As a parent or caregiver, you want to be sure that your child is going to be looked after and comfortable when accessing treatment. There are many holistic therapies that support children to heal in natural ways, and craniosacral therapy London is a great option.
CST is especially useful for newborns, babies, and young children because of its gentle method and calming approach. It’s a starting point for many people seeking alternative treatments and in many cases resolves ailments completely.
Why craniosacral therapy is used for infants
Craniosacral therapy is a wonderful way to treat infants for various issues. It’s important to use treatment that is relaxed, calm, and non-threatening for children so that they feel safe.
The great thing about CST is that the therapist relieves tension caused throughout the body by working with the cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and spine. Doing so supports the nervous system to effectively send messages around the body supporting it to heal.
Due to how it’s carried out, the method soothes and relaxes children while having no risks or adverse side effects.
What’s interesting to know straight off is that working with the cerebrospinal fluid and the body membranes it’s found in helps to realign cranial bones bringing about balance. This is especially useful in babies who’ve come into the world through a traumatic birth and/or when a misshapen head has been caused by tongs.
The essential and gentle nature of CST touch
Due to the head and body system that craniosacral therapists work with, gentle touch is vital. An extremely gentle touch (about 5g pressure) is applied in a non-invasive manner. This can be done over a layer of clothes.
What the therapist is doing is feeling for the rhythm of the craniosacral system, its membrane and the movement of fluid around the spine and nervous system. The point is to enhance the flow of this fluid around body and head. Doing this, eases tension in the connective tissue and fascia, which supports natural healing.
Just as lymphatic massage helps to remove toxins via lymph away from organs, a craniosacral massage – which is even gentler – supports the brain to send healthy messages around the body through the nervous system.
Practitioners respond to what is felt in the baby’s or child’s body. Each little body is different with different needs. Through the craniosacral pulse we locate tension in the head and body and remove it with very gentle touch.
Safety and practitioner qualifications
It’s incredibly important to seek a practitioner who works within safety guidelines and is qualified to offer therapies.
Accredited training and ongoing experience means we’re skilled in the different systems of the body and are able to identify tension, discomfort, misalignment, and pain. As well as working on these areas, at Bodywork Massage, I can offer insight on behaviours and movements that might exacerbate these problems to help you try to reduce them.
I have many accreditations that support holistic healing including craniosacral training and years of experience, soft tissue therapy, massage and healing, naturopathic medicine, and sports massage.
I’m very happy to talk to you more about that in-person or over the phone. It’s important you know your child is in good hands.
Anecdotal evidence of CST working for babies and children
Please feel free to call me to hear about the craniosacral work I’ve carried out with children. I’ll provide examples while keeping clients anonymous in keeping with data protection guidelines. I can also discuss your case on an individual basis and make suggestions around treatments I offer at Bodywork Massage.
When to consider craniosacral therapy for your children
There are many accounts of the quick treatment response craniosacral therapy has in young babies. Parents report it being especially useful in helping their babies to relax and latching on. Even newborns can be treated and this is useful in reducing the need for medication and surgery where there might be complications.
Babies are commonly treated with CST for the following issues…
- Issues with latching during breastfeeding. This might be caused by tension in the mouth, neck, and/or jaw. During CST, this tension is found and eased.
- Traumatic or stressful birth can have lasting effects felt through the head and body. Working with the craniosacral system and moving the fluid through it, this helps with relieving stress, with problems such as glue car, and also supports cranial bones to reshape where tongs may have been used during birth.
- Colic, constipation, wind, reflux, and sickness. In this case, CST helps relieve tension in the body and digestive system while also focusing on the cranial base and occipital bone.
- Sleep disruption. Supporting emotional relaxation, this therapy helps to relax babies to promote sleep.
Craniosacral therapy is also effective in treating young children. One research study in particular reported that caregivers reported an improvement in general health.
Children are often treated for the following…
- Disturbed sleep
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Sinus infections
- Ear infections
- Mood disorders and emotional difficulties
What can you expect from a treatment session?
You and your child can expect a warm welcome. The treatment room is clinical in the sense that it is professional, clean, and private, but it’s designed to feel comfortable and relaxed. Parents and caregivers usually stay in the room on a comfortable chair while the child is on the treatment table. The therapy is given over the top of clothes with light touch.
If your child has comfort items (i.e. toy or blanket), they can have this with them while the treatment takes place. Relaxation is key.
Conclusion
It’s incredibly important to think about what treatments to try with your children. Where possible, opting for non-invasive methods is a natural go-to. Doing so, especially with a treatment like craniosacral therapy that includes a gentle touch means your child feels as comfortable and relaxed as possible within a welcoming treatment setting.
Talking to a practitioner about the treatment and how this applies at an individual level can make all the difference in assuring you.
Craniosacral therapy is a worthwhile treatment to explore as it can be used to treat a wide range of ailments and is shown to improve children’s overall health.
FAQs
Is craniosacral therapy safe for infants?
Yes, craniosacral therapy is safe for infants. It’s always advisable to seek medical advice from trained professionals, so please ask any questions you might have before booking a treatment. You can enquire with us at Bodywork Massage for how we approach particular conditions with CST.
Are there any side effects of CST?
There are no adverse side effects of CST. People often leave feeling very relaxed, calm, and as though there has been an emotional shift. It’s especially helpful in relieving stress and tension.
