CST for Babies + Children

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 at 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 quiet, 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 to 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.

Indications for CST in Babies

• Latch problems

• Tongue retraction

•  Arching

• Breast preference

• Asymmetries

• Suck problems

• Cephalhematoma

•  Tongue-tie

• Cranial asymmetries 

• Overriding cranial bones

• Inadequate milk transfer

• Digestive disturbances 

• Nervous system depression

• Nervous system irritability

• Torticollis

• Plagiocephaly

• Postural body twist

• Colic

How CST can help children with special needs.

• CST has been shown to ease the tension patterns in children. This has been show 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 difficulty processing visual and auditory information.

The Role of CranioSacral Therapy in assisting with neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorders) – CST has been reported in research to help alleviate or diminish the following:

•  Sleep disturbances; shallow breathing

•  Irritability, erratic, and repetitive behaviors

•  Sensory overload, tantrums, anxiety and fight-flight

•  Head banging and other self-abusive mutilation

•  Self-stimulation behaviors—toe walking, hand flapping and noise making

• Aggression and intense sensory seeking

CST has been observed to improve the following functions:

• Normalize reactions to sensations

• Achieve calmness and focus; readiness to learn and interact

• Feel sensory feedback, so body and hands start doing more things

• Communication abilities (verbal and nonverbal)

• Self care: toileting, eating meals and dressing

• Quality of life, which also reduces family stress