Beit Roga

CranioBalance and Infants

    How is CranioBalance relevant to infants?

    CranioBalance is a therapy that locates tension in the body and releases these tension points through soft-touch techniques.  The obvious question arises: where is there tension in infants?  They were just born!

    Every birth, even if it is relatively “easy” and not too long from the mother’s perspective, is still traumatic for the newborn.  Just think: the fetus floats in the amniotic fluid for nine months.  It is quiet and dark.  He sits happily under his mother’s heart, her heartbeat the comforting background noise of his world.  The temperature is always the same, and mom’s movements gently rock him.  Baby is calm and comfortable.  Then labor starts.  Suddenly there is pressure on this bubble he lives in.  This pressure slowly pushes him down, until his head enters a narrow tunnel.  Now serious intense pushes start, and in order for the fetus to pass this tunnel, the skull bones move subtly so the head can pass through most easily.  When the fetus comes out, now a newborn baby, there is air that is a different temperature, bright light, sharp noises unfiltered by the water of his previous world, and he no longer hears mother’s comforting heartbeat.  Under ideal circumstances, and when the newborn is comforted in mom’s arms, against her heart, with her soothing voice, the chances of the skull bones and soft tissue realigning properly are great.  However, there are situations when a slight restriction remains either in the bone alignment, or in the surrounding soft tissue.  We are talking here about millimeters – usually nothing visible to the eye.  The impact of these restrictions, however, can be significant for the newborn. 

    Let us consider now the added trauma that comes with non-routine births: vacuum births, use of forceps, Caesarean section, prolonged births, very fast births, prolonged pushing, or distress of the mother or infant during birth.  The chances now of restrictions being formed and remaining after birth are higher.  The significance of these restrictions is greater and their effects are more far-reaching.

    What are the effects of these restrictions? What do we see as the parents of these babies?  The symptoms caused by these tension points are familiar to most parents, we just weren’t aware of their cause. 

• Sleep Problems/Disturbances in Infants: The newborn who does not quiet easily, and has a difficult time falling asleep.  Infants who don’t sleep regular hours/on a schedule, and who don’t stay in deep sleep states for prolonged periods.  I.e. the baby whose parents complain that she just doesn’t sleep!  It takes 45 minutes to get her to sleep, then she wakes up when put down, or with the lightest disturbance.  When she does sleep, it is usually not for more than 20-30 minutes. 

• Reflux/Colic/Digestion Problems: Infants that cry after eating, have allergies to different formulas, and/or cry for long periods of time without calming down.  Newborns who suffer from gas (usually makes for a “fussy” baby who doesn’t want to be put down).

• Developmental Delays:  Babies who do not reach developmental milestones at the appropriate age.  For example, an infant that can not sit on his own at the appropriate age, or who goes from the army crawl (moving forward by using his forearms and wiggling his hips) straight to walking, and skips regular hand/knee crawling, for instance.

• Feeding/Speech Problems: Newborns who have difficulty latching on/nursing, making appropriate baby noises (coo, ga-ga, different vowel sounds), and/or difficulty learning to eat from a spoon at the appropriate age.  Sometimes referred to as “quiet” babies.

• Learning Disabilities in Toddlers and Children

• Behavioral Issues: Children with sudden outbursts of extreme bad behavior.  Often described as an “angry child”.  Children who have extreme tantrum behavior passed the usual age for tantruming.

• Extreme Emotions or a Depressed Emotional System:  Children with extreme emotional responses to certain triggers or children who appear apathetic to their surroundings.

• Allergies in Infants and Children

• Spectrum of Autistic Behaviors

 

    Where does CranioBalance come into the picture here?  CranioBalance Therapists can locate the source of the restriction(s).  By releasing the tension point(s), the source of the problem goes away, and so do the symptoms.  Even one treatment session can help prevent your infant from having future issues.  As therapists, we recommend that every infant receive one therapy session soon after birth to avoid the manifestations listed above, and to assess if any restrictions exist.  A parent does not yet need to see symptoms for a therapist to palpate the soft tissue or bony tension points.

 If you are a parent and do see one or more of the symptoms listed above in one or more of your children, this might all sound scary to you.  But we are not pointing out the problems here.  We are pointing to the SOLUTION.  The problems can be temporary, the solution permanent.  Life being so much easier can be just around the corner. 

    In the case where a tension point(s) exists, the therapist will recommend a course of treatment sessions.  Usually, positive results are seen after the first few sessions.  In some cases, follow-ups are required once every few weeks for several months to maintain the positive results of the treatments. 

    For more information, for details regarding treatments, and to see/hear firsthand what the treatment process is like, contact Devorah Harow, PT at beitroga@gmail.com or www.beitroga.com.