Why You Should Pay For Craniosacral Therapy
If you've ever had someone recommend craniosacral therapy (CST) for your baby, you might have wondered—what exactly is it, and is it worth paying for? With so many therapies and treatments available, it can be hard to know what will truly make a difference. But here’s why CST is worth the investment.
1. It Supports the Nervous System Like Nothing Else
Craniosacral therapy works directly with the nervous system, using gentle hands-on techniques to help release tension and improve the glide of fascia around every structure in the body. Sometimes you'll see your practitioners target cranial bones, but not always! This is especially valuable for newborns, who may experience compression or strain during birth. By supporting the nervous system in this way, CST can help with sleep, digestion, and overall regulation.
2. It Helps Babies Recover from Birth Trauma
Whether your baby was born via C-section, vacuum, forceps, or had a long or fast labor, birth can be a physically intense experience. CST can address tightness in the head, neck, and body, helping babies feel more at ease in their new world. Many parents report that their babies sleep better, cry less, and nurse more effectively sometimes even after the first session. However, for lasting and more profound improvements, multiple sessions are often recommended.
3. It Supports Feeding and Latch Issues
For babies struggling with breastfeeding—whether due to a shallow latch, tongue tie, or tension from birth—CST can be a game-changer. By gently releasing restrictions in the jaw, neck, and cranial bones, it can improve a baby’s ability to open wide, coordinate sucking and swallowing, and latch more comfortably.
4. It’s Gentle, Non-Invasive, and Baby-Led
Unlike some therapies that require forceful stretching or manipulation, CST is incredibly gentle. The practitioner follows your baby's cues, never forcing movement. This makes it a perfect option for even the most sensitive babies (and their anxious parents!)
5. It Can Help with Colic, Reflux, and Digestive Issues
If your baby is fussy, gassy, or struggling with reflux, CST can help regulate the vagus nerve—an essential player in digestion. Many parents find that after a few sessions, their baby is more comfortable, gassiness decreases, and reflux symptoms improve. (Colic just means your baby is unhappy and we don't know why... but that's a blog for another day)
6. It Requires More Than Just One Session
While one free CST session might give you a glimpse of its benefits, true, lasting results often require consistency. Babies respond best when CST is done in a series, typically twice a week for a few weeks, especially when addressing feeding difficulties, birth trauma, or significant tension. Regular sessions allow for deeper release of restrictions and better integration of changes, leading to more noticeable and long-term improvements.
7. It Promotes Long-Term Well-Being
Investing in CST early on can have lasting benefits. By ensuring the body is aligned, the nervous system is balanced, and tension is released, CST helps lay the foundation for better movement patterns, sensory processing, and overall development.
Is It Worth It? Absolutely.
While CST may not be as widely known as other interventions, the results speak for themselves. Whether you’re navigating feeding struggles, sleep issues, birth recovery, or just want to support your baby’s optimal development, CST is a powerful, research-supported therapy that can make a significant impact.
When you pay for craniosacral therapy, you’re not just paying for a session—you’re investing in your baby’s comfort, health, and well-being. And that’s something truly priceless.
Yes- I'm completely biased as a CST provider!! If you’re curious about CST and want to see if it’s a good fit for your baby, reach out! We’d love to help.
Love,
Emily
