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Pediatric Massage

What is Pediatric Massage?

Massage is beneficial for people of all ages!  Pediatric massage is for kids between the age of 1 and 18.  Of course a massage session for a one year old is a lot different than one for an eighteen year old.  Like all massage at Blaine Healing Arts Massage Therapy, pediatric massage is adapted to the specific needs of the individual. We work within the comfort level of the child and parent to provide the best possible care. 

What is a Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist (CPMT)?

A CPMT is a massage therapist who has received advance training  to provide massage to children with a variety of health care needs. Both Kari and Laura are trained to provide massage to children in our office as well as in hospital or hospice care. The training includes a variety of massage techniques for working with children with various physical, developmental, emotional, and mental challenges.

Benefits of Massage for Children and Adolescents

  • Improved muscle tone
  • Improved joint mobility and range of motion
  • Improved respiratory function
  • Improved sleep patterns
  • Improved gastrointestinal function (regular bowel movements)
  • Decreased anxiety
  • Decreased stress
  • Improved concentration and ability to stay on task
  • Decreased pain
  • Assists in the recovery from injuries and accidents
  • Improved posture
  • Decreased aggression
  • Helps to treat and prevent sports related injuries

Benefits of Massage for Specific Conditions

Some of these conditions may require you to obtain permission from your child's primary health care provider prior to massage.
  • Asthma: reduced hospitalizations, decrease in anxiety and stress hormone levels, improved peak air flow and pulmonary functions, possible reduction in need for inhalers
  • ADHD: Improved classroom behavior in the areas of the Conners Teacher Rating Scales on anxiety, daydreaming and hyperactivity
  • Autism Spectrum: less stereotypical behavior and more on-task and social relatedness behavior during play observations, improved sleep patterns 
  • Cancer: release of serotonin and increase in natural killer cells, decreased anxiety and depression
  • Cerebral Palsy: reduced spasticity, gained more muscle flexibility and motor function and had more positive social interaction
  • Cystic Fibrosis: Reduced cortisol and norepinephrine levels, improved peak air flow readings
  • Diabetes: improved compliance with insulin and food regulation, improved mean glucose levels, symptomatic improvement and reduced parent anxiety
  • Down Syndrome: improved muscle tone and performance on motor tasks
  • Fibromyalgia: Reduced pain, depression and anxiety
  • HIV: release of serotonin and increase in natural killer cells, decreased anxiety and depression, increased weight gain, improved performance on the Brazelton Newborn Scale
  • Leukemia: increased white blood cell and neutrophil counts
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: decreased anxiety
  • Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): decreased anxiety, increased acceptance of touch, relaxation, possible decreased frequency of meltdowns and feeling overwhelmed
Source: Tina Allen Liddlekidz.com: Nurturing Touch for the Growing Child: Pediatric Massage Therapist Certification Manual 2010

Call 360-603-4120 for more information and to schedule a massage

Pediatric Client Intake Form

Please print and fill out this form prior to bringing your child in for a massage. In order to provide the best possible massage for your child we need to know more about him or her. In some cases we will need to have permission from the primary health care provider.
pediatric_client_intake_form.pdf
File Size: 139 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

What to expect

  • Prior to doing massage we will speak with both parents/guardians and children about what to expect
  • Parents are required to stay in our office during the length of the massage. For younger kids you may be asked to participate so that your child feels comfortable.  For kids between 1 and 12 parents should stay in the room during the massage (depends on comfort level of the child). For kids between 12 and 18 parents are welcome in the room at any time, but may also wait in our front office.
  • The child has permission to stop the session at any time.
  • What to wear: Have your child wear loose fitting clothes or shorts and a tank top. We want them to be comfortable so if they are picky about clothes have them wear what they want.
  • We will introduce touch slowly as needed and may use toys, stories, books, etc to help them be comfortable. If they have a favorite toy or blanket you are welcome to bring it to the session.