Pediatric Massage for Specific Conditions

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                 AUTISM      For children with autism, research has been published indicating that massage may provide     relaxation, stress reduction and calm muscle spasms. Research has also demonstrated that this type of intervention may promote more on-task and social relatedness behavior during play, children with autism spectrum disorders show less erratic behavior, and are more attentive after receiving massage therapy. This safe, nurturing touch, along with regular sensory integration, is beneficial in reducing inattentiveness, touch aversion and withdrawal. Over time, touch therapy also helps the child to become more accustomed to tactile stimulation and aides in body awareness. Often by incorporating massage therapy into daily routines, children with autism experience fewer sleeping problems.

Please visit : https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00058/full

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CANCER    Complementary therapies are being increasingly integrated into mainstream cancer programs and centers. Although most studies have reported the effects of massage in adult patients, pediatric cancer patients also experience reduced pain after massage therapy. Massage is one of the most commonly used pain management strategies for pediatric patients newly diagnosed with leukemia. For oncology patients, studies also indicate that many complementary therapies control treatment related physical and emotional symptoms including pain, fatigue, nausea, xerostomia (dry mouth), anxiety, and depression. A recent study took a close look at the effect of massage on cancer patients. In a study of 380 adults with advanced-stage cancer and at least moderate pain, the researchers found that those who received massage therapy had greater improvement in pain and mood than patients who were touched in a manner similar to massage but without the precise motion and the specific pressure a trained massage therapist uses. For cancer patients, especially pediatric cancer patients, even just a little relief can mean a lot. In general, about a third of all cancer patients experience significant pain. According to the National Cancer Institute, 15% to 25% of cancer patients become clinically depressed at some point during their illness. And, of course, the stress of hospitalization, isolation, and treatment for this very serious illness can make all these symptoms worse. During massage, levels of feel-good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine spike, oxytocin (the nurturing, cuddle hormone) is increased, while measures of the stress hormone cortisol drop. When using massage therapy for children with cancer, your work does not need to be aggressive to achieve its maximum potential. Trained, gentle touch can be just the treatment these children need.

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CEREBRAL PALSY      Cerebral palsy (CP) is a term that refers to many possible injuries to the brain usually occurring during fetal development; before, during, or shortly after birth; during infancy; or in early childhood. CP is not a disease: it’s neither progressive nor communicable. The United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation estimates between 1 ½ - 2 million children and adults have cerebral palsy in the United States. 10,000 babies and infants are diagnosed with cerebral palsy annually, and Pediatric Massage: A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Getting Started 1,200-1,500 preschool-age children are also recognized to have cerebral palsy each year. There are several types of cerebral palsy which involve damage to different parts of the brain, and affect body movement, posture and muscle coordination. These types are categorized into four types: spastic, athetoid, ataxic, and mixed. Without question, massage therapy can have a valuable role in improving the quality of life of a child with cerebral palsy. Research performed by the Touch Research Institute has indicated children affected by cerebral palsy receiving massage therapy showed fewer physical symptoms including reduced spasticity, less rigid muscle tone overall and in the arms, and improved fine and gross motor functioning. In addition, the massage group experienced improved cognition, social, and dressing scores on the Developmental Profile and showed more positive facial expressions and less limb activity during face-to-face play interactions. Massage may also be helpful in decreasing tone in spastic muscles, relieving tension and spasms, and improving digestion.

UNDER-SERVED POPULATIONS       Children in orphanages around the world may have food, clothing and shelter, but often they lack an essential ingredient for basic health and happiness—touch. Without it, children often feel discarded, forgotten, and even untouchable, especially when their circumstances are complicated by being sick or having a disability. Orphans have many physical needs, and because these needs are the most immediate, they are the most urgent. However, children have significant emotional needs as well. Experience has shown that orphanages find it a challenge to meet the emotional and developmental needs of children, including personalized care and attention. Massage therapy can provide not only physical stimulation to underused bodies, but also gentle touch, social interaction, and the knowledge that someone cares, fostering the hope and confidence needed to take their place in the world as part of society.

HEALTHY CHILDREN       Massage isn’t just for big, bad medical conditions with intimidating names. The little troubles of childhood respond just as well. Constipation. Tension headaches. Growing pains. Massage therapy can improve the quality of sleep, enhance body image, decrease anxiety, and reduce aggressive behavior. These aren’t earth-shaking issues, but what parent wouldn’t appreciate the person who could help a hyperactive six-year-old sit through story time, or 12-year-old feel like her changing body was Pediatric Massage: A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Getting Started actually pretty okay? It may not seem like much, but to the loving family of a child, it can mean the world. Don’t ignore healthy kids when looking for pediatric massage clients!

DOWN SYNDROME           People with Down Syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions, especially as children, and the use of diverse methods of treatment are encouraged. Massage is one type of additional therapy that is gaining popularity with peer-reviewed and scientific studies showing the benefits of massage for children with Down Syndrome, along with parents reporting the benefits they see first hand.

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        In a five month study, researchers found that "significant, lasting improvement in motor skills" were found in groups of children with Down Syndrome who were massaged by therapists, as well as parents. Additionally "an unanticipated consequence" was an unexpected jump in language skill for children affected by Down syndrome. This study is based around low income solutions for children with exceptionalities and wanted to measure the impact of training parents to massage their own children would have. The results speak to parents using massage as a viable option in helping with their child's healthcare concerns.

Another study found similarly exciting results, 21 young children (average age, two years) with Down Syndrome receiving early intervention (physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy) were chosen for two month study. The study used two groups, one receiving a half-hour reading activity and the other a half-hour of massage therapy. The children were assessed for development and muscle tone on the first and last day of the study. Children in the massage group revealed "larger gains in fine and gross motor functioning and less severe limb hypotonicity" as compared to the children in the reading group at the end of the two month study.

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      Every child deserves to receive the effects of touch therapy in a unique style customized for their best care. They may benefit from different gentle techniques, varied length of sessions and gentle application. Evidence suggests that pediatric massage may improve muscle tone, increase performance on motor tasks and provide much needed relief from constipation by improving motility.

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Tina Allen for www.amtamassage.org