Myofascial Release for Babies
Myofascial release (MFR) is a gentle and effective therapy that can help babies with any number of dysfunctions that might be present at birth or occur in the first weeks/months of life. Some of the conditions that we treat include:
Asymmetries in the body
Birthing injuries
Colic
Constipation
Erb’s palsy
Jaw clicking
Latching difficulties
Lip tie
Movement dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions
Plagiocephaly
Post surgery restrictions
Reflux
Seizures
Tongue tie
Torticollis
…and many more
What Is Fascia?
Fascia supports and protects us.
The fascial system interacts with all other body systems. Fascia covers and infuses baby’s muscles down to the smallest muscle fibers, it wraps their bones, their tendons, their organs, their blood vessels, their nerves, it fills the spaces between cells… everything.
Baby’s fascia is everywhere and it is one continuous structure. Restricted fascia can create dysfunction with its pressure. MFR gently releases that pressure and enables function, mobility, and the body’s natural processes to resume. As restrictions are released and asymmetries are corrected, development and growth can occur more normally.
Why Would Baby’s Fascia Be Restricted?
Traumas, injuries, surgeries and stress can all create fascial restrictions. Perhaps baby was stuck for a period of time during delivery, or has already experienced a surgery. Perhaps the delivery involved forceps or c-section. The more that baby is involved in the delivery, and the more complications that occur during delivery, the more fascial restrictions have likely been created. Because the fascial system is entirely connected, a fascial restriction in one part of baby’s body can restrict other areas of the body.
What Happens During an MFR Session?
Myofascial release is a hands-on bodywork therapy. After we talk through your baby’s health history and your goals, we’ll begin treatment. MFR is best done on skin, so typically your baby is just in their diaper during treatment. You are welcome to bring their favorite toy or stuffed animal, and are encouraged to be next to baby while the treatment occurs.
As with adults, MFR for babies is extremely gentle and never forces. Fascia takes longer to treat than muscles, so often the therapist will hold a technique for 5 minutes or longer. The therapist is trained to feel fascial restrictions and feel how those restrictions are at play in the body. Some babies are very calm and intrigued during this process, and some babies are restless and moving around. Either is fine! MFR is very calming for baby’s nervous system, which especially helps babies who have experienced trauma and might still be in fight-or-flight mode.
Often we will treat areas away from the symptoms. Remember - the fascial system is entirely connected. Releasing a restriction in one part of baby’s body can release other areas of the body. Sometimes the skin will light up red with a vasomotor response which indicates restriction, and sometimes baby’s body language will guide us to where we need to release next. Each session is unique to your baby and their needs.
As the fascia releases, structural change occurs and your baby’s movement and range of motion can open up. Sometimes we will see results in other areas than where we are working, and sometimes the results might take a day or two to emerge.
How Many Treatments Will My Baby Need?
Babies often respond to MFR faster than adults - babies do not have years and years of restrictions built up like adults. Also, babies are not yet socially conditioned with postural habits or inhibited behaviors. They let us know right away if they have discomfort. If we pay attention, they will often show us exactly where they need release.
There is no way to know ahead of time how many treatments your baby will need because every baby is different. Some babies will have noticeable changes within a few treatments, and other babies might need more than that to accomplish your goals. We do not treat every baby the same during MFR or follow set protocols; instead, we listen to and observe what their particular body needs. Two babies with latching difficulties might have very different fascial restrictions from one another.
We believe that the body wants to heal and function optimally. It is our job to listen to what baby’s body communicates and facilitate the healing process.
Concerned about COVID or germs?
Our office has two air filters and the therapist treats clients while wearing a mask.
Our therapist is fully vaccinated and boosted.
The room is cleaned between all clients and supplied with fresh linens.