Benjamin Shield, Ph.D.

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Pediatric Craniosacral Therapy

The treatment of infants and children is one of the most important aspects of health care, and Pediatric Cranial Therapy is foundational to this care. For decades, the treatment of infants and children was relegated behind that of adults. In recent times, Pediatric Cranial Therapy practitioners have proved this work’s importance and refined its theory and technique.

Why is it so essential to treat children? An osteopath recently answered this question with this simple statement: “When we look at a child, we never know who or what that child can be. And when we look at an adult, we never know who or what that individual could have been.”

Life has its challenges, and few are more significant than the birth process itself. Every birth has its story, and even what may appear to be the simplest of births may create significant lifelong impacts on both the child and family.

This is true, as well, for the stages of childhood. Pediatric Craniosacral Therapy utilizes simple and effective therapeutic techniques to help normalize the child’s structure, balance the nervous system, and resolve traumatic issues of the birth and childhood experience.

Dr. William Sutherland, the founder of Cranial Osteopathy, had a favorite saying. To paraphrase, “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.” An injury, whether seemingly minor or alarmingly significant, has the potential to impact an individual for their entire life.

If we can treat an individual early in life, we can prevent or resolve many conditions that can detract from who and what that individual can be. Early intervention with Pediatric Craniosacral Therapy can positively affect developmental, structural, sensory, learning, behavioral, and personality disorders.

I am often asked if every child has a clinical problem and if every child needs to be treated. I answer that not every child needs to be treated, but every child should have the benefit of evaluation. Often, evaluation becomes treatment. Moreover, the therapeutic techniques of Pediatric Craniosacral Therapy are not only to treat clinical problems but also to enhance the lives of infants and children.

This work is child-centered. Establishing trust and safety is primary before we can do anything clinical with our hands. This is crucial because, very often, the child has lost the sense of this security, not only because of the forces of birth but often because of prior medical intervention that may have disturbed the sense of safety. By the time the child presents to the therapist, the child may not only have clinical conditions but also an apprehension due to past experiences. The goal is for the practitioner to meet and resonate with the child so that the child can optimally integrate the treatment. Pediatric Craniosacral Therapy not only brings out the best in the child but can bring out the best in those treating the child.

Children often cannot express what is wrong with them or how they feel during treatment. This is why the skillful therapist always looks for cues to ensure that their touch is nurturing, not intrusive and that the child can integrate the work and is not activated by it.

Children, even newborns, give us many cues to guide us in our work. They often show us when they deeply accept the work and can express to the therapist how it is best to work at any given moment.

The skilled therapist works not only with the infant but also with the family. Simultaneously maintaining the contact and bond with the child and family is an art. It is like Tai Chi: navigating moment-to-moment all of those in the room, what is needed, the changes that occur, and the feelings of what has occurred before the treatment. It is both a guiding of things to be and an allowing of things to happen.

It is my goal as a practitioner that this work is a positive light for both the child and the family.

Infants and children receive treatment for various conditions. For some conditions, the goal would be an improvement of symptoms. With other conditions, the goal would be a sense of greater comfort, a greater sense of ease, and a greater range of choices in structure, function, movement, and expression. These conditions include:

The Brain
Understanding, Evaluation and Treatment for the
Craniosacral Therapist

This course has been developed for Craniosacral Therapists who have wanted a course to thoroughly explain brain anatomy, brain function, as well as brain and behavioral disorders. The purpose of this course is to show how we, as Craniosacral Therapists, can have direct inroads into brain function and the facilitation of health.

Many Cranial Therapists understand that treating brain anatomy and function is crucial, along with treating bones, sutures, and membranes. Craniosacral Therapists are in a unique position to address these issues. This class is offered on a limited basis and may only be presented once. Craniosacral Therapists are encouraged to attend to expand their knowledge and abilities.

Brain waves and brain function can be entrained through external influences. We know that stimuli, such as music, as well as a toning sound, such as “om,” that is used in certain cultures, can affect brain activity and that there is a measurable effect on brain waves as a result. If sound can profoundly influence brain function, it is very possible that touch and manual therapy may have a direct influence. The purpose of this class is to begin the discussion and offer methods that we can incorporate in our work to facilitate improvement.

Some of the topics that will be covered are:

Brain Anatomy, including all-important areas of function, dysfunction, and possible treatment.

Brain Function & Biology including auditory and language processing, the impact of various hormones on cognitive function, the differences between the female and male brain in development and ageing, mirror neurons, neurotransmitters and hormones, pleasure and reward centers, and much more.

Brain Development of the fetus, infants, children, adolescents, and adults.

Behavioral dysfunctions & functions, including addictions of various natures (alcohol, drugs, thought, food, sex, work, etc.), abnormal fears, aggressiveness and violence, anger, anxiety, attention deficit disorder (including hyperactivity), bipolar disorder, concentration, dementia, depression, hallucinations, impulsiveness, the nature of memory, nervousness, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders, paranoia, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and Tourette’s Syndrome.

Physical & Genetic Manifestations including autism, biological clock disorders, brain injury, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, dyslexia, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, libido, Seasonal Affective Disorder, sleep disorders and stroke.

Brain Plasticity and discussion of Cortical Mapping and Re-mapping.

Effect of various medications, recreational drugs, and the practice of meditation.