Children who suffer from ADD/ADHD live life so very differently than ‘normal’ children. They struggle daily with focus issues, impulse control, and deal with social pressures. For these children, being viewed as ‘normal’ as they struggle internally can be a daily torture. There are many various types of therapy recommended to parents of these special children including drugs, behavioral therapy, and a little known massage therapy-craniosacral therapy.
Craniosacral refers to the whole spine from the cranium to the sacrum at the base of the spine. A series of three membranes surround the spinal cord and connect to the bones of the head. The circulation of cerebrospinal fluid within this system creates a pulsing rhythm. The membrane system holds and transfers tension throughout the body. This ‘flow’ is normal and natural, however for children who suffer all along the spectrum of autism and learning disabilities such as ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, theirs flows in a more jagged, backed up way.
A child’s brain with ADD or ADHD catalogs things quickly, processing at warp speed, which makes it difficult to know what they’re supposed to do or think, keeping them at a high level of stress and tension. Imagine clicking a ton of buttons on your computer expecting it to keep up, and it stops responding; there’s too much going on and it doesn’t know what to do first. This is what the brain of a child with ADD or ADHD experiences. Craniosacral therapy eases this tension and allows the brain to relax.
Craniosacral therapy can be used successfully with children who also suffer from migraines head injuries, autism, infantile disorders, motor-coordination problems, and many, many more.
‘The practitioner gently applies pressure to the sutures and skull (pressure is equal to the weight of a nickel) in an effort to alter the flow of cerebral spinal fluid to the brain and influence the central nervous system…. The bones of the skull are strong and the sutures are fused from a young age for our protection’ (source:adhdmomma.com).
Massage alone will not be the cure all for your child; there’s no one thing that works to cure ADD or ADHD. The term ‘It takes a village’ is true in the caretaker form just as it is in reference to therapy. Changing a child’s diet to comprise mostly of healthy foods free of additives may not be scientifically proven to relieve ADD and ADHD symptoms, but it’s not going to hurt the child to make healthier decisions. A combination of a few different types of therapy, and healthy eating habits will only help your child.
Have you tried different types of therapy for your child who suffers from any of the above mentioned learning disabilities? Share with us your thoughts and how craniosacral therapy has helped you!
