Infant Cranial Work
at Ozark Holistic Center
Treating with
A gentle touch to sooth your small one
What is cranial work?
Anyone can benefit from cranial work, but with infants there are not many other options for soothing their issues. Cranial-sacral therapy is a type of massage that uses incredibly light touch. Instead of working out tension via fascial release, cranial-sacral work stimulates the nerves in the spinal column and the base of the brain in such a way that improves the flow of information signals. This improved flow of information has effects on the rest of the body, like improved circulation, sleep, anxiety, organ health, headaches, nerve damage, even muscle tension, and much more.
Why would my infant need cranial-sacral therapy?
Let’s remember: birth is traumatic. It is very hard on the mother and and baby both, and for some babies it can be rougher than others. There is a lot of pressure being exerted onto the baby’s body, followed by the shock of oxygen intake, and for some children this might include surgical removal, anxiety or health issues in the mother's body, or trauma from umbilical cord. Sometimes this process can leave tension in the baby’s body, in the form of neck, back, or throat tightness that is inhibiting movement or causing a degree of pain. As the spinal cord sends messages to the brain, tension can create blockages and get in the way of the baby's brain receiving some signals. But unfortunately, they don’t know how to tell you about it.
Your baby may benefit from cranial-sacral therapy if they:
Are unable to get to sleep, stay asleep, or seem restless when they are sleeping
Are tense, extra fidgety, or difficult to cuddle
Seem to prefer one breast over the other
Are experiencing tongue tie
Have difficulty feeding, latching to a breast, or latching too hard
Utter slurping or clicking noises when feeding
Have problems burping
Curl up or cry after feeding
Vomit excessively
How would my infant benefit form cranial work?
If your infant has experienced any of the symptoms above, they may be due to neck, back, or other body pains that he or she cannot communicate to you. By gently stimulating the nerves of the spinal cord and the base of the skull, we are able to promote improved sensation and message transmission in the nerves - relieving the discomfort-causing tension and inducing relaxation in the child.
For example, troubles like tongue tie, slurpy noises when feeding, inability to get good suction on breast, or a preference for one breast over the other often indicate that there is tightness in the neck or throat. That tightness produces pain, though we only see the baby being reluctant or upset. When we remove the throat tension, the baby can have full range of his or her mouth and throat muscles to eat more comfortably–ultimately meaning a happier baby and a happier parent!
How safe is it for my infant?
Definitely. Cranial work does not look like regular chiropractic adjustments for adults. The touch administered here is so gentle that the baby may even be soothed right then and there as if they are being petted or caressed. There is no minimum age for babies to get assessed with us - in fact the sooner you bring in your infant, the better so that the issues you're noticing can be addressed promptly. Their bodies respond very quickly to treatment and you will likely notices changes in the following day or two, if not immediately. Leaving the tense places in the baby’s body may lead to further complications or annoyances. The process requires skill and precision, and we feel confident offering these to you and your family.
Need help?
Many parents experience these commonplace issues with new children, but the conversation does not always include tension from birth as the cause. If you are dealing with any of the symptoms listed above, please call us. We would love the opportunity to help your transition into parenthood be as smooth as possible. We offer a free phone or in-person consultation so you can have a pressure-free chat with us about your baby's health.