Massage / Craniosacral Therapy
Your baby’s body developed in a contained, curved environment during pregnancy. As a result, areas of tension and asymmetry may be present at birth. We expect babies to unfurl after birth, but sometimes feeding can reinforce these patterns.
Because of this, we see the baby’s body as an essential part of supporting breastfeeding—and of supporting overall comfort and ease.
What is Craniosacral Therapy (CST)?
CST is a gentle, hands-on approach that uses light touch to assess and treat areas of tension or asymmetry that may be affecting feeding or contributing to discomfort. Its subtlety makes it particularly well-suited for infants.
Our CST Specialist Treats:
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Babies who seem tight, favor one side, or have a head or body that turns more easily one way than the other
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Preparation for your baby’s mouth and body before a tongue- or lip-tie release
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Support for healing and comfort after a tongue- or lip-tie release
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Pain during breastfeeding
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Babies who prefer one breast over the other
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Babies who arch, stiffen, or strain while feeding
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Babies who leak milk while feeding
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Babies who are refusing the breast
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Fussiness or discomfort during feeding
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Symptoms of colic or reflux
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Support with digestion and bowel patterns
and more!
Craniosacral Therapy Visits
CST for Babies or Parents
Your bodyworker uses a range of gentle, hands-on techniques to support both babies and parents. Depending on what you or your baby need, care may include craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, functional Bowen therapy, and other bodywork approaches.
During your session, your baby will be treated as a whole person, with attention to how their entire body is functioning, moving, and responding. While our bodywork care is primarily focused on infants, we also offer treatment for mothers when additional support is needed.
You may schedule an appointment directly for CST, or we may recommend it as part of a more comprehensive plan of care.
Other Types of Visits
Combined Visits
Mother’s Milk | Baby’s Body
If feeding is your primary concern, you may choose a combined visit where a lactation consultant and bodyworker work together with you and your baby. These visits allow both providers to support your baby and breastfeeding/bottlefeeding at the same time, helping move the process of change forward more quickly than when they are applied separately.
CST Techniques Are Used In
Advanced Lactation Support
CST techniques are integrated into our advanced lactation visits, but are viewed through the lens of lactation support. Sometimes you will see a distinct shift in focus to the baby’s body in these visits, and sometimes the techniques are integrated into the flow of general lactation support.
Our CST Therapist
Ayden Cox
Ayden Cox brings together years of experience and study in birthwork, massage therapy, and craniosacral therapy to help babies and parents move beyond patterns of tension and restriction.
Her work focuses on supporting the body's natural capacity for healing, creating the conditions for greater comfort, regulation, and feeding success.
Insurance
Although insurance does not reimburse for CST visits, you may be able to use an HSA or FSA card to cover the cost.
FAQ
What is the difference between CST and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)?
While both OMM and CST use light touch to release tension and address asymmetry, there are important differences. OMM is a medical approach that evaluates and treats the whole body, including all the various health systems (musculoskeletal, neurologic, lymphatic, circulatory, visceral, etc) to address underlying health concerns. CST focuses more specifically on supporting relaxation and symmetry within the muscles, fascia, and fluid systems.
You may choose osteopathy as a primary approach to supporting your baby’s body—or your own—or we may recommend it if more advanced care is needed.
Is there a price difference between an initial CST appointment and follow-up appointments?
No, the cost of the visit is the same every time.