Willow Therapeutic Massage
  • Home
  • Meet the practitioner
    • Client Reviews
  • Services and Scheduling
    • Reiki
  • Contact
Picture

Pediatric Massage

Touch therapy stimulates many physiological changes that help children grow and develop. It reduces anxiety, releases stress, improves pulmonary function, aids in bonding, increases pro-social behavior and interactions with others, improves motor development, and increases focus and attention to task.

Therapeutic massage is a wonderful modality to treat all kinds of common pediatric conditions. Here are some specific examples from research:


  • Asthma – reduced hospitalizations, decreased anxiety and stress hormone levels, peak air flow and pulmonary functions improved reducing the need for inhalers
  • ADD/ ADHD – may improve behavior classroom by reducing anxiety, hyperactivity, and daydreaming
  • Autism – reduces stereotypic behavior and increases social-relatedness behavior, decreases problems with sleep
  • Cancer – releases serotonin and increases natural killer cells, decreases anxiety and depression
  • Cerebral Palsy – reduces spasticity, increases muscle flexibility and motor function
  • Diabetes – Improves compliance with insulin and food regulation, improves mean glucose levels, reduces parent anxiety
  • Down Syndrome – improves muscle tone and performance on motor tasks
  • HIV – releases serotonin and increases natural killer cells, decreases anxiety, increases weight gain, improves performance on Brazelton Newborn Scale
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome – reduces anxiety and depression, improves sleep

​What happens during a pediatric massage session?

Pediatric massage is tailored specifically to the unique needs and personality of each child. Children often remain fully clothed during a session, as skin to skin contact is not essential. It is important that clothing is nonrestrictive and comfortable. Sessions are conducted on a massage table and can be playful in nature, involving storytelling, singing, and playing with puppets and texture-rich toys. Sessions typically last 30-45 minutes and caregiver participation is encouraged. 



Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Meet the practitioner
    • Client Reviews
  • Services and Scheduling
    • Reiki
  • Contact