Bodywork
Sensory
Integration
for
By Susan Vaughan Kratz
About the Book
Bodywork for Sensory Integration offers a fusion between the sciences of structural medicine and neurobehavioral principles. While structural medicine suggests ways to discern the autonomic state continuum of the whole body, neurobehavioral principles, such as self-regulation and sensory modulation management, have become a primary need in therapeutic services for babies and children. Determining if irregular behaviors are “sensory” or “behavioral” is a daily challenge facing pediatric therapists.
It is well-accepted that sensory and behavioral difficulties reflect autonomic nervous system physiology. Tension and tone of organs, blood vessels, and lymphatic movement play an underappreciated role in sensory regulation. The function of fascia and connective tissue, autonomic states of organs, cranial nerve pathways, and innervation sites hold important implications as sensory integration challenges are treated. The walls of blood vessels nestled in masses, the meninges’ tension, and the sensory cells’ structural health all have information relevant to sensory wellness.
The sensory-compromised person whose body feels uncomfortable can benefit from Bodywork for Sensory Integration. Parenting a child with neurodiversity or sensory differences can be made easier by understanding the lessons revealed through receiving bodywork. Tangible strategies help the whole family move towards a place of comfort, adaptability to sensory responses, homeostasis, and stress management.
About the Author
Susan Vaughan Kratz has specialized in neurology, pediatrics, and sensory integration throughout her occupational therapy career, spanning nearly four decades.
She returned to her roots as a general practice therapist in a wellness practice. Susan holds certifications and qualifications in Neurodevelopmental and Ayres' Sensory Integration and is a diplomat-level practitioner in Upledger CranioSacral Therapy. She has extensive formal training in manual methods to treat lymphatic, visceral organ, and interstitial systems of the body.
Owning a busy private practice, she also enjoys the position of invited lecturer, consultant, and clinical researcher. She estimates the nearly 45,000 client encounters in her career have taught her some simple truths about helping any nervous system become calm, regulated, and happy. She shares these truths in Bodywork for Babies.
Disclaimer and Release of Liability
The treatment suggestions in this book represent one practitioner’s clinical practice for direct intervention and are based upon accepted and recognized training methods within the scope of the author’s license. All practitioners should consider the scope of their practice, their level of training, and skill competency before applying methods to babies.
This treatment does not replace medical advice, but it can enhance health and wellness for holistic care. It is each practitioner's sole responsibility to seek professional training, mentoring, and other feedback methods to ensure palpation competency. Modification or limitation indicated for any medical condition or impairments is the professional's responsibility when practicing these methods.
