I know the stress and despair that a crying baby can bring, as one of my infants suffered from colic. Infant craniosacral therapy made a huge difference in our child’s early life.  I perform infant craniosacral therapy to help your infant experience relief from symptoms and to help families enjoy their lives together.

I studied infant craniosacral therapy under Carol Gray, a pioneer in infant craniosacral therapy.  Dr. Gray worked under John E. Upledger–an osteopathic physician who improved craniosacral therapy– but she has dedicated the last 20 years to caring exclusively for infants 6 months and younger.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST)

What is it?

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle touch manipulation therapy that was first proposed by osteopath William G. Sutherland in the early 1900s. His fascination with the skull’s anatomy led him to observe that the cranial bones, contrary to the conventional view, retained some movement throughout life. This observation, along with his study of the unique ways these bones articulated, formed the basis of his cranial concept.  In the 1970s, osteopath John Upledger advanced the understanding of Craniosacral therapy, making the technique available–and the necessary training available–to the masses, including D.C.s, RNs, massage therapists, and other body workers.

A newborn CST session can minimize or eliminate the effects of difficult birth stress placed on the cranial and facial structures and help ensure good health for thriving babies. It is recommended that all babies receive newborn Craniosacral evaluations and treatments as soon as possible after birth. Children should continue to receive pediatric CST periodically throughout childhood as they grow and develop since regular sessions can help to maintain proper spinal and cranial joint motion.

A Typical Pediatric CST Session

My approach to infant craniosacral therapy is anatomically based.  I assess the infant through history intake, observation of the baby’s head and face, and gentle physical examination.  CST treatment sets the stage for the body to most efficiently use its power to heal. Most children find the sessions to be deeply relaxing. Babies and children will often sleep for a longer stretch than usual after a session.

Children are fully clothed and can rest on a massage table, in their parents’ lap or on my lap, and sometimes they sit, crawl, walk, stand, or play with toys on the floor during the treatment.

I adapt my techniques to the attention span and needs of the child by monitoring the craniosacral rhythm with my hands. I conduct other gentle assessments and corrects the sources of pain and dysfunction using gentle manipulative techniques.

Sometimes children release emotions or cry during treatments, but the techniques do not hurt babies and children. Seldom does the pressure exceed five grams (the weight of a nickel). The work is very gentle but still provides the child (and the parents) with relief.

Craniosacral therapy can help:

• Fussy, hard-to-soothe babies
• Babies who have digestive or elimination difficulties
• Reflux
• Babies who hate tummy time
• Teething babies
• Non-sleeping babies
• Children who have mobility issues
• Babies who have sensory issues
• Babies who have Colic
• Excessive spitting up
• Breastfeeding problems
• Difficult latching
• Latch problems that contribute to sore nipples for moms
• Babies who favor turning their heads to one side
• Babies who favor one breast or position for nursing
• Babies who seem overly sensitive
• Vision issues

Birth

During the birth process, the baby’s head molds to fit through the mother’s pelvis. It is normal for the cranial bones to override each other. After birth, these overrides and other accommodations in the baby’s skull should not persist. If they do not correct themselves, they can interfere with proper cranial nerve function, leading to colic, breathing, swallowing, digestive or sensory-motor impairments, and other concerns. Sometimes babies are injured in the birth process. These injuries may be both physical and emotional. CST can address these injuries as well as the effects of lack of normal mobility in utero, precipitous or prolonged labor, vacuum extraction, forceps, or cesarean birth.

Surgical Birth

Cesarean birth can be harder on babies than we imagine. Cesarean-born babies have lower Apgar scores, more respiratory distress, more abnormal neurological exams, and more abnormal craniosacral evaluations. They have more chronic middle ear infections and other problems throughout childhood. The birth process is more abrupt and potentially more frightening than vaginal birth.

Craniosacral therapy for babies and children provides a host of benefits for both the child and the parents. Make an appointment today to discuss how I can help your baby or child feel better.