Body Work
Body work is the general term used to describe therapies that may help relieve and normalize structural issues in the body. Some babies may need more body work than others. Babies who receive some form of bodywork seems to heal and rehabilitate better. For more info or to find a provider, please go to www.Upledger.com
Tummy Time
This is a simple at-home therapy you can perform a few times a day for 15-20 minutes. This may help your infant gain strength in the neck muscles that support proper sucking.
Craniosacral Therapy
This is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction. It also improves whole-body health and performance. CST is usually performed by massage therapists, physical therapists and IBCLC's.
Myofascial Release Therapy
This is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. Myofascial Release Therapy is usually performed by a physical or occupational therapist or massage therapist.
Oral Motor and Sensory Therapy
Oral Motor and Sensory Therapy are different than bodywork and takes a comprehensive approach to assess sucking, swallowing, and general feeding issues. You may ask your pediatrician for a referral to a highly skilled therapist. The following types of providers may help:
- IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) Some IBCLC's may have extra training in suck dysfunction
- OT/PT (Occupational or Physical Therapist) May help with feeding difficulties in infants and chldren
- SLP (Speech Language Pathologist) May help with speaking and/or difficulties in infants/children
- OMT (Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist) OMT is a relatively new and emerging field and this type of specialist helps restore proper muscle balance and function of the mouth.