Craniosacral Healing
Through light touch the body is communicating through his/her rhythms while relieving pain and dysfunction in the body. The craniosacral system includes the bones, sutures, fluids, membranes and soft tissue from the head to the pelvis. There is a slow, gentle rhythm that can be felt throughout the entire body. I work with the rhythm to release tension and encourage healing at the core of the body through light touch. William Sutherland, the founder of craniosacral therapy said, “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.” By helping to correct and bring the body into balance, we help the body to align structurally and get all of the systems working properly. I personally feel that not every baby needs to be treated, but what a gift to a baby if they could be evaluated to release restrictions in the body before they become an issue later in life.
Craniosacral Healing for Babies
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, non-invasive and effective hands-on therapy that benefits babies adjusting after a long or difficult birth, or as wellness care. It is safe and beneficial for newborns after birth by relieving restrictions in the body to create health, harmony and well-being.
Newborns benefit from this therapy because of the intense pressure on the cranium during the birthing process to fit through the mother’s pelvis. During birth, the cranium bones of the head naturally override each other and then expand back as part of the birth process. However, in some instances, this may not happen and can lead to problems. It can help to prevent breastfeeding challenges by enhancing their tongue thrust, sucking reflex and latch. When a baby has had a frenotomy (clipping of the frenulum under the tongue) to free up a tongue tie, sometimes breastfeeding issues continue. Craniosacral therapy eases the tightness in the baby’s mouth, head and neck, leading to breastfeeding success. If a baby was born by cesarean or with a forceps/vacuum then they especially need this therapy to ease the abrupt pressure that the body went through during the birth. Craniosacral Therapy is important for a challenging birth of any kind or if a baby is experiencing any health problems.
Issues that can be addressed with Craniosacral Therapy include:
- Breastfeeding challenges
- Latching problems
- Breathing difficulties
- Colic, fussy babies
- Digestive issues/ constipation
- Reflux
- Sleeping issues
- Teething pain
- Asymmetry head shape
- Developmental delays
- Spitting up
- Toritcollis -babies favoring turning heads to one side
- Babies that were or is tongue tied
- Babies that seem uncomfortable or overly sensitive
Issues that can be addressed during the childbearing year:
- Nausea / Vomiting
- Neck or Back pain
- Headaches / migraines
- Chronic fatigue / sleeping disorders
- Dizziness
- Low energy
- Immune system boosting
- Vision problems
- Numbness
- Heat or cold sensitivity
- Temporal mandibular joint pain [TMJ]
- Constipation
- Cramping
- Stress and Tension-Related Problems
- Depression / Anxiety
- Sciatic or other nerve pain
- Pubic Symphysis Pain
- Rectus Diastasis
- Pelvic Ligament Pain
- Optimal fetal positioning for birth
- Premature Engagement of Baby in Mother’s Pelvis
- Recovering from Cesarean birth
- Improve pelvic floor strength and function
- Breastfeeding Complications
- Accident injuries
- Poor digestion or constipation
- Chronic pain
- Thyroid disorders
- Hormonal imbalances
- Allergies
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Scoliosis
Craniosacral Therapy for Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum
Craniosacral Therapy is a form of manual therapy that uses gentle touch to help the body come back into balance and function optimally. The body needs mobility and when parts of the body don’t move independently, pain and loss of function may occur. The amount of pressure used is about 5 grams (the weight of a nickel) and the therapy is done fully clothed. Pregnant mothers often report a feeling of ‘more space’ for the baby to move and grow. This treatment helps both the mother and baby to relax, feel more comfortable and bond.
“ I was blessed to receive a cranial sacral session from Tracy; laying down on her treatment table in a warm cozy cabin surrounded by beautiful redwoods, I let my body surrender into deep relaxation. I loved Tracy’s kind compassionate and confident manner and touch. I felt a lot of energies move, especially a strong release of tension around my neck. I left the treatment feeling quiet, centered energized and more balanced. I look forward to sharing this my family especially my 4.5 yr old. Thank you Tracy for sharing This powerful healing gift”
— Ilana Meallem (Aguahara practitioner, environmental peacemaker, mama)
Preconception and Fertility
If you are planning or trying to conceive then receiving Craniosacral Therapy can help treat any imbalances or restrictions in your pelvis and reproductive organs giving you support for an easier conception.
Craniosacral Therapy For The Whole Family
Craniosacral therapy is a wonderful way to support babies, children and adults in a family. It addresses our internal self-healing system and helps empower each person to be part of their own healing.
What should I expect during a Craniosacral Therapy session?
Craniosacral therapy is done wearing comfortable clothing and can be performed in the parents’ arms. The hands-on part of a session for an infant usually lasts 15-45 minutes. Though it may look like nothing is being done, this light, conscious touch is palpating the craniosacral rhythm and releasing restrictions in the bones, muscles, and tissues. Parents may notice immediate change or they may occur over time depending on what is going on for your baby. Babies will often sleep well after a treatment. Often one session is enough, but some babies require several to see a change.
“When a mother is sharing her birth story to me, I often feel the baby teaching me and showing me what took place during the birth with my hands. I feel honored to feel this connection to them both and to be able to hold the space for a baby to do the healing needed to thrive.”
—Tracy Lough