The transition from the womb into the world is not easy! Newborns can experience a variety of problems, including tongue tie, poor sucking latch, colic and gas, constipation or torticollis. Other issues include fussy babies, flatheads, hyper/hypotonia (increased muscle tone), teething, ear infection, etc.
These issues may be the result of birth interventions like vacuum extraction, forceps or caesarean sections. Many of these issues can be treated gently and naturally using a technique called craniosacral.
The craniosacral therapist can help the baby feel more at ease and also assist new parents in their transition to their new roles of mother or father. When the baby is more comfortable in its new environment, bonding and attachment increases.
It is a hands-on, noninvasive modality that has been proven to be so successful. Many professionals around the world use it. It is an offshoot from cranial osteopathy developed by an American physician, William Sutherland D.O. in the 1920s.
A craniosacral therapist’s job is to facilitate the flow of cerebral-spinal fluid. The cerebral spinal fluid of a person fluctuates like a wave from the cranium to the spinal column, and then back up. It also moves throughout the body. The fluid movement is linked to each individual’s health.
The problems listed above can be caused by a cerebral spinal fluid that is not flowing smoothly. Imagine gridlock as opposed to smooth highway driving.
Unnecessary stress or strain caused by fetal position, birth or other events may cause flow restrictions. These restrictions can be released to ease the nervous system, and many other aspects of bodily functioning. When the cerebral spinal fluid moves with ease, the entire organic system and the human body function in harmony.
The craniosacral therapist will ask questions about conception, pregnancy and birth, as well as the postpartum period. He or she will then use their hands to “listen” or palpate the tissues and membranes of the patient to determine if cerebral spinal fluid has been restricted. It has a certain flow that can be felt by a skilled practitioner. The movement comes from deep inside, at the level of the cerebral spine. It is more like deep shifting and tracking, but on subtle yet profound levels.
A typical session can last between 60 and 90 minutes. The number of sessions for a particular issue can vary depending on how severe the problem is. The results of treatments may take up to a week, since this is a holistic, whole-body treatment that works gently, slowly and deeply. All the tissues, including cartilage, fluids and membranes, fascia and the brain, respond to this treatment, releasing constrictions. The baby is fully clothed and often in the arms of the parent or on their back during the session. Craniosacral therapies use very light touches.
In some cases, appointments can be made in the practitioner’s offices, or at home. The average cost per treatment is between $125 and $160.
From birth, Craniosacral therapy can be used. You may wish to seek assistance if you observe that your baby has any of the above issues or is in pain. Some medical doctors may be familiar with craniosacral therapies, but osteopathic physicians must study it in medical school. Asking your pediatrician if they are familiar with Reiki or acupuncture is like asking if they speak a foreign language. Below are some resources to help you locate a craniosacral specialist.
