We see a lot of babies and children here at Rooted Family Wellness Centre for a variety of reasons. One of the more common reasons is to see our Osteopathic Manual Therapists and Registered Massage Therapists who utilize a range of techniques including stretching, massage and other gentle techniques such as craniosacral therapy. Cranial techniques are safe, gentle and are very effective when treating young children and newborn infants.
What is craniosacral therapy?
Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a relaxing hands-on therapy that is non-invasive and works to enhance healing capabilities by aligning the body’s natural rhythms and balancing mechanisms. CST treatment can be used for all ages from newborn infants, young children, youth and adults.
Craniosacral therapy for babies and children
CST is used for infants and children for a variety of reasons. For starters, the birth process can impact a newborn in several ways. CST can be very effective whether it was an uncomplicated birth, if it was a more difficult delivery or if there was a birth injury. The bones of an infant’s head are made up of separate moving parts which are designed by nature to move and adjust as the baby travels through the birth canal. A baby’s head is designed to be flexible and strong enough to push its way out under pressure or during a c-section. However, certain problems can arise when these cranial bones get twisted or get compressed. It can be difficult to detect these issues and other imbalances in babies and children until a proper assessment is done by a trained practitioner. A CST treatment involves a whole-body assessment followed by a gentle treatment of the areas of dysfunction within the craniosacral system. Below are some common pediatric issues that are treated here at Rooted Family Wellness Centre.
Which pediatric conditions can be treated with craniosacral therapy?
❖ Problems stemming from the birthing process: whether it was uncomplicated or more complicated, including issues birth trauma from interventions such as the use of a vacuum or forceps extraction or a C-section
❖ Breastfeeding issues
❖ Constipation
❖ Gastrointestinal pain and acid reflux
❖ Colic
❖ Not sleeping well, including when day and night seem to be reversed for the infant
❖ Teething pain
❖ Head-shape issues
❖ Earaches
❖ Developmental delays
❖ Back and neck pain
❖ Brain injury
❖ Central nervous system disorders
❖ Chronic fatigue
❖ Autism
❖ Behavioural issues
What to expect during a pediatric craniosacral treatment
Babies and infants will lay fully clothed on a comfortable treatment table or even in their parent’s arms for the treatment. The craniosacral therapist will lightly hold the skull, assess the spine, belly, arms and legs with gentle and almost undetectable movements. These tiny manipulations of CST affect the pressure and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid which is the fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord. Most babies are very relaxed during the treatment and some even fall asleep. During a pediatric treatment, our practitioners adjust to the needs of the child and there are often breaks for feeding, diaper changes, etc. if needed!
For some babies, only one assessment and treatment is required. For more complicated conditions, a few sessions might be useful. Ongoing craniosacral treatments might also be a good idea to support proper development.
What our clients have to say:
Baby’s age: 17 months old
Main concern: constipation & sleeplessness
“My little girl hadn't pooped in nearly a week and she was so uncomfortable all day and extra wakeful all night. I adjusted her diet, but with having just started solids the poor thing needed more help. The team at Rooted took us in short notice and was super accommodating, even a room to breastfeed in after our visit. The osteopath was so gentle and flexible to the needs of our baby, for some of the treatment I just held her and the treatment continued. Baby girl tooted throughout and I left with some gentle options to continue at home and 18 hours later she had the biggest poop of her life! Literally. So grateful! She's much happier and so am I!"
- Candice (mom)
To learn more, please go to our website or reach out to us and we’d be glad to provide you with more information about how craniosacral therapy can benefit your infant, child and yourself! If you have private health insurance, receipts are provided under massage therapy or osteopathy.
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