CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY FAQ
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the Craniosacral System – comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Have questions about this method of therapy? Take at the top most frequently asked questions about CST answered here to learn more.
- 01
Infant feeding or sucking difficulties:
Difficult latch
Latch that contributes to sore/painful nipples for mom
Babies who only nurse well on one breast
Pre- & Post Tongue Tie Procedures
Fussy/ Hard to soothe
Digestive or elimination issues
Sleep Issues
Irregular head shape
Torticollis
Traumatic delivery, cesarean section, assisted delivery, fast (precipitous) or long (prodromal) delivery
Developmental delays
Motor Skill issues
Babies who hate Tummy Time
Acid reflux or Colic
Hypertonic- Seem tense or uncomfortable in their body
*this is not an exhaustive list, by any means
- 02
Sessions are performed fully clothed. Newborns and infant work can be done in any state or time of day for your baby, meaning, they can be awake, asleep, nursing, in quiet awake, getting ready for a nap, etc. I work in many different positions depending on what your baby needs. We could be on the floor, in Mom or Dad’s lap, while your baby is feeding, in my lap, walking around the room, bouncing on a ball- there are so many ways to work! I place my hand on different parts of your baby’s body, feeling for restrictions & apply a small amount of pressure to facilitate the release. Some sessions include tummy time work and intraoral work with gloved hands.
I firmly believe in your baby’s bodily autonomy. I connect with your baby & establish trust, explain what I am doing to him/her, ask for permission & follow baby’s cues for when he/she needs a break or has had all the bodywork their system can handle for the day. I never force a baby to receive the work as doing so goes against the body’s very nature to protect itself or to release what it needs to release/ shift what it needs to shift.
For older babies, a session looks a lot like play. When your baby is connected, they are in a happy, trusting state and open to receiving bodywork. This means that their body is more likely to release & make the shifts that it needs to make in order to facilitate the desired changes. Many therapeutic exercises can be made into play so that your baby is getting the bodywork they need with positive, happy association.
Initial sessions are typically 60-75mins in length. Follow up sessions usually last between 45-50mins but I allow up to 60mins.
- 03
This varies on a case by case basis. The sooner after birth you can get bodywork for your Little One, the better. Babies respond to bodywork pretty quickly & if we are able to shift patterns before they become engrained, their body’s respond easily.
I like to see a baby at least 2 times, at minimum. For some issues, 2 visits are enough. Many times with feeding issues or torticollis/plagiocephaly issues, more visits will be needed. Also, the older your baby is, the likelihood that more than 2 visits will be needed, as patterns have established into habit.
I do provide parents with exercises that they can do at home with their baby that can facilitate the progress of a baby’s journey.
- 04
I am a big fan of pediatric specialized chiropractic care for babies. In conjunction with CST, babies make big progress in their healing journey! I also refer to OT when needed. I have a good practitioner referral list for other resources as well.
- 05
I mainly do home visits but I do also see babies in my office located at 390 Mass. Ave, Arlington, MA.
- 06
Home visits are $180/ session. In office visits are $140/ session.
For home visits, I accept cash, check or Venmo.
For in office visits, I accept cash, check, credit cards or Venmo.
- 07
I do not accept insurance but am happy to provide a superbill after our work together is completed so that you may submit to your insurance for reimbursement. You will need to check with your provider to see if they reimburse for these services if this is important to you.
- 08
CBD, Cannabidiol, is one of a hundred different plant cannabinoids found in the Cannabis Sativa L. plant species. The most commonly known cannabinoid from this plant is THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuanna. CBD, on the other hand, is not psychoactive, and has been found to have a wide range of potential health benefits. Since most marijuanna plants have a relatively low amount of CBD, usually owing to their high THC content, most CBD on the market comes from Hemp plants, which are now federally legal to grow since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill.
- 09
In the early 1990’s scientists discovered a system of receptors and naturally occurring molecules in the human body that mimics the molecular shape of plant cannabinoids and named it the endocannabinoid system. They also discovered that the presence of plant cannabinoids, such as CBD, can trigger our bodies natural endocannabinoid production and essentially help to turn on the endocannabinoid system to its full effect.
​
The main function of the endocannabinoid system is to maintain homeostasis between our various body systems. In other words, it exists to return us to biological harmony when we have gotten out of balance. Further study revealed that endocannabinoid receptors are present all throughout the body: in our brain and nerves, skin, immune system, bone, fat tissue, liver, pancreas, muscles, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, reproductive organs and intestinal tract. In each of these areas, the endocannabinoid system works to return the body to homeostasis and optimal functioning.
CBD, by stimulating our own endocannabinoid system, has been found to have an effect on a wide variety of body functions such as pain, memory, mood, appetite, stress, sleep, metabolism, immune function & reproductive function.
