Sensory Processing Deficits is a term that refers to a set of conditions or problems that cause difficulty in a child’s ability to interpret or recognize the information being communicated to them. The information is from one or several of the five senses (taste, touch, smell, vision, sound) as well as two other senses, the proprioceptive system and vestibular systems. The proprioceptive system extends throughout the spine and joints. Any problems with this system can translate to difficulties with motor skills, learning, behavior, and emotional and social development.

Our sensory system is a “read and react” system and our body is “preprogrammed” to respond appropriately to environmental stimuli.  This is ‘sensory learning’ or processing. What kids who suffer from things like Sensory Processing Deficits, ADD/ADHD, Autism, etc are unable to properly process, integrate, coordinate, and adapt to their sensory environment. It’s important to be mindful these are neurological INPUT and COORDINATION issues and not output and or behavior problems.

Common Indicators of Sensory Processing Deficits:

• An intervention during the labor and delivery process: C-section, vacuum, forceps, or increased difficulty, pulling, or twisting of the child’s head and neck during delivery.
• Colic, reflux, and gas pains in infancy.
• Torticollis and plagiocephaly.
• Constipation and digestive issues.
• Frequent ear and sinus infections.
• Speech delays.
• Abnormal motor development early in life (i.e. Skipped crawling).
• Poor balance and coordination, frequent falls and injuries.

Experts point to many possible causes of the increase of people with ADHD, sensory processing and learning disorders including expanding environmental pollutants/toxins, heavy vaccination schedules, non-breast fed children, allergic or inflammatory reaction to foods, and early childhood traumas like falls, and improper development through excessive use of infant car carriers, walkers, and jumpers – all may play a role in Sensory Processing Deficits.  

However the most commonly agreed to cause and a major hypothesis of the cause of Sensory Processing Deficits are traumatic birth injuries to the upper neck and brainstem regions (ie. forceps, vacuum extraction, C-section).  The most vulnerable area of the infant’s body is the upper cervical spine.  The upper neck spine of the baby, the part where the brain stem joins the spinal cord is critical for normal respiratory rate, facial symmetry, hearing, sleep, immune function and many other important functions.  During childbirth the upper cervical spine and cranial bones can undergo stresses resulting in subluxation, or misalignments of the spine and cranial bones. Subluxation is the mechanical compression and irritation to spinal joints and nerves.  Subluxation restricts and impedes the cerebral spinal fluid flow (the neurological feedback loop) by causing altered rhythms of neurological flow. This can lead to many negative health implications and affecting the senses and emotional state is a major repercussion.  This area is incredibly sensitive to any disruptions to cerebral spinal fluid flow and abnormal positions of the vertex of the fetal head.

A Chiropractor will use cervical adjustments and if trained, CranioSacral Therapy hands-on manipulations to bring these subluxations back into alignment and release any hindrance of the nervous system.

About Dr. Kaminsky & Craniosacral Therapy

Dr. Kaminsky earned his Chiropractic degree in the year 2000 and is licensed to practice in NY. He has since completed close to three thousand hours of continuing education seminars in various healthcare fields.

Since 2015, he is implementing primarily the hands-on techniques of Craniosacral Therapy (CST), a gentle, non-invasive, laying of the hands that brings about reversal and restoration.

The Craniosacral Mechanism is the driver of moving fluid in the body and head called cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF), which is produced by the Choroid Plexus of the brain and encapsulated within the head and spine.

The craniosacral system is the hydraulic mechanism of a human being and is a component of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and (ANS) Autonomic Nervous system.

There is a function inside of your brain that autonomically generates rhythmic impulses that function to pump CSF throughout your body via the craniosacral pathways, regulating your central and peripheral nerves, nervous system and organ systems, musculoskeletal system, etc.

This moving fluid is palpable to a trained craniosacral therapist, like the heart rate, pulse rhythm, breath, that can all be seen, heard or felt, so too can the Cranial Sacral Rhythm (CSR) be palpated and diagnosed for its health.

By placing his or her hands on your body, including your head and sacrum, the therapist can detect, feel and evaluate the SQAR (symmetry, quality, amplitude, rate) of this fluid rhythm.

The health of your body and mind are dependent on the vitality of this fluid. Compromises of your CSR’s rhythmic impulse correlates to CSF flow restrictions in the system which, when the fluid isn’t flowing optimally, your bodily rejuvenation and recovery is affected.

With anatomically correct hand placement on different parts the body during a session, through gentle manipulation and mobilization the therapist guides and facilitates a positive change in that region of the body which brings forth a correction. A myofascial release in a sense.

A craniosacral therapist stimulates and helps your rhythm refocus, allowing for improvement of musculoskeletal tightness and spasms, neurological issues, organ function, many common conditions, pain, and the mind-body re-connect.

Through a practitioners properly focused and individually attuned touch, your body is facilitated to release channels of fluid stagnation and flow restriction, which ultimately breakthrough, overcome and improve your rhythmic fluid and your potential for health improvement.

The existence of the Craniosacral mechanism was first discovered by Osteopath Dr. William Sutherland in the early 1900’s, who called it Cranial Osteopathy. And many years later, renamed to Craniosacral Therapy by Osteopath, Dr. John Upledger.

Dr. Alex Kaminsky is an advanced and certified Craniosacral Therapist, having studied advanced levels including SER, Brain and Pediatric courses. He has built a significant skill-set with many years of experience treating adults, children and babies. To learn more, visit the other pages on this website. Call to schedule your appointment with Dr. Kaminsky.