Newborn psoas area - Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy

The Newborn Psoas Area

Most people have tightness in one or both psoas areas of their bodies, potentially creating pain. This restriction(s) can be difficult to completely resolve.

Most providers would say that it is a muscle problem. But since every muscle cell has a fascial covering, I would say that the fascial component may be the critical factor. As a preventative measure, I believe this problem can be identified and cleared at birth.

All too often I will see an infant pulling up his or her legs, which is a strong indicator of psoas tightness. The therapeutic newborn goal is for the legs to be totally relaxed in the sitting position where they can be easily lifted with one finger.

I hypothesize that because of crampedness in a fetal position, the psoas area can easily become strained. I am assuming when I see an adult with tightness here, their problem may have started at birth. If so, I am assuming therapy then can help to prevent future problems.

A two-week-old presented with general tightness in his body. He became much looser on the first visit as his brain cycle went from zero to 80 seconds with his fascial web freeing up nicely.

But I noticed on the second visit that he still was tight in both psoas areas as his legs were pulling up. He could not just let his legs become floppy loose.

With my thumb and index finger, I held one psoas area with one hand and the same leg with the other hand. I let the tissues talk to me and gradually felt nice fascial releases in the area.

I felt the same melting for the other side and noticed that now both of his legs could flop loosely. His brain cycle went to an amazing 160 seconds.

I am suggesting, to avoid many structural issues later in life, that these areas need to be checked and treated for every newborn. Gillespie Approach Training is a must for all newborn providers.

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