Home Visits:
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist Leah Morrison
Craniosacral Doula
917-412-0274
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist Lucie Mitchell
Cranio NYC
646-496-8951
Also available in her Brooklyn office
Manhattan:
Craniosacral and Massage Therapist, Katinka LoCascio
30 W 60th St Suite 1C, New York, NY 10024
646-926-6672
Chiropractor, Dr. Laura Roos
Central Park Wellness
279 Central Park West, Suite 1A, New York, NY, 10024
(212) 877-3981
Queens:
Chiropractor Dr. Lou Vella
21-76 Steinway St
Queens, NY 11105 (Astoria)
718-726-5454
Brooklyn:
Amy Berkman
Craniobaby Bk
craniobabybk@gmail.com
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist Lucie Mitchell
Cranio NYC
646-496-8951
Chiropractor Dr. Megan Hondru
105 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11249
Located Inside Grand Street Healing Project
347-746-1560
Chiropractor Andrea Auerbach
Park Slope Family Wellness
196 6th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Bergen & Hudson Counties:
Little Movers PT
Home Visits in Hudson & Bergen County
Elizabeth Morel
829 Stonewall Ct
Franklin Lakes NJ 07417
516-581-3223
littlemoverspt@gmail.com
Chiropractors Drs. Ventoso
341 Smith Road
Parsippany, NJ 07035
973-585-4415
Chiropractors Dr. Brayton & Alvarez
113 Monroe St
Hoboken, New Jersey 07030
201-792 3544
Physical Therapist Bella Kavalerchik
Bella Physical Therapy
39-40 Broadway
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
201-791-0008
Morris County:
Maria Parlapiano, RN., IBCLC., CFT
Postpartum Place
368 Main Street
Chatham, NJ 07928
973-701-0606
Central & South Jersey:
Chiropractors Dr. Sarah Roseberry & Sean Stewart*
Boardwalk Family Chiropractic
87 Union Ave
Manasquan, NJ 08736
502-802-0758
Totville, Occupational & Feeding Therapy and More
335 Route 9 South
Manalapan, NJ 07726
732 860 8100
Dr. Barry Gillespie
Craniosacral Fascial Therapy
Happy Baby Initiative
The King of Prussia Medical Center
491 Allendale Road
Suite 203
King of Prussia, PA 19406
610–265–2522
Virtual Visits:
Amy Berkman, OT/Craniosacral Specialist*
Jane Gatanis, OT/Craniosacral Specialist
Leigh Muro, OT/R, Cranial Sacral and Orthobionomy Specialist
What is bodywork? Body work is a general term which can include any of the following:
Typically, bodywork involve a range of manipulations – musculoskeletal, fascial, cranial visceral & manipulations.
About Musculoskeletal, Fascial, Cranial & Visceral Manipulations:
Viscera are the organs that are within our body cavities, e.g. abdominal and thoracic cavities. Visceral manipulation re-activates tonicity and communication between the organ and connective tissues. This in turn restores organs to natural health. As the human body is wholly connected by fascia, restoring flow in an organ affects other structures such as the spine where organs are attached via ligaments. Fascia are dense and irregular connective tissue structures (composed of water-based matrices that contain collagen fibers, cells etc.) found throughout the body – fascial mobility is important for each organ, vessel and muscle in the body. Further, fascia play a role in our immune system and receptor functioning which can be activated by light pressure stimuli and stretching in infants.
As the cranial system is developing in infants it involves many components – bones and cartilage of the skull, face, connective tissue, central nervous system (CNS), brain and spinal cord and cerebro spinal fluid (CSF). Cranial manipulations involve specific hand positions that restore joints motion within the cranial system to affect improved neurological, musculoskeletal, vascular and endocrine functions. Osteopaths (DOs)are most widely known for mastering these manipulations. For an infant, that will involve mild pressure and positioning along the baby’s head, neck, spine or other body parts. The end result can involve anything from loosening of tight muscles in the neck and jaw to allow for a larger range of motion or less discomfort to more gentle micromovements to assist in return to optimal function.
Services such as chiropractic care, craniosacral therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapists, and certain types of massage also utilize these manipulations. A range of professionals may offer these services: chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists, IBCLCs, DO/MDs, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapists
Why do bodywork for an infant? Bodywork can be recommended for various reasons. A few examples include assisted delivery such as complex presentation at birth or stuck position, torticollis, episiotomy, forceps, vacuum, difficulty latching, baby preferring head/body movement to one side only, TOT (lip/tongue/buccal ties), etc. Almost all infants need bodywork at some point in early life to adjust.
What is the goal of bodywork? A bodywork referral is often given to assist in baby’s ability to move their head, neck, jaw, or other body areas. The relaxation of areas such as the neck and jaw allow for baby to obtain a wider gape therefore a deeper latch to assist in optimal breastfeeding and transfer of milk.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for bodywork? Most practitioners accept patients/clients without a pediatrician referral, however, we always encourage you to keep your trusted pediatrician in the loop regarding care of your baby.
Will insurance cover the visit? That depends on the modality and practitioner you work with. Below are referrals you can look into to decide what is best for you.
Resources:
Book:
The Developing Infant by Annie Brook – optimal instruction on tummy time, baby handling & infant development
About craniosacral facial therapy infants:
https://www.gillespieapproach.com/birth-professionals/
https://www.gillespieapproach.com/gillespie-approach-craniosacral-fascial-therapy-articles/
Chiropractic Management of Breastfeeding Difficulties: A Case Report
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3259991/
The Impact of Craniosacral Therapy/Cranial Osteopathy on Breastfeeding
https://connect.springerpub.com/content/sgrcl/11/1/21
Adapted from www.vivalcenter.com courtesy of Katia Ghazi-Dahan, DO. (Fr), LMT.