Ask the Expert: Pediatric massage therapy - Muncie Star Press

[massage]

Patricia Clouse(Photo: Photo provided)


People often think of massage therapy as something for adults. However, young kids can also get massages if necessary. Pediatric massage therapy is more than helping children cope with the symptoms of the conditions they may be suffering from. Therapy can also alleviate feeling s of fear and anxiety that may have arose because of medical treatments.

What is pediatric massage therapy?

Pediatric massage therapy is the manual manipulation of soft tissue intended to support health and well-being in children and adolescents. This type of massage therapy can be applied with a wide range of variability in terms of pressure, pacing and selected modality. Skilled massage therapists are aware of how to go from light touch to deeper massage, as needed, and are familiar with different modalities that can be incorporated into their practice.

What children need massage therapy?

Pediatric massage therapy has been shown to be helpful for numerous conditions. Children who have conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can benefit from massage therapy if the skin is not susceptible to infection. Benefits of massage therapy for these conditions include reduced skin redness, flakiness of the skin and itching.

Massage therapy has also been helpful for nervous system conditions such as pain, anxiety and depression. Multiple sclerosis (MS) was once considered an adult disease; however, doctors are now diagnosing MS in children and adolescents. Massage therapy can be beneficial during the subacute stage in children with MS and is usually recommended as part of a stress management plan.

Patients who experience headaches also respond favorably to massage therapy, although it is usually intended for tension-type headaches.

Children and adolescents with Erb’s palsy and cerebral palsy (CP) can benefit from regular massage therapy treatments. Due to the variability in severity of CP and the symptoms expressed, massage therapy treatments are closely assessed and monitored on a case-by-case basis.

Pediatric massage therapy is also known to help circulatory system conditions, lymphatic and immune system conditions, respiratory system conditions, endocrine system conditions and many more.

What are the benefits of pediatric massage therapy?

Although pediatric massage therapy is widely offered, many people aren’t aware of its many benefits. Some of the biggest benefits of pediatric massage therapy include:

• Reduces anxiety, which helps young kids deal with stressful situations in a healthier way
• Reduces pain and discomfort they may be suffering due to an injury or any other medical condition
• Improves their self-esteem and confidence because often times their muscles get toned
• Releases the stress children may be facing due to health problems
• Provides a sense of better health and wellbeing

What considerations need to be made when giving a pediatric massage?

There are many benefits of pediatric massage therapy, but this does not mean that any massage therapist can perform massage on a child. It is important to be sure the child is comfortable, including the choice to wear lightweight clothing, and that he or she is able to relax while the massage is being performed. The following are some considerations to be made.

• The most crucial part is that the child gives permission prior to the beginning of the massage. Often times parents and massage therapists make the mistake of forcing a child into position for the massage. In addition to the child’s permission, you also need to obtain permission of the doctor and the medical team treating the child.
• Massage therapy sessions for children should be shorter than for an adult. The maximum length of the session should be 20 minutes. Children have a short attention span and do not like being touched too much, especially by a stranger. Any shortcomings can be compensated by giving the child multiple massages a day.
• It is important to determine how much pressure needs to be applied on different parts of the body of the child in order for treatment to work.
• Parents of the children should be present while the massage therapist performs the massage. Older children could be given the choice whether to have a parent present or just close by. This assures the child that he/she is in a safe environment and allows the therapist to brief the parents on some basic massage techniques that they can perform on their child at home.
• The positioning of the child in the proper way must be done carefully. The position will vary from patient to patient, depending on if they have limited mobility.

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