What is Craniosacral Therapy for Babies?

Craniosacral therapy can be beneficial for premature children or children who experienced difficulties during delivery. In this article we’ll share with you its benefits and contraindications.

Craniosacral therapy is all about stimulation and primary respiratory movement support.

This therapy takes the whole body into account and it can be performed from the embryonic stage. The perfect time to receive craniosacral therapy is 48 hours after delivery.

How is craniosacral therapy performed?

Cerebro-spinal pulse is considered to be one of the most basic manifestations of health in babies. The proper functioning of the nervous system and the rest of the body’s organs depends on this important pulse.

Its rhythm can be regulated through gentle massages on the head, neck and spine. This is where craniosacral therapy comes in.

In order to perform this therapy, the little one should be placed in their mother’s arms. The therapy can also be done while breastfeeding.

The specialist’s hands will run over the baby’s body and stop at the spine and skull in order to release tension that might have built up.

In normal conditions, craniosacral therapy sessions can last for as long as one hour. The number of sessions needed will depend on the severity of the problem.

Parents, for their part, should inform their specialists if they see any changes in their child. They can also apply additional treatment if the specialist sees it fit.

Benefits of craniosacral therapy

This therapy is only known in certain parts of the world. Due to the many benefits that this type of therapy brings, its implementation is important.

Its implementation is especially important if the newborn had a complicated delivery. Here are a few of the benefits that craniosacral therapy can provide:

• It strengthens the bond with the baby. The bond with the baby can be strengthened through craniosacral therapy sessions. If there is a positive means of communication with the specialist, the baby will feel more secure.
• Premature babies are more sensitive. These sessions allow specialists to discover the child’s physical and emotional state.

• Through craniosacral therapy, specialists can find out if there are signs of trauma such as dissociation, stress, crying or irritability. In extreme cases, signs such as hypotonia or tissue flaccidity may be observed.
• Craniosacral therapy helps restore balance and order, which in turn facilitates body movement. It has been proven to improve the circulation of lymphatic fluid which can favor the development of bones and internal organs. Craniosacral therapy can eliminate the causes of various irritations of the nervous system.
• It can help with other health problems, such as colic, attention deficit and/or hyperactivity disorder, autism, learning difficulties, coordination issues, bone disorders and ear infections.

Contraindications of craniosacral therapy

Before undergoing craniosacral therapy, parents should carefully select a qualified professional to perform it.

Malpractice can have very negative effects on the baby’s health. In extreme cases it can even cause severe injuries or death.

If your baby doesn’t present any pain or illnesses, craniosacral therapy is not necessary. If the child has health problems or discomfort, however, consult your pediatrician in order to perform the corresponding evaluations.

How many sessions are needed?

Craniosacral therapy is specially recommended for babies who have certain health problems. In most cases, only one session is needed to treat the different areas of the child’s brain and spine.

However, sessions can be repeated as many times as necessary in the case of children who have back or muscle pain. Multiple sessions can also be performed in the case of malformations of the skull.

Parents should always be present during therapy sessions in order to make the child feel safe. This will help facilitate the session.

As we mentioned above, some children respond well after a single session and others may require more depending on the severity of the case.

If as a parent you notice that your child is in pain and your pediatrician recommends craniosacral therapy, it’s important to make sure that you find the most qualified professional to carry it out.

It’s also important for parents to allow their children to take their time during sessions.

This will allow them to feel more comfortable. Their comfort is an essential aspect towards the positive outcome of this kind of therapy.