Understanding Cranial Bone Movement

7 Weeks | 7 Modules
Instructor(s): Dr. Ken Cooper
Full Registration: December 1st, 2026
Enrollment Deadline: January 4th, 2027
First Class: January 11th, 2027

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

  1. Module 01 Cranial Anatomy
  2. Module 02 Cranial Motion Fundamentals
  3. Module 03 The Occiput and Sphenoid
  4. Module 04 The Temporals
  5. Module 05 The Frontal and Parietals
  6. Module 06 The Palate
  7. Module 07 Clinical Integration

Meet the Instructors

Dr. Ken Cooper, DC, CSSPP, CSCPP, CACCP

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

  • Johanna Ekblom Kanckos

    I have learned more specifically how each of the cranial bones move and how they affect the CSF flow .

    And I have more deepened understanding of how the cranial bones move. I was more certain in how they move and could better understand the adjustments on the child and could better explain to the parents.

    Yes, I would recommend this course to get a more deepened knowledge.

  • 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.

  • Zoe Wight, DC

    My three takeaways:
    1. Cranial motion is the key to unlocking the flow of the CSF, which brings proper nourishment to our brain and spine.
    2. Understanding the physiology of the cranial bones brings a deeper meaning to the understanding that the body is an interconnected system.
    3. As you breathe and move, the bones of the skull should breathe and move as well. Knowing these motions can help you help infants, children, and adults along their path of wellness.

    After the course, Dr. Ken Cooper helped me find a practitioner in my area to work on my 4-month-old. In one visit, his flat spot was visibly rounder. Professionally, I can now educate people of the tension held in the cranial sutures that may need to be released to relieve the stress their spines are experiencing.

    The most impactful is the experience I’ve seen by taking my 4-month-old to certified practitioner. However, in my own practice, I’ve seen numbness and tingling in the whole hand disappear with occipital flexion/extension, and I’ve witnessed emotional reactions to sphenobasilar and frontal suture releases.

    Yes, I would recommend this course. It is a great starting point to understanding how the skull is the encasing of the brain- the portion of the CNS that chiropractors are commonly referring to, but never truly accessing.

    Dr. Ken Cooper is a fantastic teacher, passionate about the topic, and compassionate with his students.

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