used separately, but is most effective with the whole-body adjustment.

Can craniopathy help TMJ and headaches?
Many people with jaw tension and certain headaches report improvement with gentle cranial and jaw support, posture changes, and home strategies. We coordinate with your dentist, orthodontist, or oral surgeon when appropriate.

Do you work with dentists, orthodontists, and tongue or lip tie teams?
Yes. With your permission, we share findings and coordinate care, including pre- and post-frenectomy comfort strategies. If your jaw is open for more than 20 minutes at the dentist, I strongly suggest a cranial assessment afterward.

Do I need imaging before starting?
Only when clinically indicated. We review prior imaging and reports, and discuss risks and benefits if new imaging is considered.

How many visits will I need?
It depends on your findings and goals. Many people notice change within a few visits, then visits are spaced as your body holds corrections longer.

Can craniopathy help with retained primitive reflexes?
Yes. We screen relevant reflexes, ease cranial and structural strain that may keep a reflex active, and teach home strategies. Some children show meaningful functional change in a short series of visits, for example, one to three, while others benefit from a longer plan and collaboration with OT, PT, SLP, or vision therapy. We measure and retest together.

What should I expect after a session?

Commonly, easier jaw and neck motion, lighter facial tension, steadier posture, calmer breathing. You may receive simple home drills for jaw relaxation, tongue position, nasal breathing, and work or sleep setup.

Will there be cracking?
No, Craniopathy uses light contacts. If a spinal adjustment is indicated, we use the least force necessary and retest to confirm the change.

Is craniopathy safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Methods are gentle and adapted to each stage. We often pair craniopathy with SOT and Webster-based pelvic balancing for comfort.

Do you see infants and children?
Yes, with age-appropriate methods. For specifics on latch, head preference, and sleep, please see Pediatric Services and SOT method chiropractic for babies and infants.

What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing that allows access to the neck and shoulders. Remove bulky belts and jewelry, bring a hair tie for long hair, and please avoid strong fragrances.

Is blood work required?

No. We begin with history and exam, then decide together if testing will help clarify your case. When indicated, options can include blood, saliva, urine, stool, hair, and for some markers a finger prick sample.

Do you accept insurance, HSA, and FSA?

Coverage for chiropractic varies by plan. We verify benefits for you, provide receipts and superbills for out-of-network reimbursement when applicable, and HSA or FSA funds are often eligible; please confirm with your plan administrator.

How long is the first visit, and what should I bring?
Plan on 45 to 60 minutes for history, exam, and initial care. Bring a list of medications and supplements, pertinent dental and medical reports, prior imaging if available, and comfortable clothing.

Do I need a referral?
No. In Virginia, most people can see a chiropractor without a referral. Some insurance plans may still require one; we will check your benefits for you.