Gentle, whole-body care for adults, children & newborns
Janine Blanchard's approach is shaped by her five-year osteopathic education in Germany, where hands-on care emphasizes looking beyond the location of a symptom to understand how structure, movement, tension, and the body as a whole influence one another.
Her sessions integrate craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation techniques, soft-tissue work, and structural bodywork into an individualized, whole-body approach.
Janine’s work ranges from very gentle, subtle techniques to more direct structural and deep-tissue work. Treatment is adapted to the individual—their body, comfort level, and what is found during the session.
Adults
People commonly seek bodywork with Janine for concerns such as:
Motor Vehicle Accidents Injuries (Some PIP Insurance accepted)
Back / Neck Pain
Headaches / Migraines
TMJ / Jaw Issues
Ear & Sinus Congestion
Restricted/ Painful Joints
Tendonitis
Digestive Problems
Sciatica / Nerve Impingement Symptoms
60 or 90-minute sessions available. New patients are encouraged to schedule a 90-minute first visit so there is enough time for a thorough history and an unhurried treatment.
Injuries, repetitive strain, prolonged postures, stress, surgery, and the demands of everyday life can all contribute to patterns of tension and compensation in the body. Sometimes the place you feel discomfort isn't the only area involved.
Janine uses hands-on bodywork to identify areas of restricted mobility and tension and works to improve movement, comfort, and adaptability throughout the body.
“To find health should be the object of the doctor. Anyone can find disease.”
Babies
Pregnancy and birth ask an extraordinary amount of both parent and baby. Babies are wonderfully adaptable, but positioning during pregnancy and the forces involved in birth can sometimes leave patterns of tension or restriction in their small bodies.
Craniosacral Therapy for newborns and infants is exceptionally gentle. Much of a session may look surprisingly simple: quiet contact at the head, neck, spine, rib cage, abdomen, or pelvis while Janine follows the baby's responses and works with areas of tension and restricted movement.
Parents often bring their babies in for support with:
• Head-turning preference or torticollis
• Head-shape asymmetry or flat spots
• Body tension following a difficult, prolonged, or very rapid birth
• Fussiness or difficulty settling
• Feeding-related tension
• Preference for nursing on one side
• Tension before or after a tongue-tie release
• Reflux, gas, or digestive discomfort
• General movement asymmetry
Lactation Support
Because feeding challenges can involve both the mechanics of a baby's body and the breastfeeding relationship itself, Janine also offers lactation support. Learn more about Lactation Support here.
For families who would prefer to stay home during the earliest postpartum weeks, home visits may be available for newborns during the first six weeks of life. Please email Janine directly to inquire about availability here.
Children & Teens
Parents seek craniosacral therapy and bodywork for children and teens for concerns including:
• Torticollis and movement asymmetries
• Musculoskeletal aches, tension, and growing pains
• Sports injuries and recovery
• Headaches and jaw tension
• Concussion recovery
• Postural strain
• Sensory and nervous-system regulation support
• Sleep-related tension
• Developmental movement concerns
• General support during periods of rapid growth
Children's bodies are constantly changing. Growth, falls, sports, injuries, illness, school postures, and everyday physical and emotional stress can all influence how a child moves and carries tension.
Bodywork with children is never about asking them to lie perfectly still while something is "done" to them. Janine follows the child's pace. With younger children, that may mean talking, playing, changing positions, or moving around the room while treatment happens.
Above all, the goal is for the child to feel safe, comfortable, and respected.
For children with developmental, sensory, or attention differences, treatment is adapted to the individual child rather than expecting the child to adapt to the treatment.
What to Expect
Every session begins with a conversation about what brings you or your child in and what you hope to get from the visit. Treatment is individualized and may include craniosacral therapy, soft-tissue techniques, visceral techniques, structural bodywork, or gentle movement-based techniques. Some sessions are very subtle and quiet; others involve more direct work with muscles, joints, and movement.
Adults may undress to their level of comfort and are appropriately draped throughout the session. Babies and children generally remain clothed.
A Whole-Body Perspective
One of the principles Janine carried with her from her osteopathic education in Germany is to look for health and adaptability rather than simply chasing symptoms. The goal of her work is not to diagnose or treat disease, but to use skilled manual therapy to reduce physical restriction, support comfortable movement, and help the body function with greater ease.
Meet our Registered Craniosacral Therapist:
Janine Blanchard, RCST®, CMT, CLSP
California Massage Therapy Council Certificate #72872
Janine's European osteopathic education does not constitute licensure as an osteopathic physician (D.O.) in California. Services described on
this page are non-medical manual therapy/bodywork and are not a substitute for medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.