The ancient art of massage as a healing agent has come a long way. Its humble beginning of artistic hand strokes on the body to restore the soul, rejuvenate the body, and decrease stress has now become a nationally certified health care option. Traditional health care systems are recognizing the therapeutic effects of massage in the healing process. Employers, doctors, chiropractors, even hospitals recommend and offer massage for wellness as a viable and beneficial therapy.

The type of touch used on a baby or child does differ from that used on an adult. The massage will be more gentle and tender, and the length is determined by your child's age and sensitivity to stimulation. So, when choosing a massage therapist it is very important to make sure the practitioner is certified and has expertise working with children.

When using massage on a child, remember to create a quiet time free from interruptions and work in the direction of blood flow. It is also important to avoid sensitive or injured areas, stay away from massage with a child who is ill or has a fever, and avoid the stomach area for at least 20 minutes after your child eats.

Benefits

Massage has been found to decrease anxiety and slow down the heart rate. It can also increase attachment and bonding in the parent-child relationship when it is the parent who is giving the massage.

Because massage can help children feel a sense of letting go, warmth, and care, your child's experience with massage may help her be more open to therapy. It may increase her ability to discuss issues related to why she feels anxious and increase the ability to trust in the helping profession. Physical advantages of massage include lowered blood pressure, slowed breathing rate, increased sense of comfort, improved circulation, and enhanced digestive functioning.

What the Research Shows

In separate studies at the Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, adolescents who received two chair massages over a month's time had decreased aggression; those with ADHD had reduced anxiety levels, improved behavior, and rated themselves as happier. Massage therapy reduced anxiety and depression in children who were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after Hurricane Andrew.

Infants whose parents gave them a massage before they went to bed slept better throughout the night and fell asleep more peaceably. Because massage stimulates all of an infant's or child's body, studies show it stabilizes heart rate and respiration and increases the ability to cope with stress. Researchers also found that the level of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, decreased after a massage.

Other research has shown that massage releases oxytocin in both the giver and receiver. The release of this hormone creates a “warm, fuzzy” feeling and may in part explain why bonding is strengthened during massage.

Chinese Pediatric Massage

This type of massage is also call Pediatric Tui Na. It is said to influence a child's energy flow, much like acupuncture. The difference is that Tui Na uses gentle massage to activate energy meridians or blockages instead of needles. Treatment can start at birth and is quick and effective until age six. After age six, regular acupuncture can be used. In most cases treatment only takes one to two sessions for symptoms to abate.

How to Find a Massage Therapist

Websites to check out include the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) or The International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM), which is a nonprofit national directory of Certified Infant Massage Instructors. They can help you find a massage therapist in your area, help you make decisions about what to look for in a massage therapist, and connect you with journals and research. A few questions IAIM suggests you ask when looking for a massage therapist are if the therapist is certified or licensed, how much training she has done with children, and what the treatment method will be.