How can CranioSacral Therapy help my child?
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating
and enhancing the functioning of the physiological body system called the
craniosacral system. The craniosacral system is comprised of the
membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain
and spinal cord (the central nervous system). By freeing the central
nervous system to perform at its best, CST naturally reduces pain and
stress, strengthens one’s resistance to disease, and enhances health
and well-being. CST helps to align the body structurally and facilitates
the bodily systems to work properly. And because it’s so gentle and
noninvasive, CranioSacral Therapy has proven effective for all ages,
from newborns to elders.
What are the benefits of early intervention?
It’s widely recognized that in certain instances, the birth process can
generate mild to severe central nervous system abnormalities.
CranioSacral Therapy carried out in the delivery room, or within the
first few days of life, can potentially reduce a wide spectrum of
health challenges, many of which might not otherwise become apparent
until the child is in school. It can even address problems with head
shape and skull-bone override, naturally.
Many congenital and acquired health challenges also respond well to
CranioSacral Therapy. It has shown to be effective a improving and
maintaining a healthy immune system, and because of its gentle,
non-invasive qualities, it seamlessly accommodates other therapies
delivered by early-intervention medical teams.
What to expect in your child’s CST session.
A typical CranioSacral Therapy session takes place in a quit, peaceful
setting. Parents are encouraged to bring toys and blankets to the
session that the child will associate with comfort. The child remains
clothed, and is treated on a padded table or therapy floor.
Parents stay in the therapy room and participate in the child’s session.
They may lie on the table or floor with the child, if that helps the
child feel more secure.
Reactions to CST vary. Children may sleep through the session, while
others may be alert, and even crawling around (toys come in handy to
distract them and keep them stationary). Older children are usually
comfortable lying on the table and relaxing. Children may be silent or
vocal, and sometimes may cry. The therapist works with the child to help
them feel secure and relaxed.
Through gentle touch, the therapist begins monitoring the rhythm of the
fluid that is flowing around the central nervous system. Delicate
manual techniques are then used to release restrictions in the child’s
body and head, thus improving the function of the central nervous
system. The sessions are generally deeply relaxing, creating feelings of
warmth or gentle pulsing in the areas where the therapist is working.
How CST can help children with special needs.
– CST has been shown to ease the tension patterns in children. This has
been shown to help children on the autism spectrum to feel more
comfortable and aware of the world around them.
– CST assists children in relaxing. This can benefit children
with ADHD, as it can help their brain slow down its cataloging
activity when they relax.
– CST helps reduce tension patterns around the eyes and ears, so the
areas of the brain that process language may function better. This may
help dyslexic children, as they often have difficlutly processing visual
and auditory information.
