PAEDIATRIC MASSAGE
In Indian, African and Asian cultures, daily massage in babies dates back to ancient times, to promote weight gain, co-ordination and bonding. Touch starts to develop at 8 weeks gestation with the formation of sensory receptors and it is well known that children thrive through physical contact. Yet baby and paediatric massage has only become popular in western culture more recently.
I have treated paediatric clients for sports injuries, growth spurt related injuries, everyday muscle strains, anxiety and cerebral palsy, but there are so many more benefits:-
- better quality sleep
- promote relaxation and self-regulation in babies
- enhance neurological development in children with developmental delay and neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy
- relieve the abdominal discomfort from constipation or gas
- improved gastrointestinal function
- relieve teething, colic and congestion in babies
- musculoskeletal pain caused by sports injuries or growth spurts eg. Severs disease, Osgood Schlatters
- ease anxiety
- increase body awareness
- stimulate motor development
- stimulate emotional and cognitive development
- increased alertness as well as speed and accuracy
- decrease levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and blood glucose levels
- stress reduction in children boosts the immune system and the ability to fight diseases
- improved focus in children with ADHD
- post traumatic stress in cases of early childhood abuse
- management of chronic conditions eg. asthma, cystic fibrosis
- reduced anxiety and cortisol levels in children with mild to moderate juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- reducing any aversion to touch in children with autism or ADHD,