By Katie Stewart
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September 1, 2021
Birth is an intense process even when everything seemingly goes well. Babies can develop tension patterns, head turn preferences, or they can seem uncomfortable in their little bodies. This in turn impacts feeding, sleeping, bonding and digestion. Craniosacral Therapy is a safe and gentle therapy that uses light touch to ease areas of tightness or restriction in the connective tissue of the body. The treatment calms the nervous system and helps to promote optimal shape, movement and function of the head, spine, and body. Pediatric Functional Bowen™ is a form of very gentle release that uses a light strumming or rolling movement on the musculature derived from the traditional Bowen Therapy Method developed by Tom Bowen, an Australian Osteopath. Both applications promote “less is best” and support the theory that “the body improves its own regulatory processes best”. Pediatric Functional Bowen™ Therapy is a specifically focused muscle balancing application for the areas of body involved in structure‐function imbalances. It specifically promotes functional mobility of the musculature while it gently promotes balance and symmetry of the body. Breastfeeding difficulties and or feeding dysfunctions are prime examples of what it can successfully address. When is Craniosacral Therapy and Bodywork a Good Idea? Asymmetrical head shapes or face/jaw Torticollis and head turn preferences Medically-assisted birth (forceps, vacuum) or birth trauma/injury Breastfeeding difficulties Digestive issues (constipation, vomiting, excessive spit-up, reflux, colic) Before/after procedures (tongue-tie clipping, other medical procedures) Congenital or neurological problems