Massage for Chronically Ill Children
To a child who has been hospitalized,Massage for Chronically Ill Children Articles or diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, their symptoms are often accompanied by pain, anxiety, loneliness and fear. So it only makes sense that healthcare staff and medical facilities are looking to pediatric massage as treatment for some of these symptoms.
Medical research has established that massage therapy can ease both 천안 안마-여긴어때 emotional as well as, physical discomforts associated with pediatric medical conditions. Studies conducted by the Touch Research Institutes at the University of Miami School of Medicine show that massage can alleviate pain, anxiety and depression in pediatric clients. This therapeutic touch provides relaxation, comfort, reduction of stress hormones and relief from chronic conditions such as nausea, asthma, constipation and muscle aches.
Immediately after receiving massage, children with mild to moderate juvenile rheumatoid arthritis notice decreased anxiety and stress hormone (cortisol) levels. For young patients with Autism their aversion to touch decreases with massage, while their ability to focus increases. Pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis report feeling less anxious, and their ability to breathe and pulmonary functions improved.
For the massage therapist or healthcare professional considering pediatric massage, there are many considerations to prepare for providing age specific and development appropriate therapy. Additional professional training in pediatric massage is a necessity to feel confident working with children within medical facilities.
As you consider pursuing pediatric massage, some initial adaptations in your practice will become helpful. The following five “P’s” are the keys to successful therapeutic massage sessions for both pediatric patient and practitioner.
Permission:
Permission should always be obtained from the child. Within the confines of hospital walls, it is not always possible for a child to agree to or refuse treatment. Empowering the child to have a voice in their medical care is possible through the use of massage therapy.
Before any touch therapy session with a pediatric patient, you must receive approval from their attending physician to ensure the child’s safety. Never perform massage therapy for a pediatric patient prior to receiving medical consent to do so. Some medical conditions carry contraindications to touch therapy. It is always best to receive medical advisement prior to each and every session, in case of any medical changes.
