A Gentle Approach to Your Baby’s Health and Comfort
For parents in Eagle and across the Treasure Valley, the early months of a baby’s life are filled with joy, but they can also bring challenges. When your infant is struggling with issues like feeding difficulties, colic, or persistent fussiness, it can be distressing. Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a safe, gentle, and increasingly sought-after approach that supports your baby’s ability to self-heal and find comfort. This subtle, hands-on therapy can address underlying tensions from birth, improving overall function and well-being.
What Exactly is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral Therapy is a light-touch therapy that focuses on the craniosacral system—the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. This system has a profound influence on the central nervous system, which controls nearly every function in the body. The goal of a CST practitioner is to use a touch, often no heavier than the weight of a nickel, to detect and release restrictions in the soft tissues. By freeing these restrictions, the body’s natural healing processes are enhanced, helping to restore balance and improve nervous system function.
How Can Craniosacral Therapy Benefit Your Infant?
The journey into the world can be physically demanding for a baby. The pressures of birth, whether vaginal or via C-section, can create subtle tension and restrictions in an infant’s body. These imbalances can manifest in various ways. CST can provide relief for a number of common infant challenges.
Easing Feeding and Latching Difficulties
If your baby has a shallow latch, makes clicking sounds while nursing, or seems frustrated at the breast or bottle, tension in their jaw, neck, or palate could be the cause. CST can gently release this tightness, improving their ability to latch deeply and suck effectively. This therapy is a wonderful complement to our expert lactation support and specialized feeding therapy services.
Aiding Recovery After Tongue-Tie Release
For infants who have undergone an infant tongue-tie release (frenotomy), CST is highly beneficial. The procedure releases the restricted tissue, but the body can still hold onto compensatory tension patterns. Craniosacral therapy helps relax the surrounding muscles in the mouth, jaw, and neck, allowing for better tongue mobility and promoting optimal healing and function post-procedure.
Soothing Colic, Reflux, and Digestive Discomfort
Excessive crying, gas, and reflux can often be linked to a dysregulated nervous system or tension affecting the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in digestion. CST helps to calm the baby’s central nervous system and can release physical restrictions in the abdomen and diaphragm, leading to more comfortable digestion and a happier, more settled baby.
Addressing Torticollis and Head Shape Asymmetries
Torticollis, a condition where neck muscles cause the head to tilt or turn to one side, is common in newborns. This can lead to plagiocephaly, or a flat spot on the head. CST can gently release tightness in the neck and cranial bones, improving range of motion and encouraging a more symmetrical head shape. It is an effective therapy that can be integrated with our comprehensive craniofacial and physical therapy programs.
What to Expect During Your Baby’s Session
A craniosacral therapy session is a calm and peaceful experience for both you and your baby. The infant can be held in your arms, lie on a comfortable treatment table, or even be feeding during the session. Our trained therapist will use very gentle, sustained touch on your baby’s head, spine, and body to feel for subtle rhythms and release areas of tension. Sessions are tailored to the baby’s needs and comfort, and many infants become deeply relaxed or even fall asleep.
Did You Know?
- ✓ The pressure used in infant CST is incredibly light, often described as the weight of a nickel.
- ✓ CST views the body as a whole, understanding that tension in one area, like the neck, can impact functions like digestion and sucking.
- ✓ The therapy is non-invasive and works by supporting the baby’s own capacity for self-correction and healing.
Is Craniosacral Therapy Right for Your Child?
If you’ve noticed any of the following signs, your infant may benefit greatly from a craniosacral evaluation:
- Difficulty latching, weak suck, or pain with nursing.
- Excessive fussiness, crying, and symptoms of colic.
- A preference for turning the head to only one side.
- Asymmetrical head shape or visible flat spots.
- Significant reflux, spitting up, or digestive issues.
- Trouble sleeping or seeming generally unsettled.
- Recovery from a difficult birth (e.g., long labor, forceps/vacuum assistance, C-section).
Finding Expert Craniosacral Therapy in Eagle and the Treasure Valley
For families in Eagle, Star, Meridian, and throughout Boise, accessing integrated pediatric care is crucial. At the Center for Orofacial Myology, we offer Craniosacral Therapy as part of our holistic, team-based approach. Our experienced practitioners collaborate to ensure your child receives comprehensive support, whether they need CST alone or in combination with our other specialized services. We are dedicated to identifying and addressing the root cause of your child’s challenges to foster lasting comfort and healthy development.
Give Your Baby the Gift of Comfort and Ease
If you believe your infant could benefit from a gentle, effective therapy to resolve discomfort and improve function, we are here to help. Contact the Center for Orofacial Myology to learn more about Craniosacral Therapy and our integrated approach to pediatric wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Craniosacral Therapy safe for newborns?
Absolutely. CST is one of the gentlest forms of bodywork available and is exceptionally safe for infants, including newborns, when performed by a properly trained and certified practitioner. Its non-invasive nature makes it a safe option for addressing many common newborn challenges.
How many sessions will my baby need?
The number of sessions varies depending on the individual needs of your child. Some babies experience significant improvement after just one or two sessions, while others with more complex issues may benefit from a series of treatments. Our therapist will discuss a personalized plan with you after an initial evaluation.
Does the therapy hurt the baby?
No, CST is not painful. The touch is extremely light and gentle. Most babies find the sessions very relaxing and soothing. It is normal for some babies to release emotions through crying during a session, but this is part of the therapeutic process and not a sign of pain.
How is CST different from chiropractic care?
While both therapies can be beneficial, they have different focuses. Chiropractic care often involves adjustments to the spine to improve alignment and nervous system function. Craniosacral Therapy focuses on the subtle rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid and uses light touch to release restrictions in the soft tissues (fascia) that surround the central nervous system.