Pediatric Services

Chiropractic and Pediatric Services

At Holistic Health Virginia, pediatric chiropractic and craniopathy are gentle, age-appropriate, and family-centered. We evaluate how the spine, pelvis, cranium, and jaw work together, then use light touch methods to support comfortable motion, efficient feeding, calm sleep rhythms, and healthy development. Parents are always included, consent is obtained at each step, and care is coordinated with your pediatrician and other providers when appropriate.

SOT® Method chiropractic for babies and infants

What SOT® pediatric care is
Sacro Occipital Technic® (SOT) is a gentle chiropractic approach also for newborns and infants. It examines the interplay between the pelvis, spine, extremities, cranium, and jaw, utilizing very light fingertip contacts (or a low-force tool), soft positioning, and age-appropriate cranial, extremity, and spinal checks to facilitate calm feeding, smoother motion, and comfortable settling. No twisting, no forceful movements, touch is light and precise.

Why families choose SOT® Method Chiropractic for their baby

Feeding and latch coordination, preference for one breast or side
Head preference or tilt, early flat spots, tension with tummy time
Jaw and face tightness, noisy or effortful feeds, support after tongue or lip tie release
Gassy or tense belly, hard to settle rhythms, body tension after a fast, long, or assisted delivery

How a visit works

Evaluation:
Birth history, feeding details, head and body preferences, sleep rhythms, gentle SOT pediatric checks for cranial motion, jaw and tongue coordination, neck and spine comfort
Care:
Light fingertip contacts to guide motion, gentle holds for jaw and TMJ comfort, soft support for neck and upper back, SOT pediatric pelvic checks, a precision instrument if indicated, no cracking.
Re-testing and home strategies:
We re-check changes right away, then share simple positions, holds, burping tips, and tummy time ideas that fit real family life

Safety and coordination
Methods are gentle and adapted to size and age. You can hold your baby, nurse, or bottle feed at any time. With your permission, we coordinate with your pediatrician, lactation consultant, pediatric dentist, speech and occupational therapists when helpful.

How we measure progress
Latch quality and transfer comfort, head turning both ways, ease with tummy time, jaw and face relaxation, settling after feeds, and parent observations between visits.

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Craniopathy for Babies and Infants

What craniopathy is
Craniopathy is a chiropractic specialty that studies how the bones of the skull, the jaw, the spine, and the nervous system relate to each other. In infants, very light fingertip contacts and specific holds help ease strain patterns from pregnancy and birth, support jaw and tongue coordination for latch, and encourage balanced head and neck motion. Techniques are gentle, many babies relax or nap during care, and you can hold and feed your baby at any time.

Why families seek craniopathy

Feeding and latch challenges
Head preference to one side, flat spots, torticollis patterns
Tense jaw, clicking or grinding sounds, fussiness at the breast or bottle
Gassy or tense belly, strain with burping
Restless sleep rhythms, difficulty settling
Posture and comfort after tongue or lip tie release, in coordination with your dental team

Chiropractic supports structure and function, results vary by individual, and we collaborate with your pediatrician and other providers when needed.

Craniopathy is a chiropractic specialty that studies how the bones of the skull, the jaw, the spine, and the nervous system relate to each other. In infants, very light fingertip contacts and specific holds help ease strain patterns from pregnancy and birth, support jaw and tongue coordination for latch, and encourage balanced head and neck motion. Techniques are gentle, many babies relax or nap during care, and you can hold and feed your baby at any time.

Why families seek craniopathy

Feeding and latch challenges
Head preference to one side, flat spots, torticollis patterns
Tense jaw, clicking or grinding sounds, fussiness at the breast or bottle
Gassy or tense belly, strain with burping
Restless sleep rhythms, difficulty settling
Posture and comfort after tongue or lip tie release, in coordination with your dental team

Dr. Stephane specializes in Craniopathy, a gentle and effective treatment for babies and infants that addresses cranial bone misalignments and supports healthy development.

He also does organ therapy for babies and infants, which involves gentle, non-invasive techniques to support the proper functioning and alignment of internal organs. This therapy can help alleviate issues such as digestive problems, colic, and respiratory difficulties by promoting natural balance and improving overall organ health.

If you're a lactation specialist or parent seeking solutions for your little one, you've come to the right place. I collaborate with your pediatrician and other providers when needed.

Benefits of Craniopathy for Babies and Infants

Nursing/Latching Issues: Helps resolve difficulties in breastfeeding by aligning the cranial bones, improving the baby's ability to latch and nurse effectively.

