CranioSacral Therapy
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle manual therapy that uses the production and absorption of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) as it comes in and out of the skull and spine to address restriction within the body. This natural occurring movement allows the Practitioner to find and release dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system and central nervous system while the patient is fully clothed lying on a table. CST works to enhance the body's own healing potential. CST provides a holistic approach to feeling better, addressing more than just symptoms. CST is very relaxing and enjoyable to receive. It is a "hands on" modality that is lighter touch than a massage. The whole body decreases in muscle tension and improved alignment of structures occurs. The body feels more organized and calmer. Patients typically report decreased pain and increased well-being following a treatment.
For more information on CranioSacral Therapy visit our Informational Page or Upledger Institute.
Pediatric Occupational Therapy
At The Body’s Wisdom we work with infants through adolescence. We provide one to one ratio pediatric occupational therapy in a private clinic and/or a community setting.
Our goal is to work with the child and the family to identify areas of delay or challenges in their child’s development. Once those areas are identified, we work with the child and family in order to meet the needs and goals of each individual. We strive to do this through a multisensory approach utilizing treatment modalities and therapeutic interventions that can be modified to each environment. This will serve to help improve the child’s confidence and self esteem to promote long term success and independence in daily activities within their home and community.
We are trained and/or certified in a variety of treatment modalities that facilitate development in areas of gross motor, fine motor, visual motor, social skills, play and sensory integration. Occupational therapy works to improve developmental milestones in infants, such as feeding and functional mobility skills like crawling and walking. In school aged children there are many areas occupational therapy can address, such as postural control, body awareness and coordination, scissor skills, drawing, handwriting and social skills. As children grow occupational therapy can help them achieve independence with self-care. Occupational therapy also offers the opportunity to help modulate the sensory systems in all ages.
Most children find occupational therapy sessions fun. Each session is adapted to ensure it is “just right”, as well as meaningful and fun for the child! Our ability to offer private sessions are an important opportunity for the family to participate in the therapy session as needed for successful carry over into the home and community. We work with our families to provide flexible and accommodating times and scheduling.
We have therapy dogs that are certified and trained available for added support or motivation as appropriate. Please see our section on Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy for more information.
Companion Animal Assisted Help with Occupational Therapy
Our therapy dogs, Rupert and Pearl, are incorporated as treatment modalities in our Occupational Therapy Practice when approriate. Betsy has been trained in specific methods and techniques with the therapy dogs that offer an array of skills in which they are able to motivate and engage the children/clients in areas that are difficult for them. We have found and research supports the benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy. Rupert and Pearl are also medically cleared for Therapy Work.
Children/Clients who participate in OT are required to fill out informed consent in order to interact with Rupert & Pearl.
More about Betsy, Rupert & Pearl: Betsy has presented a workshop on incorporating Companion Animal Assisted Therapy as a modality in OT at the Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association (ConnOTA) Spring Conference in March, 2006.
Rupert was the 2007 recipient of the AKC’s Award of Excellence-Honorable Mention for his therapy dog work.
Both Rupert and a previous therapy dog, Vinnie, have appeared in numerous articles and manuals for their therapy work.
Auditory Integration Therapy
AIT is available upon request.
Animal CranioSacral Therapy
CST can be helpful to your Canine or Horse. View the photos in our Gallery of a horse and a small dog during a CranioSacral Therapy session. If your Canine or Horse is experiencing difficulty with the following: balance, fatique, constipation, leg, knee, hip and/or joint problems or issues walking, this therapy may be able to help relieve the issues.