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Jackie Earl Blog

CranioSacral Therapy for Children

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) for children can positively affect developmental, structural, sensory,learning, behavioural and personality disorders.

Children are generally very sensitive and responsive to this type of work, their bodies respond quickly and they often experience relief of symptoms after a couple of sessions. However, every child is unique and in my clinical experience I have found that on average, lasting effects occur usually after 4-6 treatments.

Creating an environment that feels safe for your child is paramount and the initial appointment is 60 minutes long where I will work to create a connection and rapport with your child, addressing them directly, chatting about things they like, showing them the park outside my window, letting them work out the buttons on my treatment couch that move it up and down !

I will explain to them in an age appropriate way what I’m going to do and why and also let them know that if they want me to stop then I will, they need to feel safe and listened to .

I always advise a telephone consultation with me before the treatment so you can talk openly about your child’s issues, without them listening, then on the day I can mostly address them.

Usually children over 7 will lay down on the treatment couch, either having a story read to them or listening to some music. Younger children are often in various positions on the couch, on parents lap on or the floor, I follow them ! I always recommend bringing their favourite toys, books, blanket, teddy etc. so they can be distracted a little and allow me to work. As you can see in the photo I do have a variety of toys which I will introduce if needed.

Usually I get to be hands on for between 20-30 minutes, where I will tune in to their CranioSacral rhythm, find areas of restrictions and gently support the body in releasing them which allows the child to feel more relaxed and experience an easing of symptoms.

Children often respond to this release by yawning, getting sleepy or laughing and becoming more playful.

A follow up session is 30 minutes long and most of that time will be hands on as we will have established a relationship.

I love working with children, I love their energy and their honesty. Please don’t worry if they don’t talk or look at me, turn upside down in the chair, appear to be rude or talk incessantly, don’t stay still on the couch, it’s my job to connect with them and it helps if you stay relaxed and don’t feel under any pressure.

I hope this insight helps, I’m also available for a free, no obligation 20 minute telephone call if you have any more questions please give me a call 07757745392

Jackie Earl | February 2023
Jackie Earl Blog

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY FOR BABIES

CST for Babies Making the transition from the womb to the world can be tough on babies. Newborns can face challenges like tongue tie, poor latch for sucking, colic, wind, constipation, reflux, trouble sleeping, irritability, restlessness, irregular head shape, flat spots (Plagiocephaly) or tension in the neck and shoulders from head held to 1 side (torticollis).

Many of these issues could be a result of birth interventions such as vacuum extraction, forceps, or caesarean section. Also induction of labour, being stuck during labour, premature birth/stay in special baby care unit or just the transition from the womb to the world can be tough and stressful. I have found that many babies can actually be helped gently and naturally with craniosacral therapy (CST).

CST can help a baby find more ease within their systems, but it also helps new parents as they find their way in their new roles as mother and father. Bonding and attachment increase when the new babies and their parents can find more comfort in their new way of life.

My job as a craniosacral practitioner is to aid in the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. A person’s cerebral spinal fluid fluctuates, like a tide, from the cranium of the head down the spinal column and back up, but also throughout the entire body. It is a dynamic system and the movement of the fluid is connected to the health of every individual.

If the cerebral spinal fluid of an individual is not flowing with ease, it can cause some of the issues listed above. You might think of as gridlock versus smooth flowing highway driving.

For babies, undue stress or strain from fetal positioning, the birth, or other events can cause restrictions in the flow. When these restrictions are released, there is ease in the nervous system and multiple other aspects of physical functioning. Movement in the body and throughout the whole organic system of the human body functions in harmony when the cerebral spinal fluid is moving with ease.

During an appointment, I will ask about conception, pregnancy, birth and the immediate postnatal period. Then I will use my hands to “listen,” or palpate, the babies tissues and membranes to determine if the cerebral spinal fluid is experiencing restrictions. There is a specific flow to it that can be palpated by skilled practitioners. There is not stretching or rotation — the movement is from deep within, at the cerebral spinal level. It’s more like tracking and deep shifts, but at subtle, yet profound levels.

