What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on energy medicine, used to improve energy flow throughout the body. The practitioner applies her hands very lightly to the client’s body in multiple areas, feeling for restrictions in the fascia (a special connective tissue all throughout the body). She also feels for the flow of cerebrospinal fluid as it moves through the cranium and spine. The goal is to sense and help release any restrictions in the tissues surrounding the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the entire body. Restrictions in the fascia and flow of cerebrospinal fluid are the result of both physical and emotional traumas, chronic stress and stress/trauma during the birthing process.
CST can improve whole-body health, as well as relieve pain, improve structural alignment, cause deep relaxation and stress reduction, as well as increased circulation to organs and tissues. It can be used to increase the immune system, to help process both recent and past physical/emotional traumas, as well as headaches, joint issues and stress induced conditions.
When is CranioSacral Therapy helpful for the newborn?
During the birth process, it is normal for the bones in baby's head to mold (override each other) to fit through the birth canal. After birth, these accommodations in the baby's skull should not persist. If they do not self correct, they can interfere with proper nervous function, potentially leading to breastfeeding issues, colic/breathing/swallowing/digestive or sensory-motor impairments and more. Sometimes babies experience a stressful birth experience, which may be both physical and emotional. CST can address these tensions as well as the effects of a very quick or prolonged labor, vacuum extraction, the use of forceps or cesarean birth.
CST can help soothe fussy and overly sensitive babies, can help babies with digestive or elimination difficulties/reflux/colic/spitting up, breastfeeding or latching issues (leading to sore nipples in moms). CST can also help babies who favor turning their heads to only one side (which can lead to favoring one breast or position for nursing), who do not like tummy time and can help babies sleep longer and more soundly.
What are the benefits of treating children?
Children's bodies are resilient, and 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.
CST may be helpful for chronic ear infections, headaches, learning disabilities, sensory integration problems, autism, developmental delays, chronic pain, difficult mobility, ADD/ADHD, cerebral palsy, genetic disorders, neurological conditions and many more.
What should my child expect in a treatment?
Children rest fully clothed on a massage table or in the therapist’s or 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. CST sessions for children can last from 15 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on the individual’s tolerance and need. It is good to note that cranial work is not done when the session is over, and to expect that the body will continue releasing restrictions over the next few days. After any CST session, it is a good idea to stay well hydrated to help move out any toxins/stuck energy that has been released.
Make an appointment with Dr. Evans for craniosacral therapy.
