Pediatric Massage Therapy

This book is an introduction to Chinese pediatric massage which is a safe, non-invasive, low-cost & effective therapy for a wide variety of common childhood ailments. Includes over 250 easy to follow illustrations.

This book provides a complete overview of the concepts and techniques that massage therapists, physical or occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals need to know in order to perform manual therapy on children—especially those with disabilities. The author fully covers the applications of massage therapy for children ages 2 to 18. Pediatric Massage Therapy, Second Edition is well written, well researched, and expertly illustrated to provide a clear, demonstrative guide to pediatric massage. Topics include massage in healthy emotional development, managing psychological stress, physical therapy, and home healthcare. Real-life examples and anecdotes from hands-on therapists help readers relate to specific applications.

• A leading practitioner of Chinese medicine provides Western therapists with a comprehensive, illustrated handbook for the noninvasive treatment of childhood conditions. • Provides alternatives to Western medicine that are more tolerable to children and better for their long-term health. • With over 200 drawings and photographs to guide practitioners through the massage treatments in the text. • A valuable addition to the repertoire of any health practitioner. A noninvasive alternative to conventional Western medicine, Chinese pediatric massage provides practitioners with greater flexibility in choosing a successful course of treatment to improve the health and energy of children without overwhelming their systems. Chinese pediatric massage has fewer side effects than other forms of treatment, making it more tolerable for children, easier on their parents, and more effective in improving the patient's long-term health. This clearly illustrated guide is designed to give all health care providers--massage therapists, homeopathic and allopathic practitioners, and bodyworkers--who know the general concepts of traditional Chinese medicine the tools and knowledge they need to successfully use Chinese pediatric massage in treating their patients. Effective on children from birth through preadolescence, Chinese pediatric massage is a valuable therapeutic addition to the repertoire of any practitioner. It considers how a child's energetic framework differs from that of an adult, and accounts for these physiological and anatomical differences through assessment, point locations, and treatment.

Massage is a deeply satisfying and therapeutic way to interact with infants and children. But caregiver concerns about medical, social, and behavioral issues mean that children with special needs often miss out on this powerful intervention. The good news is that most medically involved children can be massaged safely, and the benefits can be enormous. Pediatric Massage: For the Child with Special Needs provides physical and occupational therapists, nurses, massage therapists, and other members of the intervention team in-depth information on the caring touch massage.

Master the techniques of infant massage and incorporate this joyful and wonderful healing art into your baby’s life with this revised and updated edition. For generations, mothers around the world have known that the soft touch of their hands soothes, calms, and communicates their love to their babies. The latest scientific research confirms that physical affection is vital to the development and wellness of children—easing discomfort, releasing tension, improving sleep, helping premature infants gain weight, even aiding asthmatic children to improve their breathing. Now Vimala McClure, founder of the International Association of Infant Massage, has revised and updated her beloved classic. Inside you’ll find • specific routines tailored to help relieve colic, fever, and chest and nasal congestion • easy-to-follow instructions and photographs demonstrating each step • new information on the benefits of skin-to-skin contact • instructions for premature infants and babies with special needs • lullabies, rhymes, and games to enhance the massage experience • a special chapter dedicated to fathers • compassionate advice for foster and adoptive parents Praise for Infant Massage “Speaking as a pediatrician, the best advice I can give you is to try the techniques described in this book.”–Stephen Berman, M.D., F.A.A.P., former president, American Academy of Pediatrics “What a brilliant way to love and nurture a child! The first connection between parent and child is physical, through the body; by using the techniques Vimala McClure has developed, your parental relationship will be off to a magnificent start.”—Judy Ford, author of Wonderful Ways to Love a Child

Written by the Director of the world-renowned Touch Research Institutes, this book examines the practical applications of important massage therapy research findings. Each chapter of this comprehensive resource provides a clear and authoritative review of what is reliably known about the effects of touch for a variety of clinical conditions such as depression, pain management, movement problems, and functioning of the immune system. Coverage also includes the benefits of massage to specific populations such as pregnant women, neonates, infants, and adolescents. This book is suitable for massage therapists (including Shiatsu practitioners), aromatherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, physical therapists, and nurses. Provides a thorough yet concise review of recent research related to the importance of touch. Offers practical guidance to healthcare professionals whose work involves physical contact with patients.