I will also tune into babies nervous system to see if they are stuck in an activated sympathetic state I.e. ‘fight or flight’ as a reaction to a traumatic birth and will gently help them to release any associated physical or emotional symptoms to allow them to be in the parasympathetic state of ‘rest and digest’.

An initial session for a baby will last approximately 60minutes, a lot of the time will be listening to Mum tell of her birthing experience, building a rapport with baby and then hands on treatment for baby and often Mum too. This first session is all about creating a sense of safety for Mum and Baby so that their Nervous Systems are calm and relaxed for me to start treating. Follow up sessions are usually 30-40 minutes.

The number of treatments for a specific issue may vary depending on the depth of the restriction. Results from treatments can take 1-3 days, as this technique is a holistic whole body treatment that works slowly, gently and deeply. The bones, cartilage, tissues, fluids, membranes, and fascia, and brain, all respond releasing constrictions. CST isn’t always a quick fix, on average I find after 1-4 sessions there is a noticeable improvement of any presenting symptoms. Babies are fully clothed for their sessions and are often treated in Mums arms, during a feed or laying on their back. We often will take a break if baby needs a nappy change or just a cuddle with Mum and I have rattles and a few interesting toys to gain their attention but you are welcome to bring anything from home, often a blanket or ‘cuddly’ is comforting for Baby as it smells familiar. Craniosacral therapy treatments use a very light touch and there are no adverse side effects.

Please get in touch if you would like to try this amazing treatment for your baby or give me a no obligation phone call to ask any further questions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Jackie Earl | July 2022
Jackie Earl Blog

LISTEN

“Genuine listening requires that you willingly bare witness to what someone else needs to say while simultaneously sparing them of your own solution, defence, dismissal, alternative, reality, rebuttal, counterpoint, comparable story or more extreme example.

This kind of listening is a very “active” part to play in a conversation.

You have to believe for those moments that none of the things you might say could possibly be as valuable as hearing someone out.

You may need to employ every ounce of your strength of character to actually pay attention and not butt-in with your own bit.

That kind of attention paid to another is powerful medicine.” Gil Hedley

I absolutely love this quote and try my best to adhere to it in my CranioSacral Therapy Clinic. In life with friends and family I try but it is definitely more of a challenge!

So many of my clients come to me after an exhausting round of Doctors, Specialists etc, they have tests, scans and medications but their chronic back pain, chronic neck pain, pelvic pain, stress, anxiety (to name a few) is still having a huge negative impact on their lives.

I always recommend a longer 90 minute initial appointment where I allow you to tell me your story and I try my best to listen. This then continues during the session on the body using my ‘listening’ hands.

This allows for feelings to arise, to be borne witness to, without judgement, without advise, for tears to be shed, to allow you to discover the answers by yourself.

I believe the answers are within you, the pain is the messenger. CranioSacral Therapy will help you to gently, slowly, safely explore what is happening in your body to find the underlying cause of your chronic back pain, chronic neck pain, pelvic pain,stress, anxiety. It all starts with listening.

If you would like more information on how CranioSacral Therapy can help you please get in touch, I offer a free no obligation 20 minute discovery call .

Jackie | November 2022
Jackie Earl Blog

What Is Craniosacral Therapy??

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a very effective light touch treatment that works with the whole body and the sources of pain and dysfunction simultaneously.

CST was developed by Dr.John Upledger and is based on sound anatomical principles that come from Osteopathy.

During a session you will lay fully clothed on a comfortable massage couch and I will use my hands to feel the CranioSacral rhythm which is another rhythm in the body along with breathing and the heartbeat. Areas where the rhythm is quiet can indicate “stuck”places in the body, which could be a contributory factor in your pain and dysfunction.

When held with a light touch, this area of the body may relax and soften allowing the body to heal.

How Can It Help Me?

