Pediatric Massage
Touch therapy stimulates many physiological changes that help children grow and develop. It reduces anxiety, releases stress, improves pulmonary function, aids in bonding, increases pro-social behavior and interactions with others, improves motor development, and increases focus and attention to task.
Therapeutic massage is a wonderful modality to treat all kinds of common pediatric conditions. Here are some specific examples from research:
· Asthma – reduced hospitalizations, decreased anxiety and stress hormone levels, peak air flow and pulmonary functions improved reducing the need for inhalers
· ADD/ ADHD – may improve behavior classroom by reducing anxiety, hyperactivity, and daydreaming
· Autism – reduces stereotypic behavior and increases social-relatedness behavior, decreases problems with sleep
· Cancer – releases serotonin and increases natural killer cells, decreases anxiety and depression
· Cerebral Palsy – reduces spasticity, increases muscle flexibility and motor function
· Diabetes – Improves compliance with insulin and food regulation, improves mean glucose levels, reduces parent anxiety
· Down Syndrome – improves muscle tone and performance on motor tasks
· HIV – releases serotonin and increases natural killer cells, decreases anxiety, increases weight gain, improves performance on Brazelton Newborn Scale
· Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome – reduces anxiety and depression, improves sleep
What happens during a pediatric massage session?
Pediatric massage is tailored specifically to the unique needs and personality of each child.
Children often remain fully clothed during a session, unless parent and child feel comfortable in disrobing into undergarments and modestly draped to permit the muscles to be elongated with therapeutic grade massage oils. Again children will be draped with sheet and blanket and supported with pillows. If remaining clothed it is important that clothing is nonrestrictive and comfortable.
Sessions are conducted on a mat on the floor or on a massage table and are playful in nature, often involving storytelling, singing, playing with puppets and texture-rich toys.
Character themed props such as fairy princess wands, superhero action figures, avatars and sonic screw drivers may be used as healing tools as well as calming, and focusing devices.
For older children they can bring their favorite book or I pad with educational games. We do have a tablet with HeartMath Biofeedback & Luminosity Games available.
Sessions typically last 30-45 minutes for younger children and 45-60 minutes for older children.
The therapist would love to teach parents techniques so they can massage their children at home. Parents who do so report that they themselves benefit by feeling closer to their child, and feel empowered to provide touch therapy as part of the healing process for their child.
Therapeutic massage is a wonderful modality to treat all kinds of common pediatric conditions. Here are some specific examples from research:
· Asthma – reduced hospitalizations, decreased anxiety and stress hormone levels, peak air flow and pulmonary functions improved reducing the need for inhalers
· ADD/ ADHD – may improve behavior classroom by reducing anxiety, hyperactivity, and daydreaming
· Autism – reduces stereotypic behavior and increases social-relatedness behavior, decreases problems with sleep
- Anxiety
· Cancer – releases serotonin and increases natural killer cells, decreases anxiety and depression
· Cerebral Palsy – reduces spasticity, increases muscle flexibility and motor function
· Diabetes – Improves compliance with insulin and food regulation, improves mean glucose levels, reduces parent anxiety
· Down Syndrome – improves muscle tone and performance on motor tasks
· HIV – releases serotonin and increases natural killer cells, decreases anxiety, increases weight gain, improves performance on Brazelton Newborn Scale
· Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome – reduces anxiety and depression, improves sleep
- Stress-
What happens during a pediatric massage session?
Pediatric massage is tailored specifically to the unique needs and personality of each child.
Children often remain fully clothed during a session, unless parent and child feel comfortable in disrobing into undergarments and modestly draped to permit the muscles to be elongated with therapeutic grade massage oils. Again children will be draped with sheet and blanket and supported with pillows. If remaining clothed it is important that clothing is nonrestrictive and comfortable.
Sessions are conducted on a mat on the floor or on a massage table and are playful in nature, often involving storytelling, singing, playing with puppets and texture-rich toys.
Character themed props such as fairy princess wands, superhero action figures, avatars and sonic screw drivers may be used as healing tools as well as calming, and focusing devices.
For older children they can bring their favorite book or I pad with educational games. We do have a tablet with HeartMath Biofeedback & Luminosity Games available.
Sessions typically last 30-45 minutes for younger children and 45-60 minutes for older children.
The therapist would love to teach parents techniques so they can massage their children at home. Parents who do so report that they themselves benefit by feeling closer to their child, and feel empowered to provide touch therapy as part of the healing process for their child.
