When you think about getting a massage, you would probably consider it an adult self-care activity. However, do you know it has potential benefits for children, too? It’s true! Massages aren’t just for adults but for people of all ages. Given that children are active in their bodies and minds, paediatric massage is a welcome and effective method for physical and mental recovery.
What is Paediatric Massage?
Paediatric massage also referred to as Paediatric Massage 小儿推拿, is offered as a complementary therapeutic treatment aimed at improving children’s mental and physical well-being. Common treatment conditions include digestive, respiratory, vision, sleep, and psychological disorders.
What You Should Consider Before Treatment
While paediatric massage therapy offers various benefits, the person receiving the treatment is still your child at the end of the day. At Thomson Chinese Medicine, we offer paediatric massage 小儿推拿, a specialised form of massage therapy designed specifically for children aged 6 months to 6 years old. Our skilled physicians examine pulse and tongue conditions to gain a deeper understanding of your child's needs.
What is Paediatric Massage?
Paediatric massages offer a holistic approach to paediatric care. By gently stimulating acupoints along the meridian on children’s delicate skin, a TCM physician can enhance energy circulation, relieve discomfort, and promote overall wellness in your child. In fact, TCM paediatric massages are ideal for treating the following conditions.
Condition #1: Digestion
Common digestive issues, such as constipation or diarrhoea, indigestion, and stomach flu, can affect your child’s nutrient absorption and slow down their growth and development. TCM paediatric massages focus on acupoints along the Spleen and Stomach meridian channels, stimulating these areas to effectively boost digestion.
Condition #2: Respiratory Issues
As children’s bodies are still developing, their immune systems tend to be weaker and more prone to respiratory issues, such as allergies, the common cold, and flu. Paediatric massages can help build up their body’s resistance against these diseases, regulating their Qi and Blood flow to the desired levels in the organ systems to block out harmful pathogens causing young children to fall ill.
Condition #3: Myopia
Given their greater exposure to digital screens, vision-related conditions are becoming more prevalent in young children. When combined as a regular treatment method, TCM paediatric massages and herbal packs can help stem the development of vision issues like myopia at its early stages.
Condition #4: Hyperactivity and ADHD
From a TCM perspective, conditions like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and hyperactivity are associated with bodily imbalances. Through regular intervention, children’s massages can target specific acupoints to help restore balance, calm the nerves, and enhance children’s ability to focus.
Other Benefits Of Paediatric Massages
Unlike traditional massages, paediatric massages don’t usually reach the realm of deep tissue massage. Instead, the focus is on stimulating physical and mental healing, with long, gentle strokes to manipulate the muscles and calm your child down, thus promoting stress and pain relief. Some of the ways a paediatric massage may impact their overall wellness include:
Benefit #1: Promote Growth And Development
Research has demonstrated that paediatric massages may stimulate growth and development for babies and young children. It is thought that TCM paediatric massage therapy may also prevent future growth complications in children.
Benefit #2: Alleviate Stress And Anxiety
Like adults, children experience anxiety and stress, too. Therapeutic, child-friendly massage techniques can help calm their minds and help them relax. Through paediatric massage, your child also learns positive, healthy ways to manage stress at a young age.
Benefit #3: Improve Sleep Quality
Paediatric massages can help regulate sleep-inducing hormones, thus improving your child’s sleep quality.
Massages aren’t meant only for adults. In fact, paediatric massage offer various physical and mental health benefits to children of all ages. If you are interested in learning more about our TCM paediatric massage therapy, do not hesitate to consult our licensed TCM practitioners. Our practitioners will ensure your child receives the best care tailored to their needs, making sure they feel relaxed and comfortable throughout their treatment sessions. Contact our clinic to book an appointment with us today.
References:
https://www.ogawaworldusa.com/blogs/health-wellness/what-is-childrens-massage
Physician Jun Negoro
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Thomson Chinese Medicine (TCM Paragon Medical Centre) and 1 other
English, Mandarin
Alliance MediNet
