Pediatric Massage

The importance of positive and loving touch in the life of a child is as fundamental to his or her healthy growth and development as good nutrition and quality rest.

When parents learn infant massage for their newborns I always like to stress that the massage techniques they learn can be used and are beneficial to their children well beyond the first two years of life. Children thrive on touch and as they grow it is an ever present source of comfort. When parents massage their children they are re-enforcing the parent/child bond no matter what their age.

When a child is coming in for a massage, I usually recommend a 1 hour appointment for the first appointment. Depending on the age of the child they may need time to get acclimated to the new environment and experience. When a young child is feeling unsure of the situation massage can be performed on the parent to demonstrate what he/she can expect. A variety of methods can be used to find what kind of touch the child is most comfortable with.

Some of the benefits of massage for children include:

For Children(Psychological)

Re-enforces the parent/child bond and trust
Massage helps the brain to form a mental picture of the body which in turn has shown to lead to a more positive body image.
Teaches children appropriate touch and the option of refusing touch as they grow
Increases self-esteem. Ashley Montague, an anthropologist, makes the assertion that a child’s self-esteem is increased based on a close relationship with its parents.
Enhances Relaxation
For Children(Physiological)
Releases stress, which can be a trigger for 60-80% of illness.
Stimulates circulation, which improves oxygen and nutrient flow to the cells and enhances removal of toxins from the cells
Strengthens digestion by stimulating the vagus nerve, which assists peristalsis (the moving of food through the digestive system)
Strengthens the immune system by stimulating lymph flow and by increasing natural killer cells, which can positively impact children suffering from immune disorders or cancer
Stimulates right/left brain development and coordination
Deepens respiration, allowing asthmatic children to breathe easier
Develops and improves muscle tone
Improves sleep patterns, deepening sleep and sometimes contributing to longer periods of sleep
Stimulates right/left brain development and coordination
Helps develop coordination by encouraging mid-line orientation and using opposite limbs in rhythm.
For Parents
Improves relaxation, reduces stress
Increases parents’ skills by increasing confidence by giving them the tools to enhance their child's health and development.
Provides quality bonding time for both parent and child
Increases communication between child and parent, indeed some parents of older children report that their children often open to them during this special time.
Increases parents’ awareness of their child’s physical condition, so they are more in tune to any abnormal lumps or conditions they may not have felt otherwise

Massage as Part of the Family Routine and General Guidelines

It is never too late to learn how to massage your child. Massage performed by the parents at home can be a wonderful addition to the family routine.

It is important to note that the length of a massage for a baby is generally about 15 minutes while for preschool children into adolescence it is typically no longer than 30 minutes and for teenagers 30-60 minutes.

At all times the massage should be performed only while the child is open to receiving and never forced.

Safe and gentle oils to use include grapeseed, apricot kernel and jojoba. A thicker cream can also be used, which is especially helpful if the child has dry skin. Generally it is best to avoid oils that contain mineral oil or petroleum as these product can irritate skin, potentially clog pores and are questionable as far as safety.

Massaging the abdomen can be very soothing especially if the child suffers from gas or constipation. Think of the abdomen as a clock and always massage in a clockwise direction. This works with the natural flow of the digestive system and helps things move along.

When massaging arms and legs, use long sweeping strokes with a firmer pressure going up toward the heart and a very light return stroke. This works with the natural flow of circulation in the body

Postpone a massage when the child is in the acute stage of a cold or flu.

**Massage therapy has been shown to benefit children with a wide variety of disorders. Field, Hernandez- Reif, LaGreca, Shaw, Schanberg, & Kuhn (1997) report that massage lowers glucose levels in children with diabetes. Teenagers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder receiving massage therapy experienced short term improvement in mood state and long term improvement
in classroom behavior (Field, Quintino, Hernandez-Reif, & Koslovske, 2003). In another study, adolescents receiving massage therapy, compared with those receiving relaxation therapy, were found to feel less hostile and to be perceived as less aggressive by their parents. There was no change in students receiving relaxation therapy (Diego et al., 2002). Preterm infants who received infant massage gained more weight than infants in a control group (Field, 1998). It appears that
the benefits of massage are enjoyed by those doing the massage as well. Field (1998) indicated that
parents who were taught to massage their infants had less anxiety and stress.**

Special Circumstances

Massage is very beneficial to all children and it is even more important for children who may be coping with an illness, disorder or pain. Each circumstance comes with precautions and guidelines but overall massage has been shown to be a great benefit at improving the quality of life for these children. If you would like to learn more and see if massage is right for your child please feel free to contact me.

Cancer

In the case of children facing cancer, massage and positive touch offer multiple benefits. Physiologically, massage increases the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and strengthens the immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells. Massage also decreases the production of stress hormones like cortisol. Massage for the child with cancer can relieve stress, anxiety, fear, physical soreness, and nausea while improving energy levels and mood. Massage therapy can also be empowering to a child during a time where they have very little choice about what they must endure to be well again, because the child decides when, how or even if he or if she wants to receive massage. Parents can also be taught simple massage techniques that they can perform at home. This practice can be very beneficial to both parents and child as it helps to re-enforce the parent/child bond and, empowers parents with techniques they can use to actively participate in their child’s care while alleviating some of their child’s discomfort.

**Excerpt from:
Alternative Therapies for Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs
by Denise Gasalberti, PhD, RN