Reflux: Eases discomfort and reduces symptoms of reflux by addressing cranial misalignments that may affect the digestive system.

TMJ Pain and Clicking: Corrects jaw misalignments that can cause pain and clicking, promoting better feeding and comfort.

Head Shape and Facial Asymmetries: Treats conditions such as plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) and other asymmetries, ensuring a balanced and symmetrical head shape.

Colic and Fussiness: Alleviates discomfort and reduces episodes of colic and fussiness by improving overall cranial function and comfort.

We measure progress with simple, repeatable checks, head and neck range of motion, feeding observations, and parent reports.

How craniopathy works on babies and infants

Evaluation

History of pregnancy and birth, feeding details, sleep rhythms, head and body preferences, and development milestones. Gentle exam of cranial motion, jaw and tongue function, neck and spine motion, reflexes as appropriate for age.

Care

Very light contacts to cranial bones and membranes, gentle support for the jaw and TMJ, soft holds for the neck and upper back, and SOT pediatric pelvic checks. No twisting, no forceful movements, fingertip pressure only, or a precision instrument when indicated.

Re-testing and home support

We recheck changes right away, then share simple positioning, tummy time, and feeding support strategies that fit real family life.

The Holistic Health Virginia difference for pediatric care

Gentle and specific
Light touch craniopathy and SOT pediatric analysis, with retesting at each visit.
Feeding informed
Coordination with lactation consultants, pediatric dentists, speech and occupational therapists when indicated.
Clear plans, measurable progress
You will know what we are finding, what we are changing, and how we will track progress together.
Family centered
Parents are part of the process, siblings are welcome, and visits are paced to your child.
Integrated care
When appropriate and within scope, we review prior imaging and reports and coordinate with your pediatrician and specialists.

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Cranio-Sacral Therapy vs. Craniopathy

Cranio-Sacral Therapy (CST) originated from Dr. Upledger in the 1970s when he observed a rhythmic fluctuation of the dura membrane during surgery. While CST practitioners are trained to gently tune into this rhythm and facilitate the release of imbalances, our practice does not offer or recommend CST for several reasons:

Limited Training: CST certification can often be obtained in a fraction of the time compared to Craniopathy. This duration may not provide the depth of knowledge or clinical experience required for comprehensive cranial treatment, which involves an intricate understanding of the cranial structures and their functions.
Lack of Regulation: The training and certification process for CST practitioners is not as rigorous or standardized as that for Craniopathy. Additionally, CST practice is not governed by the Virginia Board of Medicine unless performed by a licensed massage therapist or other regulated healthcare professional. If you choose this route, make sure to book with a board-licensed health practitioner to ensure the highest standard of care.

The Importance of Rigorous Training

Cranial Osteopathy and Craniopathy require extensive training and expertise. Dr. Stéphane's fellowship in Craniopathy through the International Craniopathy Specialty ensures you receive the highest standard of care. The rigorous training and certification process guarantees practitioners a comprehensive understanding of the cranium, spinal cord, sacrum, and coccyx and how to treat these areas to promote health and well-being effectively.

Let’s Work Together

We understand how overwhelming it can be when you have a new baby, especially when you may be struggling with feeding issues. Schedule your free consultation to ask all your questions.

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Frequently asked questions

Is craniopathy safe for newborns
Yes, methods use a very light touch and are adapted to age and size. We explain each step and obtain consent before beginning.

How soon after birth can we come
As soon as you feel ready. Many families come within the first day or the first week, and others come later as feeding or head preference patterns become clear.

Will my baby cry
Crying is communication. We provide care for your child, allowing you to feed or hold your baby at any time. Many babies relax or nap during care.

How many visits will we need?
It depends on findings and goals. Some changes are immediate, others build over a series of visits. We retest each time and adjust the plan together.

Do you work with our pediatrician and lactation consultant
Yes. With your permission, we share findings and coordinate care. We also refer to pediatric dentistry, speech therapy, or occupational therapy when appropriate.

Is imaging required
No, not routinely. We only recommend imaging when clinically indicated, and we discuss risks and benefits.

Is blood work required?

No. We do not require blood work before your initial visit. We start with a thorough history and exam, then decide together if testing will help clarify your case. When indicated, options can include blood, saliva, urine, stool, hair, and, for some markers, a finger-prick sample. We order tests only when clinically appropriate, we are happy to review recent labs you already have, and when red flags are present we may recommend labs or imaging first and coordinate with your primary care or pediatric provider.