debilitating medical condition, their symptoms are often
accompanied by pain, anxiety, loneliness and fear. So it
only makes sense that healthcare staff and medical
facilities are looking to pediatric massage as treatment
for some of these symptoms.
Research has shown that massage therapy can ease both
physical symptoms as well as, emotional discomforts
associated with pediatric medical conditions. Studies
conducted by the Touch Research Institutes at the
University of Miami School of Medicine show that massage
can alleviate pain, anxiety and depression in pediatric
clients. This healing touch therapy also provides comfort,
relaxation, reduction of stress hormones and relief from
chronic conditions such as asthma, nausea, constipation and
muscle aches.
Immediately after receiving massage, children with mild to
moderate juvenile rheumatoid arthritis notice decreased
anxiety and stress hormone (cortisol) levels. For young
patients with Autism their aversion to touch decreases with
massage, while their ability to focus increases. Pediatric
patients with cystic fibrosis report feeling less anxious,
and their ability to breathe and pulmonary functions
improved.
For the massage therapist or healthcare professional
considering pediatric massage, there are many
considerations to prepare for providing age specific and
development appropriate therapy. Further training in
pediatric massage is required to feel fully confident
working with children within medical institutions.
As you consider pursuing pediatric massage, some initial
adaptations in your practice will become helpful. The
following five "P's" are the keys to successful therapeutic
massage sessions for both pediatric patient and
practitioner.
Permission:
Permission should always be obtained from the child.
Within the confines of hospital walls, it is not always
possible for a child to agree to or refuse treatment.
Empowering the child to have a voice in their medical care
is possible through the use of massage therapy.
Before any touch therapy session with a pediatric patient,
you must receive approval from their attending physician to
ensure the child's safety. Never perform massage therapy
for a pediatric patient prior to receiving medical consent
to do so. Some medical conditions carry contraindications
to touch therapy. It is always best to receive medical
advisement prior to each and every session, in case of any
medical changes.
Pace:
Keep in mind that therapeutic touch sessions with children
are often much shorter than those with adult clients. Even
healthy well children have shorter attention spans and
tolerance to nurturing touch. As a therapist performing
this type of treatment, you may only provide therapy for
15-20 minutes for younger patients. You may find that with
some diagnosis, massage therapy may be recommended more
than one time per day.
Pressure:
Pediatric massage is adapted for each individual client on
a specific case by case basis. With each child it is
important to build a rapport and trust in your professional
relationship. Allow children to know they can direct the
amount of pressure used during the massage. And also be
prepared for the child to test out the control they have in
directing the amount of pressure used during the session.
It is important that the child knows they can trust you,
and that you will listen to their requests. Once they
trust you, they can relax and just feel the many benefits
of the massage.
The very experience of having some control over their
bodies becomes more important for children who are
chronically ill or hospitalized. For these children, their
day-to-day existent in the hospital is full of experiences
of adults doing things to them, sometimes painful and
uncomfortable, without their permission. It is very
empowering for a child to have the ability to direct their
therapeutic session, and at times even refuse it.
Positioning:
Some chronically ill children are confined to their
hospital bed, while others may be in a wheelchair or have
the ability to move from their bed with ease. It is
important to be able to adapt to a variety of scenarios.
Practice different positions including supported side
lying, supine, and semi-reclined. These three positions
seem to work very well, as you can keep eye contact and
notice any facial gestures your young client may make which
would alert you of any discomfort. Of course, it is always
possible to provide massage in other positions as well,
such as sitting in a wheelchair, standing, or lying in
another position that is more comfortable for them. The
important key is placing your hands on the child in a way
that they feel most comfortable. This will increase the
therapeutic and relaxing benefits or your time together.
Parents:
To many pediatric patients and their families, pediatric
massage is often seen as the medicine they need to heal, so
it becomes more important to consider including parents in
your sessions. You can't provide therapy for the child
everyday, so teaching the parents some techniques will be
helpful in encouraging this healthy bond between parent and
child. Additionally, many parents feel helpless within the
medical system. Passing along something they can use will
help them to feel calm and relaxed as well, which will
translate to the young client.
At the beginning of the session remind the parent that your
focus will be on the child and that you will be happy to
discuss the session or answer any questions at the end of
the treatment. Show parents some simple techniques to help
them relax, such as taking some deep breaths or rolling
their shoulders. Explain the importance of relaxing prior
to touching their child. Then show them some simple
techniques they can use without harming their child.
----------------------------------------------------
Looking for expert advice, tips and tools to help improve
your child's health? Find answers to all your questions
about infant massage instruction training, children's and
pediatric massage at http://www.liddlekidz.com . Infant
Massage Instructor Trainer, Tina Allen, founder of leading
children's health and nurturing touch organization Liddle
KidzT, shares over ten years of expertise working with
children and families.
