**This information is for informational purposes only. It does NOT replace any advice or medications your baby's pediatrician has prescribed. I am not a medical doctor.
It is necessary to look at the child as a whole person and attempt to treat the underlying cause by providing the optimal environment for your child's brain to maximize function as well as help modulate the nervous system.
It is important to note that this is not a linear process. We are multi-faceted beings. Each component can affect another component. For example, bodywork and manual therapy can affect a child's emotional well-being etc.
1. Metabolic/Physiological component: quality filtered water (the brain is 80% water), air purification, proper nutrition and supplements. Children may also need to go through a detoxification process to rid the body of accumulated toxins that may be impacting their health and brain development. Neurologically compromised children are more sensitive to toxins. Hyperbaric chambers or other oxygen therapies may be beneficial for more severe brain injuries or disorders to help the brain and nervous system rejuvenate.
2. Sensory/Motor Component: Sensory Integration (SI), therapeutic listening programs, and developmental movement therapy (NDT, brain gym. yoga etc) to improve processing and facilitate developmental milestones. The brain develops from movement, sensory stimulation, and proper nutrition.
3. Structural component: Manual therapy including craniosacral therapy and myofascial release, to free up restrictions in the connective tissue/craniosacral system that may be compromising neurological and physiological functioning. Life is motion. The body and brain should be able to move freely. Structural restrictions and imbalances may be a result of birth trauma, toxins, or accidents.
4. Energetic component: Homeopathy, acupuncture, energetic touch therapies, biodynamics, light and sound devices, kinesiology, as well as other types of energy medicine to help balance the energy system of the body. Energy medicine can also be used with a surrogate to help clear ancestral patterns that may be affecting your child's health. It Is also necessary to avoid excessive amounts of high frequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The energy body is probably the most neglected system. This will be the medicine of the future.
5. Functional skills component: While working on the first four components it is also necessary to work on functional skills acquisition with a skilled occupational therapist/physical therapist. If there is a behavioral problem, your child may also benefit from behavioral approaches like ABA to help gain function in the early stages of development.
It is important to address all the components to maximize function or results will be limited. This will vary according to the developmental level of each child. Once the systems are balanced it will be easier to work on functional motor skills.
6. Pre and Peri-Natal Component: The following is taken from wikipedia: " Prenatal and perinatal psychology is an interdisciplinary study of the foundations of health in body, mind, emotions and in enduring response patterns to life. It explores the psychological and psychophysiological effects and implications of the earliest experiences of the individual, before birth ("prenatal"), as well as during and immediately after childbirth ("perinatal") on the health and learning ability of the individual and on their relationships. As a broad field it has developed a variety of curative and preventive interventions for the unborn, at childbirth, for the new born, infants and adults who are adversely affected by early prenatal and perinatal dysfunction and trauma. "
7. Psychosocial/ Relational/ Emotional Component: a loving supportive environment to thrive in. Children are very sensitive to what goes on around them and absorb more than we know. It is important to note that children are affected by verbal and non-verbal communication. Gentle pediatric massage can be taught to parents to help them connect with their children in a nurturing way. Additionally, your child may be have experienced some trauma during the delivery process that is locked in their nervous system. This inertia can be release with gentle manual therapy like craniosacral therapy.
8. Parent Education: It is important for parents to provide an appropriate sensory diet and movement on a regular basis to facilitate development and ensure carry-over. Lack of follow up is one of the primary reasons why children don't progress. Never give up.
"In my experience working with children in a variety of settings, I have found that it is difficult to address the cause of their problems through conventional approaches alone. The key is teamwork and support. At this point in time, I am addressing the manual component and will provide a practitioner referral list to address the other areas. I am also open to talking with your child's current treatment team.
I recommend that children work with a holistic physician, nutritionist, neurologist, and manual therapist as part of their comprehensive treatment team (OT, PT, Speech, Special Edu. etc..). Working with children is a special honor. They deserve to have the best chance at living a happy productive life. I believe that many children can be significantly helped with the right team. It is also important that parents realize that they must be involved in the treatment.
*This is for information purposes only. This is not a substitute for Medical treatment.
Walter has been working as an occupational therapist in pediatrics for 12 years in a variety of settings. He is a licensed massage therapist and certified craniosacral therapist. In addition to manual therapy, he has experience in Sensory Integration(SI), Brain Gym, NDT, and pediatric yoga. He is a former karate instructor for children and he is a certified New York State Early Intervention therapist (birth-3) and is a member of the Holistic Pediatrics Association.
copyright 2009 Walter Blick Therapy, Myofascial Release and Craniosacral Therapy: New York, New York