CST can help you feel relaxed. The safe, gentle touch used has a powerful effect, we have many nerve endings in our skin that are designed specifically to respond to touch. When we are touched in a supportive, non- invasive way, we relax and when the body is relaxed it can heal more easily.

CST can help with numerous conditions to release restrictions that cause pain and dysfunction.

Due to the fact that it works with the Central Nervous System, which effects all parts of the body and mind, the techniques can be effective in treating the entire body.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

There is no rule as to how many sessions it will take for any particular problem; it can vary from client to client. Generally speaking, the longer and more complex your issue, the more sessions you will need.

Also, clients who have good overall health tend to respond more quickly than those whose health is depleted.

Most of my clients tend to feel “different “ after 2-3 sessions.

I Didn’t Feel Much, Why Not?

CST is a gentle, subtle, non-invasive therapy so you will not feel much. The pressure used is no more than 5 gms.

When treating you my intention is not to provoke your tissue guarding mechanism, which tightens your body, but to use a light touch, which creates a feeling of safety that, allows your tissues to relax and release.

You may feel subtle signs of release e.g. heat, heavy sigh, tummy gurgles, this signifies that some change has taken place.

I find that some of my clients feel nothing during the session but notice a few days later that their pain has eased.

I hope this has helped a little with your understanding but of course the best way is to try a treatment for yourself, I hope to see you soon.

Jackie Earl | 5th August 2020
Jackie Earl Blog

How can CST help me ?

I get so caught up in explaining the theory/anatomy after years of studying I forget that most clients have switched off and are just wondering how on earth CranioSacral Therapy (CST)can help them !

So here are some benefits that my clients have shared with me:

1.CST can help lower your stress levels, easing anxiety, allowing you to feel more in control and generally in a much happier mood.

2.CST can help reconnect you with your body, it can ease your tight muscles and soothe your aches and pains.

3.CST can help free up any stuck emotional feelings allowing you to feel freer and calmer.

4.CST is time for you, just you, to be truly listened to, without judgment and this can feel amazing!

5.CST helps you to get back to doing what you love in your life before your pain and discomfort took over.

Hope that helps ??

Jackie

Jackie Earl | October 2022
Jackie Earl Blog

Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014

I have just returned from an amazing experience working at the games as a sports massage practitioner. I was based in the Athletes Medical room for Netball at the SECC venue and worked as part of the medical team which consisted of doctors, nurses and physios. We provided care for athletes and technical staff while they were at the venue, warming up and competing. The team doctors and physios would use our room if they needed to treat an athlete so you never knew who would be coming in next.

I spent most of my time treating the netball umpires pre and post event and post event massage for the netball players who would come in a whole team at a time so physios would all jump in to help.

A highlight for me was when I was massaging one leg while the teams physio was doing the other leg and the athlete asked her to do what I was doing ! Another of our duties was to provide care if needed for the gymnasts who were warming up in the hall next to our medical room, they enjoyed loud up tempo sounds as they prepared so the background music for my treatments was slightly different to my usual choice !

We were also responsible for medical cover on field of play and due to black spots where the walkie talkies didn’t work, a “runner” was needed as well as doctor and physio, and I filled that role taking turns with the nurse so we worked half a game each. Every day before shift we would have spinal board practice so we were ready if a casualty happened, luckily this was never needed.

After my field of play duty during the England v Barbados game I checked my phone and had loads of messages from family and friends who had seen me on TV, fame at last, my lovely brother even tweeted a picture ! (See my Twitter page @EarlJackie)To add to my exposure that day a story was published in my local paper http://bit.ly/1nTZ6TZ Pin badges were the currency of the Games, athletes and their teams were exchanging their country pins and this is what I charged for a treatment ! By the end I had accumulated quite a few and I became aware of “pin envy” from those around me, coming home and seeing how much some of them are selling for on Ebay I now understand why !

Jackie Earl | 7th August 2014

Contact

Mob: 07757 745 392
Email: info@jackieearl.co.uk

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