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There are many benefits of massage for kids. Contrary to popular belief, massages aren’t only for adults anymore. This natural approach promotes emotional and physical well-being in children.
Touch is a fundamental human need no matter what age, whether it’s holding a newborn for the first time or comforting the elderly. During a massage, massage therapists focus on relieving muscle tension and promoting relaxation through touch. This can benefit individuals of all ages, including children.
In this article, let’s explore massage therapy for children, focusing on the top child massage benefits. From enhancing their physical health to boosting emotional well-being, child massage offers a range of advantages worth looking into and understanding.
Can Children Get A Massage?
Yes, children can get a massage. In fact, it can benefit them in many ways. Massage therapy for children is similar to the one adults get, but it’s tailored to the comfort levels and specific needs of kids. Licensed therapists will use gentle techniques to make sure that kids have a safe and soothing experience.
A massage helps children relax, ease their anxiety and stress, improve their sleep quality, alleviate physical discomfort, and improve their overall well-being. There are a number of variables that can affect the right age of children to receive a massage, like age, health, diet, and development. While massages can be given to any child practically from birth, it’s especially beneficial to youngsters between 8 and 16 years old. These are the ages when children go through growth spurts, when their bones grow faster than their muscles.
Massage therapy is generally safe and beneficial for kids of all ages. However, if you have concerns, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider before giving your child his first massage.
Best Child Massage Benefits
Like adults, massage therapy can help improve the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of children. Let’s explore the top benefits of massage for kids.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Stress isn’t just an adult issue. Kids feel stressed and anxious, too! There’s pressure from school, social struggles, family expectations, etc. So how can a massage help? Massage therapy helps children relax and release tension. It promotes the release of endorphins, the body’s natural stress-busters. They are also known as the happy hormones.
In addition, when children are relaxed, they have a clearer mind, better focus, and improved productivity! Overall, a healthier, happier kid!
Boosts Immune System
Kids are naturally curious, so it’s natural for them to explore their surroundings. They learn from touching, smelling, and tasting things. While there’s nothing wrong with this, the one thing that we can’t change is their exposure to germs. That’s why a strong immune system is important.
Our immune system acts as the body’s natural shield against germs and diseases. According to a recent study, one’s immune system is strengthened through regular massages.
As mentioned, a massage can help reduce stress. Chronic stress increases the risk of many health problems so when stress is managed, the immune system grows stronger. Massages also increase blood circulation. As a result, the body receives nutrients and flushes out toxins more efficiently, leading to a strengthened immune system.
Promotes Growth and Development
Like I said, massage therapy boosts a child’s immune system. That alone helps promote their growth and development. Younger kids benefit from this more, as sensory and psychological inputs are crucial for newborns and infants’ early development and well-being.
A study found that massages help promote weight gain and development as well as prevent other growth complications in preterm babies.
Improves Sleep Quality
Speaking of a child’s growth and development, sleep is one of the most crucial factors that contribute to it. Good quality sleep is essential for a child’s overall health and wellness. A 2015 study says that almost 40 percent of kids in the US have insomnia or are sleep deprived. Blame it on the constant connectivity to their social media, games, and videos.
Insufficient sleep in children can lead to cognitive impairment, behavioral issues, emotional problems, social difficulties, and issues with physical health, growth, and development. What massage therapy does is it helps stabilize their sleep hormone levels.
Additionally, massages promote deep relaxation which helps the body prepare for sleep. It also relaxes the muscles, making it easier to sleep.
Enhances Emotional Well-Being
In kids, massage therapy isn’t just about growing strong – it’s about feeling good, too! Regular massages can instantly lift a child’s spirits, level out their mood swings, ease anxious thoughts, boost their confidence, and improve their emotional resilience. Remember, a relaxed child is a happy child!
Conclusion
There are many benefits of massage for kids, both mentally and physically. If you feel great after a massage session, so will your child. Now it’s time to include massage therapy in your whole family’s wellness routine, so you can journey to health and wellness together.