Welcome to PPL's Cranial Sacral Info
What is CST?
Cranio-sacral therapy involves the practitioner using his or her hands to examine the patient's cranium--paying attention to the pulsing fluid that surrounds the brain, spinal cord, and sacrum. This pulsing is called the cranial rhythm. An abnormal rhythm signals tension and cranial pressure. In cranial-sacral therapy, the therapist gently manipulates tissue to restore normal rhythm .
CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of the craniosacral system in the body. Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the fascial system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system and musculoskeletal system. CST is an safe, non-invasive modality used to improve tissue mobility and function, enhance cranial nerve function and is effective for a wide range of medical problems.
How do babies benefit from CST?
Experiences during gestation and delivery can produce changes in the newborn that can be addressed with CST. Positioning in utero can affect development/alignment of muscles and bones. During childbirth, the baby can have compressions of the spine and base of skull due to a prolonged or difficult delivery that can compromise the Central Nervous System. Babies who have trouble with initial sucking, colic or breathing problems may be exhibiting compression of some cranial bones/nerves. Babies who are difficult to calm may benefit from simple treatment that relieves compressions or restrictions.
Torticollis, (head tilt or turn to one side), is one of those conditions where CST can help unwind torsion in the spine and allow for balance and alignment of the head and neck.
Plagiocephaly, (flat areas on head), can be relieved by releasing the sutures that have become restricted allowing the head to grow into it’s natural, balanced shape.
Tongue-tie, lip-tie or tethered oral-tissue is another issue that CST can help with.
When the connective tissue under the tongue and/or lip is too tight, it causes restrictions in movement that can make breastfeeding very challenging. Tongue and/or lip tie can interfere with the breastfeeding relationship causing poor latch/inability to latch, fatigue during feeds, poor weight gain, clicking during a feed or maternal nipple pain/damage.
CST uses gentle, soft tissue manual therapy techniques to help maximize baby's tongue function and improve breastfeeding. Sometimes with just a few sessions, babies will eat, sleep, and rest easier. Change is made quickly with newborns using the gentle and non-invasive techniques of CranioSacral Therapy.
Reasons to treat an infant with CST
- Breast Feeding Difficulties
- Tongue Tie
- Plagiocephaly
- Torticollis / Tight neck
- Fast / Slow Birth
- Birth Injury
- Colic
- Crooked Nose / Face
- Forceps, Vacuum, C-Section Delivery
- Breathing Difficulties
- Shoulder Dystocia
Meet Avadhan Larson
My name is Avadhan Larson, and I have been offering CranioSacral Therapy for adults, children and infants since 1987…If you are a new Mom, most likely since before you were born! ;)
I began my career as an acupuncturist, after studying pre-med at Boston College. In 1985 I began to hear about CranioSacral Therapy, which is an offshoot of a form of western medicine called Osteopathy, which has its origin in the USA at the time of the Civil War. In 1987 I finally had the opportunity to take my first post-graduate seminar in CST and immediately fell in love with both its gentle, non-invasive touch, and its paradoxical healing power. Over the next few years I gradually phased out acupuncture from my practice and began practicing CST exclusively. In 1993 I became an instructor of CST for the Upledger Institute in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. and for 32 years I have taught CST to health professionals all over the world.
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle but powerful modality for all ages, but for babies, here are some of its most important benefits: it balances your baby’s autonomic nervous system after birth, promoting better digestion, elimination, relaxation and most importantly, easier bonding between you and your baby.
It eases nursing difficulties by encouraging relaxation of your baby’s connective tissue, or fascia. Due to gestational positioning, or the stresses of birth, baby’s bodies can become tight and restricted, often evidenced by their bodies curving in one direction when lying supine on the changing table or bassinet, or by a chronic head and neck tilt, or asymmetrical cranial bones. These tension patterns can lead to latching difficulties and inefficient suck patterns, causing your baby to work harder and burn more calories while feeding, or causing you significant discomfort while nursing. Often these tension patterns include the oral tissues of the tongue and jaw, evidenced by jaw recession, open mouth during relaxation or sleep, and poor tongue range of motion, again leading to latching and nursing challenges.
CranioSacral Therapy addresses all these issues and more, in a gentle and non-invasive way. Improvements are usually observed immediately after a treatment, but then continue to integrate and deepen over the next few days.
