Pediatric Massage Therapy
Pediatric massage therapy is massage for children. The Touch Research Institute of the University of Miami's Medical School has conducted a number of studies of child massage that show benefits ranging from reducing anxiety to relieving chronic pain.
Scope
Pediatric massage is different from infant massage and includes massage for toddlers and children of all ages, including teenagers and young adults.
The Child's Consent
Before massaging a child, especially a young child, explain massage in an age-appropriate way. According to pediatric massage teacher Shay Beider in "Touching the Future: Gentle Massage for Children," it's important to let children know that massage should always feel good and that they can stop the massage at any time. Breider also notes that always asking permission to touch helps children establish healthy boundaries.
Considerations
Adult and child bodies are different. For example, because children have more touch receptors per square inch than adults, children can be more easily overstimulated. Also, children's bones are less solid than adult bones.
Expert Insight
Breider notes that pediatric massage therapists need to practice ongoing communication to best understand the sensations that children are feeling. Open communication is a key element of massaging children.
Parental Touch
Although professional pediatric massage therapy is an option, parents can also learn to massage their children.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Precision Muscle Recovery at 480.755.5065.