What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy is a powerful yet gentle form of bodywork that focuses on restoring balance and optimal movement within the CranioSacral system and the fascial system of the body.
How is CranioSacral Therapy helpful for the newborn?
During the birth process, the baby’s head molds to fit through the mother’s pelvis. During labor it is normal and necessary 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 potentially leading to colic, breathing, swallowing, digestive or sensory-motor impairments and more. Sometimes babies experience a stressful birth experience. The stresses may be both physical and emotional. CST can address these tensions as well as the effects of precipitous or prolonged labor, vacuum extraction, forceps delivery, and cesarean birth.
What are the benefits of treating children?
Children’s bodies are resilient. They can correct easily and quickly because they have spent less time organizing themselves around their physical and emotional restrictions. Left untreated, these restrictions can take more time and effort to correct in adulthood, causing pain and dysfunction in the meantime.
CranioSacral Therapy may be helpful in the following childhood conditions: Chronic Middle Ear Infections, Infant Colic, Headaches, Learning Disabilities, Sensory Integration Problems, Breastfeeding Difficulties, Autism, Developmental Delays, Chronic Pain, Difficult Mobility, ADD/ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Genetic Disorders, Neurological Conditions, Reflux, and more.
What should my child expect in a treatment?
Children rest fully clothed on a massage table or while in the parent’s lap. The therapist assesses the subtle patterns of tension within the child’s body and assists the body towards release with gentle manual techniques. Sometimes children release emotions or cry during treatments, but the techniques do not hurt babies or children. Seldom does the pressure exceed five grams (the weight of a nickel).
Most children find the sessions to be relaxing. Babies and children will often sleep for a longer stretch than usual after a session. Craniosacral therapy sessions for children generally last from 15 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on the child’s individual tolerance and need. It is good to note that that cranial work isn’t done when the session is over and to expect that the body will continue releasing restrictions over the next few days.
Who performs craniosacral therapy?
CranioSacral Therapists are usually healthcare professionals including MD, ND, PT, LMT, LM, LNP and RN who receive additional training in the practice of CranioSacral Therapy. It is important to ask your provider about his or her pediatric CranioSacral training. The techniques used for children vary subtly from those used on adults because the cranial bones are still developing.
We offer this profound work at our office and would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today!
Dr. Allison Nabours, Colorado Springs Naturopath and Midwife