Infant Craniosacral Therapy

Noelle with baby Cece at one week

Infant Craniosacral therapy is becoming increasingly popular due to its efficacy at treating a number of common ailments effecting newborns. As parents and practitioners see dramatic results, the demand has steadily been on the rise.  The holistic therapy is now common even in hospital settings. Craniosacral therapy, or CST, is very gentle and therefor perfect for young children.  There is never more than the weight of a nickel applied during a CST session.  It is a light touch therapy yet it delivers profound results. The process of coming into this world can be a rather traumatic one, and any number of complications can arise during gestation, birth and in the first few days or weeks of life.  Craniosacral therapy can help to resolve issues early on, so that early childhood development can progress healthfully and unimpeded. 

Who can benefit from Infant CST?

Babies! And their moms and dads, and sisters and brothers, and anties and uncles, and caregivers… because when baby is happy, everybody is happy!

What kinds of things can CST help with?

  • Tongue-tie

  • Lip-tie

  • Problems latching

  • One-sided breast feeding

  • Other issues with breast feeding

  • Tension in the muscles/tissues

  • Restrictions in movement

  • Torticollis

  • Colic

  • Digestive upset

  • Reflux

  • Vision / crossed eyes

  • Head-shape issues

  • Birth trauma, including forceps or emergency C-section

  • Hip clicks / other hip issues

  • Sleeping issues

  • Hip diplasia

  • Developmental delays

More about CST

Craniosacral Therapy is a subtle form of hands-on bodywork. It varies greatly from massage in that there is very little pressure applied to the body and the client remains fully clothed for the session. Craniosacral therapy (abbreviated CST) is oriented toward correcting imbalances present within the craniosacral system, which is made up of the central nervous system, the meninges, the cranium, spine, sacrum and the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord). The practitioner is able to detect imbalances present within the system by “listening” with the hands to the subtle fluctuations of the craniosacral system, which occur naturally as a result of the production and resorption of the cerebrospinal fluid.

There is a subtle yet detectable rhythm that is generated by the craniosacral system, and when the body goes through a trauma or endures certain conditions for long enough, it can cause inertia or patterns of stagnancy within the system. The practitioner works to gently free up the system and help it return to optimum functioning by applying very light pressure “in the direction of ease or the direction of effort,” following the directives of the very healing force of the body itself. The result of this unique therapy is profound and lasting relief from nagging, persistent patterns of pain, dysfunction and discomfort, as well as a boosted sense of well-being and more often than not an experience of deep relaxation that may continue for hours and days after.

Gently supporting the cranial bones as they orient to the midline and settle

About Noelle’s Training

Noelle completed her certification in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy through the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America in 2013.  This is a 2-year, 700-hr comprehensive professional training. Prior to that, Noelle completed several intensive courses with Carol Gray, Nurse Midwife, MamaSpace Yoga founder, and Craniosacral Instructor in Portland, OR.  Carol's specialty is working with infants. Noelle has gone on to assistant teach for Carol and she also works as a volunteer for the biennial Infant & Maternal CST Conference. Noelle is passionate about craniosacral therapy and the many benefits it offers for newborns and for the whole family. Infants tend to respond extremely very well to this gentle therapy, and results are typically very fast.