Craniosacral Therapy for Children

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a powerful method for restoring balance in infants and children. During birth, the bones of a baby's head glide over each other to make the head small enough to pass through the birth canal. After the child is born, the bones slide back to their optimal positions. Often, however, especially after a prolonged or difficult birth, the bones don't return to their proper places. This is even more true if forceps, suction or other interventions were used during the birth. The misplaced bones can restrict movement of cranial membranes and fluid, thus creating unbalanced pressures in the brain. This can lead to discomfort, crankiness, or even the appearance of brain disorders. The imbalance may also manifest in the limbs and spine, or, because of the critical role of the brain and spinal cord in overall functioning, it can impact any system in the body. CST can help the bones find their way back to their balanced positions, which helps the baby to naturally settle into optimal health.

A new mother, Kristine, noted that her baby's spine was curved and his head was always turned to one side. At the recommendation of a chiropractor, she took her baby for craniosacral therapy. Kristine said that after only one session, not only was her son's spine corrected, but also "he stopped being colicky and his digestive problems went away." The results were so dramatic that Kristine later took her second baby for CST even though he didn't appear to have any obvious difficulties.

Other conditions in children for which CST has been found to be helpful include: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, and learning disabilities, among other things.

How does craniosacral therapy work?

At its most fundamental level, craniosacral therapy balances the system that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. These organs float in a bath of cushioning fluid - cerebrospinal fluid - inside a system of membranes. The membranes, fluid, brain and spinal cord, are in turn held in place by bones: the skull and face bones, the neck and spine, and the sacrum and tailbone.

The craniosacral system pulses slowly and nearly continuously, at a rate of six to twelve pulses per minute. Each time it pulses, the cerebrospinal fluid washes around the brain and spinal cord, transporting nutrients and hormones, and refreshing the brain, pituitary gland and spinal cord. If the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid is restricted, the system is not thoroughly nourished and refreshed.

The bones of the skull and backbone give structure and protection to the precious nerve, intelligence, and hormonal centers of our being. At the same time, the bones are subject to stresses exerted by muscles and organs. Because everything in our body (every muscle, muscle fiber, organ, and bone) is covered with a very thin cobwebby-layer of connective tissue called fascia (pronounced FASH-a), a stress anywhere in the body is transmitted throughout the body. Thus, any stress or tension in the body can and does affect the craniosacral system, and vice-versa.

For example, Lucy, a 50-year old woman, came to me for sinus trouble. She had low back pain, knee problems, and a history of mouth and dental trauma as a girl. She had worn dentures for years. I could easily feel that her facial bones were jammed, thus blocking her sinuses. It was also immediately apparent that the dentures were preventing her cranial rhythm from pulsing freely, and that her sacrum was stuck. By doing craniosacral work with the dentures out (a necessity) to correct the original bone-jamming trauma, her sacrum was able to release. In turn, her low back pain disappeared and knee problems improved. At the same time, her sinuses have continued to clear and are "better than they have been in many years." She is in the process of getting flexible dentures that can respond to the cranial rhythm.

The practitioner of craniosacral therapy balances that system, and may work anywhere on the body. The CST therapist adjusts and releases the cranial rhythm, the bones, the fascia, and the muscles. The session is usually done with the client's clothing on. Fascial work is often called myofascial release, or unwinding. In general, the touch is very light and subtle, since the craniosacral system and the fascia respond best to light touch, and to deep "listening" to the tissue. Most people find it extremely relaxing, and may even fall asleep during treatment. The effects, however, can be dramatic.

Unwinding the Soul

The craniosacral system and the fascia seem to be involved in linking memory and emotion with the body. Emotional memory in particular seems to be stored in the fascia and membranes. When fascial restrictions are released, a memory will often come to light and/or "old" emotions will be experienced. Releasing the tissue can be a critical step in healing trauma. For example, one client came to me with shoulder and side pain. In listening to and following her body, her arm wanted to move to an awkward position behind her back. It turned out that she had been tied in that position while being raped. Doing bodywork in that position was the only way to release the injury. She had been working on issues related to the assault in therapy, and the bodywork supported her moving through things more quickly and completely.

While verbally processing during the actual bodywork sessions can be helpful, it is not necessary. In fact, unskilled attempts to lead a person to verbally process something may restimulate the trauma rather than helping to resolve it. A sensitive and skilled practitioner can "listen" to the tissues to feel where they need to move in order to release. Guidance from a client is not necessary, and often the connection between an injury and a memory is not consciously available.

On a spiritual level, I have noticed (as have many others, practitioners and recipients alike) that the craniosacral system and the fascia are very tangibly linked with the soul and spirit. During and after sessions, people tend to feel more harmonized with those aspects of themselves. At the time of death, the cranial rhythm is the last body pulse to cease. It continues for several minutes longer than the final pulsing of the breath and the blood.

Craniosacral Therapy and Acupuncture

As an acupuncturist, I find that craniosacral therapy dovetails beautifully with acupuncture to deepen and enhance treatments. They overlap and support each other, as both therapies deal with the fascia, the subtle body, and the bioelectric field of a being. Interestingly, recent research has demonstrated correspondences between the acupuncture meridians and the fascial planes as they develop in the womb. The work of either or both therapies can invigorate a deep constitutional rebalancing that goes to the core of who we are on our human journeys.

Jean Bodeau, L. Ac., M. Ac., is an acupuncturist and craniosacral therapist in Anchorage. She is the owner of Moonstone Acupuncture and Healing Center, 308 "G" Street, Suite 309, Anchorage, telephone 243-5033.