Avadhan Larson CST-D, RCST, SEP
The Center for Well Being, LLC
719-937-7722
avadhan@LarsonWellBeing.com
www.larsonwellbeing.com
719-937-7722
Meet Mary Ann Tarby
I am an Occupational therapist with over 32 years experience, and a licensed Massage therapist for 23 years. During this time I have treated a wide variety of clients from 1 day old to 100 years of age! I have a passion for healing my patients and have extensive training in a variety of modalities. My training includes Myofascial release (John Barnes), CranioSacral therapy (Upledger) , Lymph Drainage massage, deep tissue, and visceral manipulation.
My goal with treatment is to listen to my clients and treat their whole essence (body, mind, spirit) to assist them in reaching their goals.
I have had extensive experience treating pre/post surgical patients , orthopedic conditions, neurological conditions, anxiety, stress related conditions, chronic pain, MVA trauma recovery, and much more.
Everything in our bodies is wrapped with connective tissue, also known as fascia.
It is its own system, and the mind is just not in your head, but it’s in the connective tissue system which holds trauma and emotions.
Birth in itself is traumatic and babies might have something to say about their birth, which is being held tight in their fascia .
The fascia anatomy is widespread, including pelvic floor, respiratory diaphragm, thoracic inlet, and occipital base. The cranial bones can also be compressed. All these planes need to be released so that everything off of them and also the cranial rhythm, is moving well in the body.
The Cranial Sacral technique involves stretching tight areas gently so that the body can get in those areas with blood and oxygen, and rehydrate the area so it can loosen and expand like it should.
Mary Ann Tarby OTR, LMT
Sandersoul
719-212-4160
Meet Beth Keller
Beth is a passionate practitioner, dedicated to promoting the physical, emotional and spiritual health and well-being of those she is privileged to treat in her holistic bodywork practice. She works with babies through adults.
Beth has specialized training in CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release through the Upledger Institute, She is a certified teaching assistant for the Institute. Beth has specialized training in Lymphatic Drainage-she has taken LDT1, LDT2 and LDT3; Brain Therapy, and Heart Centered Therapy through the Chikly Health Institute,
Beth comes to her holistic body work practice with a Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Illinois State University in Normal, IL.
CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release, and Lymph Drainage Therapy are at the center of her holistic bodywork practice.
“My passion is to help people become the best version of themselves, to achieve a mental clarity that they have not been able to achieve on their own. I am also passionate to help people who have gone through trauma to experience healing, find hope, and uncover joy in their lives.”
Beth Keller LMT
Sacred Rhythms Bodywork LLC
719-602-0416
SacredrhythmsBodywork@gmail.com
Meet Mishea Mueller
RiseOptimalLiving
Mishea comes to Cranial Sacral Work through the Chiropractic lens.
Chiropractic has been a major part of Dr. Mishea’s life since the day she was born. Her father, being a chiropractor, gave her her first adjustment at just minutes old. What inspired her to become a chiropractor was her experience in her father’s practice. She started working as his chiropractic assistant at the age of 15. She witnessed miracle after miracle walk through his office. She had an overwhelming feeling at a young age that this was her life-calling. From that point, she never looked back. She completed her Bachelors of Science at Life University and was Valedictorian of her Doctorate class at Life University.
She specializes in pediatrics, pregnancy, and postpartum.
She has obtained special training through the ICPA program and cranial training through the Peak Potential Institute.
Mishea L. Mueller, DC
- Location. Colorado, Colorado Springs, United States.
- (740) 360-7918.
- http://www.riseoptimalliving.com/
- Rise Optimal Living. 8 S 25th St. Colorado Springs, CO 80904-3079.
Meet Sibyl Bence
Active Chiropractic Wellness Center
Sibyl comes to Cranial Sacral Work through the Chiropractic lens
Dr. Sibyl Bence Pauser grew up in a chiropractic family, where she learned early on the impact gentle, hands-on care can have on health and quality of life. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with honors from Oakland University, and later her Doctorate o f Chiropractic from Life University. For more than five years she served patients in Michigan before relocating to Colorado, where she continues her family’s legacy of compassionate chiropractic care.
Her training includes certification in the Webster Prenatal Technique, Birth Doula certification, Dry Needling, and Craniosacral Therapy. She is also a supporting member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. Each credential reflects her passion for caring for women, children, and families at every stage of life.
Dr. Sibyl’s care philosophy is simple: the body is designed to function beautifully when stress and interference are removed. She partners with patients on their wellness journey, empowering them with tools and knowledge to express true health.
2790 N Academy Blvd, Suite #110
Colorado Springs, CO 80917
Call or Text Us
(719) 636-3080