What is the Immune System

The Immune System is that aspect of the body whose function is to protect us from harm. It is a distribution network of roughly 10 billion loosely cooperating cells that communicate with each other physically, energetically and chemically through the body.

Where is the Immune System

There are 3 primary areas of the immune system

1. Under the skin and in the mucus membranes, which means inside the mouth and nose, the whole of the respiratory and digestive tracts, inside the reproduction organs, in the eyes. 

2. In the blood and the lymph

3. In the specialised lymphoid organs, the bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, lympoid tissue (appendix, tonsils, adenoids, spleen, bone marrow).

We have 3 layers of defence

1.  The Physical Barrier which is the skin and mucous membrane 

FUN FACT  We have over 400 square meters of mucous membranes in your bodies

2.  The Innate Immune system, which acts very fast when we are exposed to bacteria or parasites, but it does not learn from previous encounters.  


FUN FACT  The immune system can react within minutes of exposure to an infection.

3.  The Adaptive Immune system which is where the body has adapted and learnt from a previous encounter, such as the body has had this infection before or has been immunised to a certain pathogen or virus.  It takes a few days for the adaptive immune system to react to a virus or pathogen it has be previous exposed to so relies initially on the innate immune system.

 
So what has the immune system got to do with Cranisosacral Therapy?

If the body has stress or restrictions this can affect how effectively the Immune System is able to function. During a craniosacral therapy session we can help to reduce stress, and calm the central nervous system, which allows the immune system to be primed to look out for pathogens (for example bacteria and viruses). During a treatment in the same way as restrictions are released around your spine, you can also get restrictions around an organ and this can impact how the immune organ functions. Sometimes the immune system can become over active or a bit confused and this can lead to cancer or autoimmune conditions so it is really important for it to be in balance.  

If you would like to find out how Craniosacral Therapy might help your immune system then please get in touch.
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Placiopcephaly is a condition characterised by asymmetry and flattening of the skull. Positional Plagiocephaly or flat head syndrome is a common sight in babies and in recent years the incidence has increased to 1 in 60 babies. Flat Head syndrome is usually caused by babies being in the same position for long periods of time. It is more common in babies who have a larger birth weight, were in a difficult position in utero, had a long labour or an assisted delivery such as forceps or ventous. Premature babies who have softer skulls and lower muscle tone are also at risk. Sometimes a baby finds it difficult to turn the head due to tight muscles or torticollis. Babies who suffer with reflux also have an increase chance of flat head due to being held in an upright position for long periods of time.

Flat Head syndrome does not usually cause problems to a baby, however it can have an impact on feeding, increase chance of ear infections, or scoliosis. 

To help to prevent flat head syndrome it is important to reposition the baby's head when the baby is sleeping if you notice that the baby always faces one way.  Encourage baby to turn the head, so talk to the baby from both side and positioning toys to encourage turning. Babies to be placed on their tummy for short periods of time when awake and supervised. Tummy time is important for your baby's development as it helps to build the muscles your baby needs for sitting and crawling, as well as helping baby to make left to right brain connections important in later life for reading and writing. 
Follow  NHS guidelines on how safely to do tummy time.

Sometimes a baby may have some stiffness or restriction in the neck or shoulders, or torticollis and will find it difficult to turn the head away from the tightness. This can then lead to the baby always favouring to turn the same way and this can result in the head becoming flat.

Manual therapy such as Craniosacral therapy, osteopathy chiropractics or physiotherapy may be needed to release the tension and gently encourage the repositioning of the cranial bones. The younger the baby is treated the better.  Craniosacral therapy gently releases tension from the baby's body which helps head and neck movement and can help with the correct alignment of the cranial bones.

In moderate to servere cases of Flat Head Syndrome Cranial orthosis or helmet therapy is needed.

In rare cases placiocephaly is caused by Craniosynostosis were one or more of the cranial suture between the cranial bones fuse prematurely. It is always best to get the baby checked by a doctor or paediatric trained manual therapist 

I see lots of babies in my practice, if you want to discuss your baby please get in touch.

As we approach the festive period with all the extra stress and busyness that comes this time of year, it is really important to remember to look after your physical and mental health.  Here are a few suggestions that can help you to stay healthy and enjoy the holidays.

Mental health:  Sometimes all the excitement, extra work and seeing friends and family can become overwhelming. So make sure you take some time out for yourself, even if it is just excusing yourself for ten minutes to go to anther room or an hour to go for a walk alone. Tune into your body and take some slow, even breaths. It is amazing how just simply breathing can help to calm the nervous system.  Be mindful of those around you, especially children that struggle when there is a lot going on.  Have a plan in place that will allow them to take some time out if needed. This can be having a signal or "timeout" word that allows you to support someone to leave the situation or room.  Children can sometimes appear  'badly behaved' but this is often because they are unable to express themselves. Make sure you have time for them to be calm.
Christmas can be an emotional time especially if you are missing loved ones, so be kind to yourself and respectful of others who may not be sharing in the festivities due to their physical or emotional health. 

Move:  Although it is nice to take some time off work and sit around watching TV and relaxing it is also important to keep your muscles moving. Get up, stretch, go for a walk. However take care when getting out and about if it is icy. The last place you want to spend Christmas is A&E with a sprain or fracture.   Wear shoes or trainers with some grip and check in on your balance and sense of alignment. Those of you who have a MELT ball or roller, don't forget to use them to keep you from getting stuck and dehydrated fascia in your body.

Dehydration:  Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. It is more difficult in the winter to remember to drink but very easy to get dehydrated sitting by the fire or in a centrally heated house, and especially if drinking alcohol. So aim for 2 litres of water (herbal teas, fruit juice) Be aware of drinking too much coffee and alcohol which can dehydrate you. If you can have one glass of water for each coffee or alcoholic drink that will help to prevent dehydration.

Gut health: It is lovely to enjoy lots of lovely rich food over Christmas but remember to look after your gut. There are plenty of ways to get fibre into your diet, Christmas dinner with lots of vegetables and maybe an extra brussels sprout or two!  Sweet and rich food can be inflammatory to the body so be mindful if you start feeling stiff, achy or sluggish it may be worth looking at what you have been eating.

Sleep wake cycle: We often get out of routine when we are on holiday and like to have a lay in or go to bed later.  The body has a sleep wake cycle called your circadian rhythm and it is important to listen to that as it helps to control your hormones.  It will also make it more difficult to get back to work or school after the New Year. So try to keep a little bit of a routine if you can and the most important thing is to get some daylight.

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