Supporting Braces with Craniosacral Therapy: A Personal Journey of Healing and Alignment

craniosacral therapy can be an essential complement to braces treatment

When my second child needed braces, I found myself looking for more than just traditional ways to support him through the orthodontic process. The experience of wearing braces, especially for children, can be both physically and emotionally challenging. The discomfort from pressure on the teeth, the strain on the jaw, and the adjustment to new oral mechanics all take a toll. As a craniosacral therapy (CST) practitioner, I wanted to go deeper into how I could best support him beyond regular orthodontic visits.

I waited to schedule his appointment to get the braces on after I completed a craniosacral therapy class specifically focused on oral function. The class provided invaluable insights into how the craniosacral system—the bones, tissues, and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord—affects not just the head and neck, but the entire body, including the teeth, jaw, and facial muscles. This specialized knowledge allowed me to use CST techniques to release tension, promote healing, and help ease the discomfort that often accompanies braces. It was a transformative experience, not just for my son, but for me as a practitioner and parent.

Releasing cranial bones is part of the craniosacral therapy session after getting braces

Fast forward to January 2025, when my fourth child started braces. With all the lessons I’ve learned over the years, we are now using craniosacral therapy to support her throughout her orthodontic treatment as well. As a parent who’s been through this process before and a practitioner who understands the deep benefits of CST, I feel equipped to offer my children holistic support, ensuring their bodies and minds are in balance during this important stage of growth.

In this post, I’ll share how craniosacral therapy can be an essential complement to braces treatment, helping alleviate physical discomfort, support jaw alignment, and provide emotional balance for children undergoing orthodontic work.

1. Releasing Tension in the Cranial and Facial Areas

When braces move the teeth, there’s more than just a shift in dental alignment. The pressure exerted on the teeth and jaw often leads to tension in the surrounding cranial bones, muscles, and connective tissue. This tension can cause discomfort in the face, neck, and even lead to headaches.

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle hands on treatment that brings comfort after being fitted for braces

Through CST, gentle manipulations of the cranial bones and surrounding tissues can help release that tension, ensuring that the bones of the skull and jaw move more freely and comfortably.

For my son, this was a huge relief—his ability to open his mouth comfortably improved, and he didn’t experience the usual tightness in his jaw. Similarly, with my daughter now undergoing the same process, I’ve already seen a positive impact in reducing her tension as early as the day after her braces went on.

2. Supporting Proper Jaw Alignment

Braces are designed to realign the teeth, but the jaw can sometimes need extra attention as it adjusts to the changes. Misalignments in the jaw can lead to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues, which can manifest as pain, discomfort, or difficulty chewing. Craniosacral therapy can support jaw alignment by gently encouraging proper movement and helping to relax the surrounding muscles.

After the cranial bones are released the jaw is rebalanced

During my son’s orthodontic journey, I noticed that after regular CST sessions, he had fewer complaints of jaw pain and tension. It also made the process of getting used to his new bite much smoother. Now, with my daughter, I’m using these same techniques to help her jaw adapt to the changes brought on by her braces, promoting a smoother transition and reducing discomfort.

3. Reducing Headaches and Facial Pain

It’s common for children in braces to experience headaches, facial pain, or even earaches due to the pressure exerted on their teeth and jaw. Craniosacral therapy can significantly reduce these symptoms by releasing tension in the face, neck, and jaw, improving overall alignment. By encouraging the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, CST also enhances the body’s ability to heal naturally, providing pain relief without the need for medication.

4. Supporting Relaxation and Emotional Well-Being

CST supports emotional wellbeing

Orthodontic treatment can be stressful, especially for children who may feel self-conscious about their appearance or anxious about the discomfort associated with braces. Craniosacral therapy works to calm the nervous system by promoting deep relaxation and reducing stress. The gentle, soothing touch of CST helps children feel more comfortable in their bodies, allowing them to better cope with the emotional challenges of wearing braces.

5. Promoting Overall Body Alignment

Braces can sometimes affect posture, as children adjust to the changes in their bite and jaw. Misalignment in the mouth and jaw can lead to compensatory postural shifts in the neck, shoulders, and spine.

Craniosacral therapy supports the whole body

Craniosacral therapy supports whole-body alignment by encouraging the body to adjust in a balanced way, improving posture and reducing the strain on other areas of the body.

As my son progressed through his treatment, CST helped correct some minor postural imbalances that had developed due to his braces. Now, with my daughter, we’re using CST to ensure her body remains in optimal alignment as her teeth shift into place.

6. Facilitating Healing After Braces Removal

My son and his new smile. Photo credit Kate's Takes

Once braces are removed, the teeth and jaw need time to settle into their new positions. Craniosacral therapy can support this post-braces phase by ensuring that the body’s cranial and facial structures are properly aligned, helping to ease any residual discomfort and enhance overall healing.

I saw how effective CST was in supporting my son’s post-braces healing, helping his teeth, jaw, and nervous system integrate the changes in a smooth, comfortable way. I’m confident it will have a similar positive effect for my daughter as she moves through her own treatment.

Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Braces

For all four of my children, craniosacral therapy has been an invaluable tool in supporting their orthodontic treatment from Isaacs, Nawy, Stern & Isaacs Orthodontics. By addressing the tension in the cranial bones, jaw, and surrounding tissues, CST helps improve comfort, reduce pain, support proper alignment, and promote emotional well-being. Whether your child is preparing to get braces, currently wearing them, or in the post-treatment phase, craniosacral therapy can make a world of difference. Dr Weiner in his case study, CST and Headaches from Dental Braces, concluded:

Whether a child or an adult is planning to wear orthodontic braces, CranioSacral Therapy is highly recommended as a conjoint therapy to minimize any side effects of the dental work.

Releasing the hyoid effects the jaw, tongue, neck and shoulder, bringing more ease in the body

If you’re interested in learning more about how CST can help your child through their braces journey, feel free to reach out. As a parent and a craniosacral therapist, I’ve seen first-hand how this holistic approach can enhance the experience of braces, making the process smoother, more comfortable, and more healing overall.

Interested in learning more about craniosacral therapy for your child? Send us a message in the Contact link or schedule an appointment through Book Now.

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