What is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy?
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
BSCT is a gentle, hands-on technique that works with the craniosacral system, the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. By using light touch, without any manipulation, therapists can assess and release tensions in the body, helping to restore balance and encourage healing. It is non-invasive, the patient remains fully clothed and lies on a massage table.
The approach is based on listening to the body's rhythm and detecting any blocks rather than channelling any external energy. The therapist creates a space for the body to come back into alignment and restore balance.
BCST supports all the body’s systems including the nervous system, fascia, blood, muscles, organs and embraces their interconnectedness. By working with the body’s natural rhythms, BCST promotes balance and healing, enhancing overall well-being.
This will achieve a state of relaxation and well-being, which in turn supports the body's natural healing process.
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Benefits
1. Physical pain and tension
BCST can help alleviate chronic pain, muscle tension, and joint stiffness, especially in areas like the back, neck, and shoulders.
2. Headaches and migraines
The therapy is often effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines.
3. Stress and anxiety
By promoting deep relaxation, BCST helps to reduce stress and anxiety, supporting emotional regulation and overall mental well-being.
4. Trauma and emotional blockages
BCST can assist in processing and releasing stored trauma, both physical and emotional, leading to a sense of emotional release and healing.
5. Sleep disturbances
The relaxation induced by BCST may improve sleep quality and help with insomnia.
6. Post-surgical recovery
BCST supports recovery from surgery by enhancing the body's ability to heal itself and release scar tissue or residual tension.
7. Digestive issues
Tension in the body can contribute to digestive problems, and BCST can help in addressing these by promoting balance in the nervous system.
8. TMJ disorders
For those suffering from jaw tension or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, BCST can help relieve pain and discomfort.
9. Improved overall wellness
Many people seek BCST for its general benefits in improving health, energy levels, and emotional clarity.
Overall, BCST is used as a gentle, holistic approach to support the body in healing, relieve tension, and promote emotional and physical well-being.
How does BCST help Mothers and Babies?
How BCST can help during pregnancy
BCST offers gentle, non-invasive support to help mothers-to-be navigate this journey with greater ease and connection. Here’s how:
1. Eases Physical Discomfort
Pelvic Alignment: BCST helps release tension in the pelvis, hips, and spine as your body adapts to your growing baby.
Reduces Sciatica & Back Pain: By addressing fascial restrictions and nerve compression it alleviates common pregnancy aches.
Enhances Circulation: Supports optimal blood flow to the uterus and placenta, promoting baby’s nourishment.
2. Calms the Nervous System
Regulates Stress Responses: Activates the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
Balances Hormones: Gentle work with the endocrine system helps stabilise mood swings and fatigue.
3. Prepares for Labor & Delivery
Pelvic Floor Release: Softens tissues and improves pelvic mobility, supporting an easier birthing process.
Baby Positioning: Releases tension in the uterus and ligaments, encouraging optimal fetal positioning.
How Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Supports Babies
1. Relieving Birth-Related Tension
Birth can be a physically demanding process for babies. A difficult labour, a long labour, use of forceps, or vacuum-assisted delivery can cause tension in a newborn’s body, especially the head, neck, and spine. CST works gently to release this tension, helping to alleviate discomfort and promote alignment. This can improve the baby's ability to feed, sleep, and regulate their nervous system effectively.
2. Improved Feeding and Latching
Newborns who experience difficulties with breastfeeding often have issues with their jaw, neck, or cranial alignment. CST can help correct these misalignments, allowing for more effective latching and feeding, which benefits both the baby and mother.
3. Support for Colic and Digestive Discomfort
Long or complicated births can result in physical stress that affects the baby’s digestive system. CST helps to ease tension in the stomach and intestines, supporting better digestion and providing relief from conditions such as colic, reflux, and constipation. Babies often experience less discomfort and cry less frequently after receiving CST.
4.Reducing Sleep Disturbances
After a challenging birth, some babies experience sleep difficulties due to discomfort or unsettledness. CST promotes deep relaxation and helps to regulate the baby’s nervous system, often resulting in more peaceful and consistent sleep patterns.
5.Helping with Cranial Deformities
Babies who are born with positional cranial deformities such as flat head syndrome can benefit from BCST. The therapy helps release tension in the skull and neck, allowing the head shape to improve naturally over time.
How BCST Benefits Mothers After a Long or Difficult Birth / Childbirth Trauma
1.Postpartum Recovery
After a long or physically taxing birth, mothers often experience aches and pains in their back, pelvis, and neck. BCST helps release muscle tension, promote realignment, and speed up recovery by enhancing circulation and tissue healing. The therapy also supports the release of any residual tension in the body from the stresses of labour and delivery.
2. Pelvic Health Support
For mothers who experience pelvic pain, vaginal tearing, episiotomy or caesarean section scars, can help in addressing pelvic floor dysfunction and tightness in fascia and ligaments. It helps relieve pain, reduce scar tissue restrictions, and enhance the flexibility of the pelvic region.
3. Emotional and Mental Well-being
The birth process can be emotionally intense, especially if there were complications. BCST not only works to release physical tension but also supports emotional healing. The therapy helps calm the nervous system, reducing symptoms of postpartum anxiety, stress, and depression.
4.Enhanced Bonding with Baby
After a challenging birth, new mothers often need time to reconnect with their babies, especially if the experience was traumatic or if the baby experienced health challenges. BCST offers a peaceful, nurturing space for mothers to bond with their newborns. The calming effects of the therapy can promote bonding and enhance the mother-baby connection.
5. Promotes Hormonal Balance
The postpartum period is characterised by hormonal fluctuations, which can impact a mother’s physical and emotional well-being. BCST helps to balance the hormonal system by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and supporting the body’s natural recovery processes.
As a midwife, I’ve seen the positive impact of BCST on both mothers and babies after difficult births. Whether it’s relieving tension in newborn BCST offers a gentle solution for supporting both immediate and long-term well-being. For those who have had long, complicated, or traumatic births, including BCST into the care plan can make a significant difference in the recovery and healing process.
During my time working in the labour ward of St Mary’s Hospital in London, we consistently recommended Craniosacral Therapy for mothers and babies, especially following a long or difficult birth.
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy in Dublin
I’m delighted to offer BCST for mothers and babies at Little Roo, Blackrock.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, feel free to reach out.
You can book a discovery call or schedule a session with me click the link below.