​Michelle Emanuel has 20 years experience as a Neonatal / Pediatric Occupational Therapist, with specific focus on posture, movement and connection for the newborn to precrawling baby. She has a background in neonatal intensive care NICU, pediatric intensive care PICU, cardiac intensive care CICU, and outpatient population.   She has a unique and interesting way of blending traditional and complementary forms of therapeutic applications, with her main emphasis on facilitating health nervous system function.

She is a Certified CranioSacral Therapist through the Upledger Institute and serves as a TA (teacher's assistant) for CranioSacral Therapy I and II, SomatoEmotional Release I and II, as well as CranioSacral Therapy for Pediatrics I and II.  In addition to this, Michelle has a wide variety of specialty Baby Manual Therapy / Bodywork training and experience.  She has been teaching and lecturing at various conferences and groups across North America and Canada.
Michelle is a certified Yoga Instructor (RYT200), a National Board Certified Reflexologist, and is certified in Infant Massage, Baby's First Massage, and Butterfly Touch Massage.  
​She developed the TummyTime! Method over ten years ago in order to address the rising numbers of babies affected by sleeping on their back, developing tension patterns and flat spots.  She offers the "secret" the helping babies and families have fun and enjoy the tummy time experience.   
Why does Michelle focus on the newborn to precrawling infant?  Because outside of working pregnant women, this is the earliest time of intervention.  The newborn to precrawing stage contains critical periods of movement, reflexes, autonomic regulation and neurodevelopment.  Michelle has significantly helped thousands of babies/families over the years.  She brings a vast array of knowledge, education and experience to this population, a well sought after therapist and teacher, she truly enjoys what she does.

Michelle's emphasis is on healthy nervous system function for babies and families.  

Michelle is specialty trained to administer the following neurodevelopmental tests:
General Movements Assessment (Advanced Level)
​Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale NOMAS
Test of Infant Motor Performance TIMP
Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function  ATLFF
Beckman Oral Motor Protocol
Infant Behavioral Assessment IBA
Gross Motor Functional Measure GMFM

---

Specialties seen in Michelle's office: 

• Asymmetries of head and posture (Torticollis, head turning or feeding preference to one side)
• Plagiocephaly / Brachycephaly (head flattening, flat spots, cranial molding)
• Oral restrictions such as Tongue, Lip and Buccal Ties
• GI issues Reflux, colic type symptoms, decreased bowel movements, etc
• Fussiness / Armoring /  Stiffness / Body Tension
• Babies who have difficulty with or cries consistently in tummy time position
• Babies who spend less than 10 minutes a day in tummy time
• Sensory Integration Sensitivities
• Latch and Breastfeeding Issues
• Tongue Posture deficits
• Breathing issues:  snoring, squeaky breathing, laryngomalacia, etc

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions, interest or concern about anything I've mentioned on this website.  In addition to all the things I've mentioned above, I'm just another human, a mom of three brilliant and beautiful children, who is interested in helping the babies!!  I'm on your side in helping you support your baby's resiliency, health and happiness.  Text me! 513 404 7786