CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY - FOR PARENTS, BABIES & CHILDREN

Article submitted by Kat Binding

OVERVIEW

The CranioSacral system consists of the membranes and the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and protects the brain & spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth (which make up the cranium) down to the sacrum, or tailbone area.  Since this vital system influences the development and performance of the brain & spinal cord, an imbalance or restriction in it could potentially cause any number of sensory, motor or neurological disabilities. These problems could include: chronic pain; eye, ear, nose & throat difficulties; motor-coordination impairments; sleep problems; learning disabilities & many other health challenges.  These restrictions can be caused by many different factors, including stress, injury (car accidents, whiplash, concussion, falls), and any other kind of trauma, including during labour and delivery.

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle method of detection and correction that encourages your own natural healing mechanisms to release restriction on the central nervous system, benefiting from better overall health & resistance to disease. The CranioSacral Therapy practitioner uses a light touch - generally no more than the weight of a nickel - to test for restrictions in the craniosacral system. This is done by monitoring the rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid as it flows through the system.

The positive effects of CranioSacral Therapy rely, to a large extent, on your body's natural self-corrective ability. The therapist's light, hands-on approach simply assists the hydraulic forces inherent in the craniosacral system to improve your body's internal environment and to strengthen its ability to heal itself.

FERTILITY & CONCEPTION

CranioSacral Therapy can be applied to the potential father and mother to free up physical barriers that may be causing problems with fertility and conception, including: abnormal sperm, testicular issues, ovulation dysfunction, tubal & pelvic pathology, as well as unexplained infertility factors (emotional blocks).  CranioSacral Therapy can free up physical restrictions that can affect the whole reproductive system, including the glands, which produce the hormones in the body necessary for conception. It can also be very effective at creating a stronger bond between mother & father before conception.

PREGNANCY

A woman’s body goes through many significant & dramatic changes over the course of a pregnancy, affecting practically every system in the body.  CranioSacral Therapy is effective at addressing the stresses put on a woman’s body by the fetus - from the physical (nausea, back pain, high blood pressure, sleeping difficulties) to emotional (stress, anxiety, sadness, fear).

LABOUR & DELIVERY  

CranioSacral Therapy has been observed to assist in the relaxation of the mother during labour & delivery.  It is also used as a tool to help release and relax the pelvic floor in order to ease delivery, thereby allowing a more relaxing and potentially intervention-free birth. 

POST NATAL

Labour & delivery can also be a stressful time for the baby, depending on many factors: length of labour, delivery position, the necessity of medical intervention (medication, forceps, suction).  A CranioSacral treatment on the newborn baby during the first 24-48 hours after birth can release any restrictions that may have occurred.  The indications for a CranioSacral treatment can be seen through routine Cranial Nerve Reflex Tests (Wince test, Blink test, Moro Startle test, Gag reflex, Rooting reflex, etc).  Any unusual results from these tests may be an indication of a restriction in one or more of the 12 cranial nerves.   Restriction on (or in the tissue around) these nerves can lead to issues such as colic, torticolis, eyesight or hearing difficulties, and nursing/latching troubles, to name but a few.

CHILDREN

CranioSacral Therapy is an ideal treatment modality for infants & children, as indicated by its gentleness.  The goal is a central nervous system free of restrictions and a body that is able to function at its highest level.  Starting at a young age, the application of CranioSacral Therapy may avoid or improve issues such as: excessive excitability, sleep difficulties, bed wetting, attention deficit disorder, motor problems, speech/vision/hearing impairments, generalized anxiety, digestive issues (colic, vomiting).

Research strongly suggests that the birth process may be responsible for many brain dysfunctions and central nervous system problems.  CranioSacral Therapy carried out in the delivery room or within the first few days of life could potentially reduce a wide variety of difficulties, many of which might not become apparent until your child is in school.  The bottom line is, when properly applied, CranioSacral Therapy is essentially risk-free.  So, no matter how old your child is (or you are!), or whether you consider the difficulty to be physical or emotional, it is never too late to benefit from this essential therapy.

Kat Binding is a CranioSacral Therapist, Medicinal Plant Practitioner and Educator who lives and works in Winnipeg. She has been practicing CranioSacral Therapy for over 10 years. Kat's practice consists entirely of treating her clients using the techniques unique to her CranioSacral training, to great individual success.  She can be reached at 955-0159, or by e-mail at KatBindingCST@shaw.ca  or look for “Kat Binding CranioSacral Therapy” on Facebook.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of its author