The most important page on this site, by Dr. Brant Larsen.
Explore Philosophy
After more than 22 years of practice, I’ve developed strong opinions about cranial adjusting. I’ve also developed strong opinions about what I shouldn’t claim. I think both halves matter equally.
What I believe
- I believe the cranial system matters and deserves more attention than it often gets.
- I believe the skull is a dynamic, living structure — not a single, fused, motionless bone.
- I believe assessment should come before any adjustment, every time.
- I believe sensory input can influence motor function, and that muscle testing can provide useful clinical information as part of a broader exam.
- I believe reassessment matters as much as the adjustment itself — I want to know what changed, not assume it did.
- I believe every patient is different, and two people with the same complaint can have entirely different findings.
- I believe 22-plus years of clinical experience has taught me things a textbook alone couldn’t.
What I don’t claim
- I don’t claim that cranial adjusting cures disease.
- I don’t claim that every symptom originates in the cranium.
- I don’t claim that every person needs cranial adjusting.
- I don’t claim that a patient’s individual response proves a particular scientific mechanism.
- I don’t promise a specific outcome for anyone.
- I don’t believe cranial adjusting should replace appropriate medical care when someone needs it.
We don’t treat conditions. We treat people who have conditions.
My job is to evaluate the person in front of me, determine what I find, decide whether an adjustment is appropriate, and see how they respond. That’s the whole philosophy, really — everything else on this site is an elaboration of it.
Related reading
Read common misconceptions about cranial adjusting, or see why I practice cranial adjusting.