Craniosacral Therapy for Infants

Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle form of osteopathic bodywork that engages the body’s inherent corrective wisdom and supports the resolution of restrictions, tensions and unresolved stresses. This work of delicate and deep “listening” to the body facilitates a return to balance and ease by following the causes of health and struggle to their source, not by responding simply at the level of symptoms. 

Infants may benefit from this work following

• difficult positioning before or during birth

• the introduction of forces needed to assist in the birthing process

• any interruption or stress in the natural biological process of gestation or birthing.

Babies that

• have trouble feeding or digesting effectively or comfortably

• are difficult to soothe

• are irritable

• are lethargic

• have limited movement in certain directions

typically benefit greatly from craniosacral therapy.

Children that had any of these difficulties as infants or that have recurring ear infections or motion sickness may also benefit from this work.

Craniosacral work is unique in its focus on the structures and tissues of the central nervous system and its alignment with the deep corrective vitality of the fluid system surrounding the nervous system. Often the strains and imbalances in a newborn’s body can be very easily corrected with this gentle work to ease strain in the nervous system or compression of a cranial nerve to the neck muscles, face, tongue, or digestive organs.

In addition to creating a more balanced resting state in the body, the work facilitates enriched bonding and a healthy foundation for lifelong well being.

Changes are sometimes noticed after one session though 3 sessions is the accepted recommendation in order to assess the work’s effectiveness.

A few words for parents

Infants’ nervous systems are not yet able to self-regulate and depend on contact with their caregivers to develop this ability as their nervous systems grow. If you are finding it difficult to rest into ease in your own body, receiving craniosacral work yourself and or learning techniques for stress management including Retraining Your Brain techniques can support you in your own health while supporting the healthy development of your child.