Massage/
Touch

benefits

Massage/Touch Therapy offers a variety of evidence-based benefits, such as...

• Emotional well-being support. (decreases cortisol, the stress hormone, and increases dopamine and serotonin, the “feel-good” chemicals in the brain.)
• Improved muscle tone and circulation
• Alleviation of gastrointestinal issues (constipation, gas, diarrhea, and general abdominal discomfort)
• Improved sleep patterns, often boosting energy, focus and learning
• Strengthened sensory integration through more effective organization of sensory information and reduction in tactile sensitivity
• Reduction in pain and shortened recovery time after injury or medical intervention
• Increased tolerance to touch

Expectations

Often parents, especially those who have received massage themselves, are surprised by the ways that a pediatric massage/touch therapy session may be different from what they've experienced themselves. Here are some examples of the differences and what to expect...

• Your child will be completely clothed
• Sessions are generally shorter (typically, 30 minutes)
• A parent or other trusted adult must be present at all times. This is not only a legal matter. Touch therapy is an intimate experience for a child, and your child's sense of safety requires the mental and physical presence of a trusted adult.
• Pediatric massage therapy, like any massage therapy, requires the ongoing consent of the client, your child. This consent may be verbal or non-verbal and may change during the massage session.
• In pediatric massage, the first step is always rapport. If a child is nervous or new to touch therapy, I often prioritize trust-building over direct touch in the first session. This way, your child feels safe, empowered, and in control of their own body.

FAQs

What if my child is resistant to being touched?

Does a parent really have to be in the room?

What are your fees?

Do you take insurance?