Autism Spectrum Disorders
Massage therapy is a research-substantiated, sustainable intervention for children with autism. All children vary in their response, but benefits may include:
· Relaxation
· Stress reduction
· Reduction in muscle spasms
· Improved acceptance of tactile stimulation
· Improved body-awareness
· Greater ease in falling and staying asleep
· Improved on-task behavior
· Improved social-relatedness behavior
· Decrease in erratic behavior
A massage therapy session for a child with Autism may include oral sensory stimulation, tactile stimulation, sensory integration activities, and massage. Pediatric massage for any child is very different from what one normally considers as adult massage. In pediatric massage, the focus is on balancing the nervous system, not releasing muscle tension. When appropriate, hypotonicity or hypertonicity, for example, may be addressed, or muscle tension causing a headache may be resolved. Typically, however, the focus of the pediatric massage session is to balance and integrate components of the nervous system through touch. If desired and appropriate, the therapist will teach the parent or caregiver some of the techniques used during the session. Many parents report feeling a closer bond with their child after massaging them. (Cullen-Powell, L.A., et al (2005)
What does it mean to “Balance the Nervous System?”
It’s all about hormones, neurotransmitters, and nerves. The nervous system controls the functioning of the entire body, including the glands and organs, which secrete and utilize the following chemicals in the body.
* Serotonin – the Feel Good Hormone
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter concentrated in the raphe nucleus of the brainstem. It is also present in the blood, in the platelets and the large intestine. Serotonin is involved in inducing sleep, helping with sensory perception, temperature regulation, and control of mood. Studies have found that many individuals with autism have either too much or too little serotonin in their blood. Massage can help to balance those levels.
* Oxytocin – the Love and Cuddle Hormone
Oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that speeds up the birthing process, aids in breastfeeding, and promotes bonding between parents and baby. Oxytocin levels can be increased in both males and females through warmth, touch, massage, rhythmic motion, and friendly psychological feedback. The increase in oxytocin causes light sleepiness, relaxation, mild euphoric feelings, and pleasure through social contact. Many individuals with autism have markedly low levels of oxytocin and therefore benefit from the increase in levels provided through massage. This has a tendency to promote an individual’s ability and desire to form warm social bonds with others.
*Endorphins – Natural Pain Killers
Endorphins are small protein molecules that bind with sedative receptors in the brain to produce pain relieving effects. Massage increases endorphins in the body, producing a feel-good effect and easing chronic pain. Endorphins have also been associated with euphoric feelings, appetite modulation, and the release of sex hormones.
*Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays an important role in many nervous system functions, including sleep, movement and motivation.
*Cortisol - the Stress Hormone
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the cortex of the adrenal glands. Stress provokes an influx of cortisol to be released to help the body manage the stress. Massage decreases levels of cortisol
*Vagus Nerve
The Vagus Nerve is the 10th Cranial Nerve, wandering from the brain to the gut, heart, ears, mouth and voice. People with autism tend to have lower vagal nerve activity, resulting in higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lower levels of dopamine and serotonin. Massage increases vagal nerve activity, thereby increasing levels of these neurotransmitters, which in turn helps with nutrient absorption and healthy weight gain.
· Relaxation
· Stress reduction
· Reduction in muscle spasms
· Improved acceptance of tactile stimulation
· Improved body-awareness
· Greater ease in falling and staying asleep
· Improved on-task behavior
· Improved social-relatedness behavior
· Decrease in erratic behavior
A massage therapy session for a child with Autism may include oral sensory stimulation, tactile stimulation, sensory integration activities, and massage. Pediatric massage for any child is very different from what one normally considers as adult massage. In pediatric massage, the focus is on balancing the nervous system, not releasing muscle tension. When appropriate, hypotonicity or hypertonicity, for example, may be addressed, or muscle tension causing a headache may be resolved. Typically, however, the focus of the pediatric massage session is to balance and integrate components of the nervous system through touch. If desired and appropriate, the therapist will teach the parent or caregiver some of the techniques used during the session. Many parents report feeling a closer bond with their child after massaging them. (Cullen-Powell, L.A., et al (2005)
What does it mean to “Balance the Nervous System?”
It’s all about hormones, neurotransmitters, and nerves. The nervous system controls the functioning of the entire body, including the glands and organs, which secrete and utilize the following chemicals in the body.
* Serotonin – the Feel Good Hormone
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter concentrated in the raphe nucleus of the brainstem. It is also present in the blood, in the platelets and the large intestine. Serotonin is involved in inducing sleep, helping with sensory perception, temperature regulation, and control of mood. Studies have found that many individuals with autism have either too much or too little serotonin in their blood. Massage can help to balance those levels.
* Oxytocin – the Love and Cuddle Hormone
Oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that speeds up the birthing process, aids in breastfeeding, and promotes bonding between parents and baby. Oxytocin levels can be increased in both males and females through warmth, touch, massage, rhythmic motion, and friendly psychological feedback. The increase in oxytocin causes light sleepiness, relaxation, mild euphoric feelings, and pleasure through social contact. Many individuals with autism have markedly low levels of oxytocin and therefore benefit from the increase in levels provided through massage. This has a tendency to promote an individual’s ability and desire to form warm social bonds with others.
*Endorphins – Natural Pain Killers
Endorphins are small protein molecules that bind with sedative receptors in the brain to produce pain relieving effects. Massage increases endorphins in the body, producing a feel-good effect and easing chronic pain. Endorphins have also been associated with euphoric feelings, appetite modulation, and the release of sex hormones.
*Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays an important role in many nervous system functions, including sleep, movement and motivation.
*Cortisol - the Stress Hormone
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the cortex of the adrenal glands. Stress provokes an influx of cortisol to be released to help the body manage the stress. Massage decreases levels of cortisol
*Vagus Nerve
The Vagus Nerve is the 10th Cranial Nerve, wandering from the brain to the gut, heart, ears, mouth and voice. People with autism tend to have lower vagal nerve activity, resulting in higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lower levels of dopamine and serotonin. Massage increases vagal nerve activity, thereby increasing levels of these neurotransmitters, which in turn helps with nutrient absorption and healthy weight gain.
