A Mom on the East Coast Emails
“I’m reaching out because I’m in need of some help with my 8-year-old son. I’ve been concerned about him since birth—really, even before then.
When I was seven months pregnant, I was in a traumatic head-on collision, and, from that point forward, the stress was overwhelming. I had planned for a natural birth at a birthing center but ended up being induced at 36 weeks in the hospital. After 48 hours of labor and a heavy dose of Pitocin, he was born.
From day one, he cried constantly—a colicky baby who was inconsolable day and night. He struggled with night terrors, frequent wake-ups, and difficulty getting comfortable.
Over the years, he has remained shy, moody and prone to tantrums. Lately, he has started hitting me during meltdowns and sometimes won’t stop—I’ve even had to lock myself in my room.
His recent tantrums are usually related to screen time. Although, this morning, we were at a birthday party at a park, and he was cold. The whole time he was pushing me with his body to leave and just kept saying he wanted to go home over and over for the one hour and thirty minutes.
It’s becoming too much for me to handle, and I’m concerned about him. Something just seems neurologically off, or perhaps it’s his dysregulated nervous system.
He has been grinding his teeth at night for as long as he’s had them. I’ve had his airway checked (which is fine) and recently had him in a palatal expander. The grinding is still happening.
We’ve been to a craniosacral fascial therapist before, and she seemed to really help him feel more regulated and at ease. There were times when she may have done too much because, on two specific occasions, he got really sick after his appointment with her.
It could have very well been a coincidence, but it has me hesitant to return to her. Do you think you can help him? Thanks!”
My Thoughts and Suggestions
He may have been detoxing after the two visits with the therapist. She was trained to just listen to him and allow him to heal. As long as you are both comfortable, I would return to her for more work.
I have always felt that the teeth grinding was part of the restriction of the craniosacral fascial web. When he approaches strain-free in therapy, that habit may cease.
The expander can be a problem with restricting brain motion. Please read my orthodontic articles. I highly recommend that you consult with Dr. Joanna Walska in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
He may have problems with the chemicals in the food—look up the Feingold diet on the web. I would suggest real organic food for him.
I am assuming he is seeing a mental health professional. He is probably holding the physical trauma of that accident plus the “normal” physical birth traumas.
I learned from the Lancaster research that a fetus, as a part of the mother, can take on all of her emotions over the 40 weeks. I believe that the infants cried in therapy because they were releasing not only their physical traumas but also these trapped emotions. That may be why they all became truly happy babies.
He did not go through that process and still may have stored up emotions. The goal in therapy would be to help release them, which may not look pretty.
There are a lot of moving parts here, and these are just my suggestions. I fully understand that the parents have the final say with the health care of their child.
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