Craniosacral therapy is a gentle hands-on manual therapy technique used to assess and treat bones of the skull, spine, and pelvis, connective tissue (aka fascia) and fluids of the central nervous system. This treatment modality is an excellent way to support and improve general health, to support interconnectivity throughout the body, and may be used to treat a variety of specific conditions. The health and proper movement of the craniosacral system plays a vital role in the physiological function of our entire body.

 

 

Carlie uses craniosacral therapy to care for newborns, infants, and for birthing parents during pregnancy and the postpartum period. She has training additional in breastfeeding/chestfeeding support, infant development, and perinatal care and integrates this into her cranial sacral work.

Craniosacral therapy can be a valuable treatment option for babies with feeding challenges, birth injuries, torticollis (head turning preference or “kinked” neck),  plagiocephaly (flat spots), after tongue tie revisions, colic, digestive concerns, nervous system support and more.

What to Expect at an Infant Appointment

The first appointment includes a health history and birth-story intake, gentle assessment and treatment. Manual therapy is often done inside the baby’s mouth as work on connective tissues there (fascia, the tongue, and palate) can help with feeding, latch, sucking and integrating other full body treatments.

Infants may be resting on a pillow, held by the parent or practitioner or feeding. 

A parent may notice an immediate difference or change can take place over the days or weeks after. For example, you might notice the baby’s ability to turn their head both ways with more ease, the baby may be less fussy at the breast, improvements in latch or an easier time passing gas. Changes vary widely.

Sometimes babies release emotions or cry during treatments. This is normal and can actually be very therapeutic.

Craniosacral techniques are very gentle and do not hurt. The comfort of the baby and the caregiver(s) is very important.

Craniosacral Therapy can be done while babies are feeding, sleeping, playing, or even during a diaper change.

Tell me more..

Although touch used during this treatment can look feel subtle, the effect on the nervous system and physiological function of the body can be profound.

There are discernible forces in the body: breath and the heartbeat – more obvious rhythms of our bodies. Another rhythmic force is the cranial wave or craniosacral rhythm. This rhythm can speed up, slow down, or change in response to physical or emotional stress on the body.

The rhythm is created by the bioelectric field of energy of the human body. Forces stimulate movement of nourishing fluids that surrounds the structures of the central nervous system and fascia of the body, influences the subtle movements of bones, and trigger contraction of the involuntary muscles of our internal organs and blood vessels. Some call the cranial wave the rhythm of chi, prana, or the rhythm of the spirit.

Craniosacral therapy is by nature relational work, which is what can make it so powerful. Although one often feels very relaxed and passive when receiving this type of treatment, our nervous system is given space to allow for processing and integration of important somatic information; a silent yet active healing process. As the therapist shines a “flashlight” on restrictions or patterns in the body, the therapist and individual work together to release restrictions, improve function, and find more balance in the body, mind and spirit.

Through interconnection the physical body can hold and express much of our psychological and emotional life, often a lot more than what our conscious minds are aware of. This includes infants, children and adults alike.

I believe that a great deal of healing takes place as we learn to notice, allow and give space to the subtle (or not so subtle at times) cues of our bodies.

Given the chance, there is potential for our body’s messages to show up with this type of work, messages we may not see in our everyday busy lives. With the right kind of attention, intention, and therapeutic action, craniosacral therapy can be a deeply healing experience for individuals throughout the lifespan.

Information adapted from my clinical practice, personal experience, from my wonderful teacher, Julie Gerhardt and and Hugh Milne’s “The Heart of Listening”.

 

Specific conditions Craniosacral therapy can treat

• Birth Injuries (parents and infants)
• Childhood disorders
• Trauma
• Breastfeeding/bottle feeding/chest feeding challenges early in life and beyond
• Infant Colic and other digestive concerns
• Plagiocephaly and torticollis
• Concussion and Traumatic brain injury
• Headaches and Migraines
• Chronic Pain
• Anxiety and Depression
• Stress
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• TMJ (jaw) Dysfunction
• Pelvic misalignment and pain
• Sinus issues, congestion, chronic inflammation
• Pregnancy & postpartum care
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Spinal cord injuries
• Nervous System disorders
• Other traumatic injuries
• and many more!