Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2024

16 • Massage Therapy Journal

Y ou know from your own practice that one of the greatest assets of massage therapy is its versatility. Massage research continues to advance the profession by highlighting how massage impacts both the physical and mental well-being of your clients, with several studies suggesting massage can help relieve symptoms of acute and chronic health conditions and alleviate stress and anxiety, for example.

• relaxation • growth and development support • alleviation of gastrointestinal issues and aids in digestion

• emotional well-being support • reduced pain and discomfort

• enhanced sleep quality • improved circulation • strengthens bond between parent and child (parent-led massage) Similar to your adult clients, working with infant and pediatric clients requires you to tailor every session to meet the unique needs of the child, both in the goals of the work you do together and in how you interact with the child. For example, massage therapists should be prepared to accommodate child-specific needs and differences, such as a decreased attention span, and more delicate skin and musculature. “In pediatric massage, the pressure applied is much lighter compared to adults,” Allen explains. “The techniques are gentler and more suited to a child’s delicate skin and developing musculature.” Additionally, the duration of a massage session for a child will typically be shorter. Infants can quickly become bored and overstimulated during a massage, and overstimulation can end up negating many of the benefits a massage may offer younger children, like improved relaxation and sleep. Intake for pediatric clients will also look a little different. Your pediatric clients may have health concerns that are unique to them, so consider adding questions around social and emotional health (being sure to respect scope of practice), as well as ADHD, autism and other sensory processing disorders. Remember, too, that parents should be present throughout the intake and massage session. Not only can the parent provide helpful feedback, but they can also put the child at ease and provide a real sense of security. Pediatric and Infant Massage for Sleep One of the most studied potential benefits of pediatric and infant massage is the potential for

In recent years, more research is showing massage therapy may provide a host of benefits for infant and pediatric clients.

So often, people assume the primary benefits of massage belong to adults. But that isn’t really true. In recent years, more research is showing massage therapy may provide a host of benefits for infant and pediatric clients, too. “Massage therapy for pediatric and infant clients offers significant benefits for various conditions, including sleep issues, autism, eczema, weight gain, anxiety and pain management,” says Tina Allen, LMT, CPMMT, CPMT, CIMT, founder and director, Liddle Kidz Foundation. According to Allen, some of the overarching benefits of pediatric massage include:

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