Endonasal Technique: Understanding the History Behind the Nasal Release Technique

If you search for "endonasal technique," "nasal specific technique," or "bilateral nasal specific technique," you'll find a patchwork of information — some from chiropractic sources, some from naturopathic medicine, some from osteopathy — describing variations of a procedure with a surprisingly long clinical history.

That history converges on the same anatomical principle and the same therapeutic goal. And understanding it helps explain why the Nasal Release Technique has emerged as the modern, standardized evolution of this work — and why it belongs in mainstream clinical practice.

The Origins: Dr. Joseph Janse and Nasal Specific

The earliest formal description of endonasal cranial adjustment appears in 1947, when Dr. Joseph Janse, DC, published the first article describing the use of a finger cot attached to a blood pressure bulb inserted into the nasal passage to create cranial adjustment. He called the procedure Nasal Specific.

Janse's insight was anatomically grounded: the nasal cavity is the only accessible route to the cranial base from outside the skull. By introducing a gentle, controlled pressure through the nasal passage, a practitioner could reach the sphenoid and surrounding cranial bones — bones that are otherwise inaccessible to any external manual technique.

Over the following decades, the procedure was refined and taught primarily within chiropractic and naturopathic circles. Dr. J.R. Stober, a chiropractor and naturopath, is credited with popularizing the technique at Western States Chiropractic College in Oregon and training the next generation of practitioners in the western United States.

Variations and Names

As the endonasal approach passed from teacher to student across different professional communities, it accumulated different names. Nasal Specific Technique (NST) was the original Janse-Stober terminology, still used in some chiropractic circles. Bilateral Nasal Specific (BNS) emphasizes the bilateral approach to turbinate treatment. Endonasal Technique is a broader anatomical descriptor used in osteopathic circles. Neurocranial Restructuring (NCR) is a trademarked approach developed by Dean Howell, ND. Nasal Release Technique (NRT) is the current terminology systematized by Cynthia Stein, PT, M.Ed., through Conquer Concussion — representing a refinement for licensed healthcare practitioners with particular application in concussion, TBI, TMJ, and sinus dysfunction.

What All Versions Share

Despite the different names and slight variations in protocol, all versions of the endonasal technique share the use of a small balloon inserted through the nasal passage, brief inflation to create a controlled pressure release, the goal of mobilizing the sphenoid and surrounding cranial base bones, clinical applications in headache, sinus dysfunction, and cranial restriction, and the foundational understanding that the nasal cavity is the mechanical key to cranial mobility.

Why the Name Matters for Your Patients and Practice

For practitioners, understanding this naming history matters for two reasons. First, patients may come to you having heard about "cranial facial release," "nasal specific," or "neurocranial restructuring" from online sources. Being able to explain how NRT relates to these terms builds trust and clinical credibility. Second, when you search for peer-reviewed research on the technique, you may need to search across multiple terms. The medical literature uses "endonasal technique," "nasal specific," and "balloon sinuplasty" in different contexts — but all three describe variations of the same basic mechanistic principle.

The NRT Standard Today

Cynthia Stein's NRT program represents the most current, systematized version of endonasal cranial technique available through a virtual training format designed for licensed healthcare providers. Rather than a weekend seminar or a multi-day in-person intensive, Conquer Concussion's NRT certification delivers rigorous clinical training in four hours — structured for working practitioners who need to expand their toolkit without disrupting their schedule.

Learn NRT from the practitioner who built the modern training standard. Register for the next Conquer Concussion NRT certification at conquerconcussion.com/book-online.