Understanding Cranial Bone Movement
Understanding Cranial Bone Movement
For chiropractors and healthcare professionals seeking clarity in the understanding of cranial bone motion and dynamics.
Unlock the mechanics behind chiropractic cranial adjusting with this online course, “How Cranial Bones Move”. You’ll learn the 4 specific motion patterns of the cranium and how they impact each cranial bone, tools to assess the proper movement of the cranium, and what these subtle shifts can have on the growth and development of the cranium.
We’ll explore how respiratory motion, dural tension, cerebrospinal mechanics and structural relationships (sutures and fontanelles) guide cranial motion, especially in infants where early patterns set the stage for development. This course is ideal for those new to cranial work or preparing for advanced certification, giving you the hands-on insight needed to refine your palpation and deliver precise, effective care.
Dr. Ken Cooper will guide you through the interplay of respiratory motion, dural tension, cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, and the role of sutures and fontanelles — especially crucial in pediatric patients, where early distortions can alter the course of development.
Whether you’re new to cranial work or preparing for advanced certification, this course builds the palpation skills and clinical insight needed to deliver precise, effective care.
Course Contents
7 Modules | 7 CTAs
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Module 01 Cranial Anatomy
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Module 02 Cranial Motion Fundamentals
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Module 03 The Occiput and Sphenoid
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Module 04 The Temporals
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Module 05 The Frontal and Parietals
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Module 06 The Palate
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Module 07 Clinical Integration
Meet the Instructors
Dr. Ken Cooper brings over two decades of clinical experience, leadership, and dedication to advancing Pediatric and Perinatal Chiropractic care. A devoted husband, proud father of five, and grandfather of four, Dr. Cooper’s personal and professional life reflects his passion for family-centered wellness.
His journey in healthcare began with honorable service as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman and nationally registered EMT in the early 1990s, laying a strong foundation for his commitment to care. He became a licensed Chiropractor in 2001, and by 2003 had completed a Pediatric Chiropractic Fellowship with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA)—an early indicator of his calling to serve the youngest members of our communities.
Dr. Cooper is Webster Certified and was directly taught the Webster Technique by its founder, the legendary Dr. Larry Webster. He went on to achieve his CACCP certification through the ICPA in 2019 and completed his Perinatal Certification in 2023.
A pioneer in his field, Dr. Cooper was one of the first three chiropractors to earn the Certified SOT Spinal Pediatric Practitioner (CSSPP) designation from Drs. Martin Rosen and Nancy Watson of the Peak Potential Institute in 2022, followed by becoming one of the first two recipients of the Certified Specialist in Pediatric Cranial Adjusting (CSCPP) in 2024.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Cooper is a 7th-degree black belt, accomplished author, active researcher, and sought-after speaker. His role as an international instructor in Pediatric Chiropractic allows him to educate and inspire doctors around the world with his practical knowledge, clinical insights, and heartfelt commitment to excellence in Pediatric Chiropractic care.
Whether in the classroom or the clinic, Dr. Ken Cooper continues to elevate the standards of care and education in Chiropractic, with a heart for children and a legacy of service.
Feedback From Our Students
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Monika Armstrong
My three takeaways:
A much deeper understanding of cranial motion and its biomechanical relevance to overall neurological and functional health. A new perspective on assessing and supporting patients, particularly in complex or paediatric cases, where subtle dysfunctions can have significant impacts.Professionally, this program has significantly refined my clinical approach. It has given me greater confidence in assessing cranial patterns and integrating them into broader neurodevelopmental and functional care plans. This has been particularly valuable in my work with children, where small changes can make a meaningful difference. Personally, it has deepened my appreciation for the body’s innate intelligence and adaptability. It has reinforced a more patient, observant, and holistic approach, not only in practice but also in how I view health and well-being more broadly.
I worked with a patient who had ongoing jaw restriction and sinus pain that hadn’t fully resolved with other approaches. On assessment, it became clear that there were underlying cranial restrictions affecting both the TMJ and sinus drainage. Using the techniques from this course, I incorporated gentle cranial work over a few sessions. The patient began to notice their jaw moving more freely, with less discomfort, and at the same time experienced a significant reduction in sinus pressure. What stood out was how interconnected these systems are—and how addressing the cranial mechanics created meaningful changes in both symptoms and overall comfort.
Yes, I would highly recommend this course. It provides a strong biomechanical and neurological framework for understanding cranial motion, supported by clear clinical reasoning and practical application.
The program is exceptionally well-structured. I am glad I was able to take part. Thank you.
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Dr. Margie Mannering
I have a better understanding of the system as a whole. It is important to develop observation skills, to be aware of what is wrong, but it is equally if not more important to understand why it is wrong. Dentistry can make observations about airway and anatomy but treating these alone is not predictable therapy.
Although I just retired from clinical dentistry, I hope to continue working with airway, myofunctional therapist and other therapies that work with craniosacral therapy.
Yes, I would recommend it to dentists and orthodontists that work with airway and expansion. I would also recommend it to myofunctional therapists. Dentists and therapists often focus just on their own area of expertise. That is a very limited scope and doesn’t allow for a complete diagnosis
Very complete course.
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Dr. Andrew Alft
It is critical as a foundation for all the cranial work, diagnosis and corrections to fully understand the motion patterns of each joint. Ken Cooper has an excellent communication style to share this information in a way that is easy to understand.
It has helped to continue developing my understanding of how to best care for the patients in my practice.
Yes, I would recommend classes taught by Dr. Cooper.
Thank you for all you do for our profession.
More Courses from Peak Potential Institute
Unlock your potential to work with patients suffering from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. This course is designed to equip you with the clinical anatomy, physiology, and functional knowledge necessary to address and correct TMJ dysfunction using chiropractic cranial adjustingSM techniques.
This advanced training presents Dr. Major Bertrand DeJarnette’s 1977 Sutural Technique, a precise, step-by-step cranial protocol developed to guide chiropractors through comprehensive cranial balancing within proper SOT® categorization.
Designed specifically for chiropractors, this course integrates sutural assessment, TMJ evaluation, dural balancing, and CSF normalization into a cohesive clinical system. These techniques are particularly indicated when:
- Category II patterns are not resolving as anticipated
- TMJ dysfunction (TMD) is present
- Swallowing, craniofacial, or temporal stress patterns persist
- Cranial and cervical compensations remain after standard care
- Somaticized recurrent or embodied patterns (PTSD, emotional or physical trauma)
Ready to elevate your practice and transform patient outcomes? Our 38-class ONLINE Cranial Immersion Class offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn chiropractic cranial adjusting SM protocols from A to Z. Designed for practitioners eager to master the art and science of cranial work, this immersive course will guide you through every aspect—from foundational anatomy to advanced correction techniques.
