subject: Massage Therapy For Children With Learning Disabilities And Autism [print this page] Massage therapy and occupational therapy are often used hand-in-hand in helping children with special needs such as learning disabilities (LD) and autism in places like Clearwater, Oldsmar and Trinity, FL. Most of the massage techniques used for occupational therapy is based on basic body massage techniques such as Swedish massage and deep tissue massage. Occupational therapists and massage therapists have been collaborating in various programs in order to provide better support for individuals with special needs.
Children with LD or autism can either be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to stimuli (visual, audio, etc.) Conditions such as Autism often means that the individual needs to reach his or her threshold of stimulation in order to become balanced and function. Catering to this need to extra stimuli would often come from occupational therapy or massage therapy provided by qualified Special Education practitioners and yes, sometimes, massage therapists. The act of pressing, stroking, squeezing, and tapping derived from body massage techniques have been observed to help children with special conditions in reaching a more balanced and calm level in order for them to function in school, at home, and even the community.
There are basically 4 basic massage strokes used for various body massage treatments. They are: (1) effleurage, which are long, soothing, strokes that are regularly used during occupational therapy massage sessions; (2) petrissage, which is the kneading and rolling motion on the skin. This stroke is also a useful technique for hyspo-sensitive persons. These two strokes are a staple during Swedish massage and deep tissue massage. (3) Friction strokes make use of the thumb, fingertips, and knuckles. This stroke can be seen during sports massage as well as deep tissue massage. The last massage therapy stroke is called (5) tapotement, which is a fast, tapping motion. This can also be seen in sports massage and is also highly useful for therapy with children with LD and autism.
Soothing and stimulating touch does a lot of good for ones autonomic nervous system, whether they have a special condition or they are just regular massage therapy clients. Studies on techniques like Swedish massage have proven that the treatment has a sedating effect leading to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Half of the autonomic nervous system, controlling involuntary actions such as heartbeat and respiration is what comprises of the said system; and having a positive external stimulus like a Swedish massage can help in the proper function of these systems in the body.
Aside from the mental and neurological benefits of massage therapy, there are also the more popular positive effects of the treatment. Since conditions like LD and autism have comorbidities such as body pain and compromised immune systems, greater need for massage therapy is emphasized. These benefits include decreased pain, increased range of motion and reduction of scar tissue. Often, the desired results can also be achieved through tens units, ultrasound machines or electric stimulation.
You can find certified and reliable clinics around Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, and Trinity, FL through the internet.
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