Mums and babies

It's a real privilege being able to work in this way to help mums and babies. Cranial techniques - such as those used in CST - are becoming well known for safely helping mothers during pregnancy and birth, and also for helping with problems that are not well catered for by normal medical interventions - such as baby colic. There is a growing body of research into the effectiveness of CST - e.g. see the Craniosacral Therapy Association Website, and the Craniosacral Research Blog.

The University Hospital in Graz, Austria has been using using Craniosacral Therapy (CST) as part of its treatment programme for premature babies since 1995, and this has been found to reduce length of hospital stay, and help in many other "minor" infant problems. A retrospective study to test the safety of CST as a treatment for premature babies (W Raith et al (2016) General Movements in preterm infants undergoing Craniosacral therapy: a randomised controlled pilot-trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 16:12. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-0984-5) found no evidence adverse effects - noting that "CST is Craniosacral therapy is one of the most careful and non-invasive therapies..."

CST is useful at all stages of pregnancy and postnatally, both for mums and for babies. It can be useful just to bring the baby in for a check-up if there has been any complication during the birth. Treatments for new mums are safe, respectful, comfortable, relaxing and can be carried out while you are fully dressed. There is no genital contact required, and skin contact is limited to the area of soft belly (though if you prefer I can also work on this area through clothing).

Possible areas where CST may help during pregnancy ...

• Fertility (I work in the Norwich Natural Fertility Partnership team)
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• Morning sickness, pubic symphysis pain, back pain and almost any other form of discomfort during any stage of pregnancy. Treatments are safe, gentle, respectful (I would normally prefer skin contact on "the bump" but this is not absolutely necessary, and otherwise you can remain fully dressed). You can come for treatment at any time during pregnancy.

Possible areas where CST may help after giving birth ...

• Optimising and speeding up postnatal recovery for the mother. This is particularly important, since the baby is minutely aware of the condition of the mother in the weeks immediately following birth. If you are comfortable and have fully recovered, the baby will feel that you are 100% and so will be far easier to settle.
• Any signs of unconsolable distress (including baby colic) & feeding problems, sleeplessness, and baby reflux.
• Floppy and generally unresponsive babies, or where the baby does not initiate eye contact.
• A range of other issues, including plagiocephaly (a flat or asymmetrical or mis-shaped head arising from evants during pregnancy and birth).

If you would like more information on specific conditions and treatments for new mothers and babies, see next page...