Benefits
Pediatric Massage Therapy and Touch Therapy benefit children and the adults who are in contact with them.
"By working together with open lines of communication and trust,
children can be assisted in all aspects of their lives."
~Wendy Rolfe-Cook, CPMT
Pain in children requires special attention. According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, "children are not always able to describe the degree of pain they are experiencing. Although treating pain in pediatric patients poses a special challenge to physicians and parents alike, pediatric patients should never be under treated. Recently, special tools for measuring pain in children have been developed that, when combined with cues used by parents, help physicians select the most effective treatments."
Potential major body system benefits for children include:
Skeletal:
- Aids in supporting good posture and balance
- Reduces muscle tension that could lead to potential medical problems
- Increases nutrient flow to bones
Digestive and Urinary:
- May relieve constipation
- May relieve gas
- Reduces water retention
- Aids the kidneys and liver in processing the natural by-products of digestion
Respiratory:
- Improves breathing patterns
- Helps reduce respiratory problems
- Relieves tension in the chest allowing the lungs to expand more fully
Muscular:
- Relieves muscle tension and spasm
- Increases the flow of blood and nutrients to muscles
- Aids in the movement of lactic acid (necessary for muscle contraction)
- Can increase or decrease muscle tone depending upon amount of pressure
- Can increase or decrease joint mobility depending upon the amount and placement of pressure
Circulatory and Lymphatic:
- Stimulates blood and lymph circulation (absolutely necessary for overall health)
- Aids in the movement of carbonic acid (necessary to maintain a balanced blood Ph)
- Helps strengthen the immune system by stimulating lymphocytes (natural killer cells)
- Helps increase seratonin levels (stabilizes mood, regulates body temperature, aids in sleep)
- Reduces swelling (edema)
Integumentary:
- Dilates blood capillaries of the skin enabling absorption of O2 and vitamins
- Provides superficial circulation
- Assists body in tissue rebuilding
Reproductive:
- Reduces the negative effects of PMS
- Reduces excess fluid retention
Nervous:
- Relaxes and calms or stimulates depending on type of massage
- Improves sleep patterns
- Raises endorphin levels (aids in the body's ability to fight pain, increases positive mood)
- Provides a safe and easy release from frustration and hyperactive behavior
- The Vagus Nerve is stimulated (regulates heartbeat, governs digestive system)
"Benefits" is organized into three groups: