Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, non-invasive, yet effective type of hands-on body treatment that is helpful for infants and children as well as adults. All babies should receive newborn CST evaluations and treatments as soon as possible after birth. Children should continue to receive pediatric CST periodically throughout childhood as they adapt to the process of growing up.
A Typical Pediatric Craniosacral Therapy Session
Children rest fully clothed on a massage table or in the therapist’s or parent’s lap. During a session, the therapist adapts her technique to the attention span and needs of the child.The therapist utilizes gentle manipulative techniques with her hands, conducting gentle assessments that correct the sources of pain and dysfunction. Though sometimes children release emotions, tension or cry during treatments, pressure seldom exceeds the weight of a nickel so the techniques don’t hurt babies and children. Most children find the sessions to be deeply relaxing. Babies and children will often sleep for a longer stretch than usual after a session. CST treatment sets the stage for baby’s body to most efficiently use its own power to heal.
Reasons to Treat a Child
Childbirth can mean an initial trauma for the newborn baby, especially to the cranial region. Epidural anaesthesia brings serenity to the mother, but can induce disturbances in the baby that the practitioner will be able to detect. In difficult cases where it was necessary to use forceps, cupping devices or resuscitation, craniosacral treatment becomes an indispensable aid to counteract the trauma inflicted upon the baby. Children’s bodies are malleable. They can correct easily and quickly because they have spent less time organizing themselves around their physical and emotional restriction. Left untreated, these restrictions can take more time and effort to correct in adulthood, causing pain and dysfunction in the interim. CST is particularly useful in, but not limited to, the treatment of the following: Colic and Digestive Problems; Sleeplessness; Crying, Upset, Whining; Persistent Coughs and Colds; Hyperactivity.
More Reasons
Chronic Middle Ear Infections, Headaches, Learning Disabilities, Sensory Integration Problems, Breastfeeding Difficulties, Autism, Developmental Delays, Chronic Pain, Mobility Concerns, ADD/ADHD.
