Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Massage Therapy for Children

Children respond very positively to massages
Massaging a child at bedtime on a regular basis has been found to be extremely beneficial. Massaging has been prevalent since centuries, and conveys to the child a sense of security. The right amount of physical contact has a positive effect on the development of a child – both mental and physical.

Massaging infants is part of the culture in many countries and communities. Specially formulated oils and herbs are used to elevate the benefits of the massage. Massage therapy can act as an excellent stress buster, at infancy as well as beyond. De-stressing enhances the immune system and helps the child sleep better.

It has been observed that children generally respond very positively to massages. For infants, gentle guided strokes along with suitable lubrication with oil, is all that is needed for a good massage. As children grow older, the massage can be directed to specific body parts such as the hands and the feet. Massage session should not exceed 15 minutes, since the attention span for children is small, and they may find it irritating to sit in a place doing nothing, for a long period of time. When the massage is comfortable, children tend to fall asleep in between.

Massage therapy has also been found useful for children with certain disorders and illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, and even with cancer. It is believed that the reduction of stress helps boost the immune system, and gives the suffering child some relief. Children with hyperactivity disorders, autism, and other psychiatric problems have been found to benefit immensely from massage therapy.

Massage as a therapy is seen as beneficial to infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and teens, and even young adults. Adding massage therapy as part of the daily routine can help the child grow into a balanced and mature individual.