Kids Receive Touch Therapy to Ease Stress

Copyright (c) 2009 Liddle Kidz Foundation Infant and Children's Pediatric Massage

Haven't we a little out of control at one time or another? Whether stress or anxiety is present due to an upcoming exam, an impending move or even just being in an unfamiliar situation, stress can occur. As an adult, these stressors are easier to understand and manage, however, imagine if you are a child trying to understand these situations.

According to The Children's Center for OCD and Anxiety, Anxiety is the number one mental health problem in America; conservative estimates suggest that 13% of children and adolescents suffer from an anxiety disorder.

For children, anxiety disorders may be difficult to cope with, as they may not yet have the ability to vocalize their feelings, nor the coping skills needed to manage them. For most children their fears are short-lived, and can be quickly outgrown.

In fact, anxiety in children should be expected at various times throughout development and is in many cases regarded as normal. Some children may also may struggle to adjust to new situations and suffer from excessive shyness. Stressful events such as moving, starting school, or the loss of a parent can trigger the onset of anxiety. However, a specific stressor need not be the precursor to the development of a disorder. Many believe that if left untreated, children with anxiety disorders are at higher risk to perform poorly in school, have less developed social skills, and are more vulnerable to substance abuse.

Although children experience the symptoms of anxiety in much the same way as adults do, they display and react to these same symptoms differently. Some children are more anxious than others and may need additional reassurance from their families, or help from a professional. This is especially true if an Anxiety disorder is suspected. Anxiety becomes a problem if it begins to affect your child's daily routine, or if it is causing your child significant distress. With proper intervention, a child's anxiety can be tackled head on and children can experience a reduction in their anxiety.

Numerous research studies have demonstrated that massage therapy may be an effective method of intervention in these situations. In one such study, children who survived Hurricane Andrew displayed a decrease in anxiety, depression and stress hormone levels following massage therapy (Field et al, 1996). In another study, parents of children with Sickle Cell Disease were trained to perform a nightly massage on their children. The parents were provided with simple training and supervision. This practice of massage therapy resulted in several positive changes in the children affected by Sickle Cell Disease. These benefits included a decrease in anxiety, depression, pain and a greater ability to function normally (Lemanek et al, 2009, State University College of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia).

Whether used on its own, or as part of a child's individual treatment plan, massage therapy can provide much needed relief from the symptoms of anxiety. As with any new treatment, your healthcare practitioner should be contacted prior to beginning any course of treatment.


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Looking for expert advice and tips to help improve your child's health? Find answers to all your questions about infant massage certification training, massage for children and pediatric massage therapy at http://www.liddlekidz.com . NCBTMB approved trainer, Tina Allen, founder of leading children's health and nurturing touch organization Liddle Kidz Foundation, shares over ten years of expertise working with children and families.