Lessons in Baby Massage: 12 Most Frequently Asked Questions

At its most basic, a baby massage offers precious moments to emotionally connect with your infant, relaxing you and baby. Since touch is the most developed sense for an infant, it is not surprising that early massages have the ability to stimulate nerve centres and improve immune system function. There are overwhelming scientific evidence in support of baby massage that the negatives are difficult to find.

We have put together 12 most frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the subject and provided answers from qualified instructors.

QUESTIONS ON BABY MASSAGE

1: Will I hurt my baby?

Use firm, slow strokes. For guidance on how much pressure to place on infant, look at baby cues to help. Not too hard, but too light might be ticklish.

2: At what stage should you start a massage?

Massages start at the new-born stage, as soon as the mother feels comfortable performing the technique.

3: When is the ideal time to massage your baby?

When your baby is in the quiet alert state is a good time for a massage. Other suggestions are after a bath, and at least half an hour after a feed.

4: Should I massage an ill baby?

Do not massage an ill or distressed baby. Always look for cues that indicate abnormal behaviour.

5: Should I begin with a full head-to-toe massage?

No. Perform massages in limited sessions until baby can tolerate a full massage, both anteriorly (toward the front) and posteriorly (toward the back).

6: What type of oil should I use and how much?

Several types of oil may be used in generous amounts. Simply pour warm oil into the palm of the hand and rub them together for even distribution. Recommended oils are: Organic vegetable/nut oils (example-olive, sunflower, sweet almond, sesame). These are unscented, and will not interfere with phototherapy.

7: What if baby seems to always resist massage?

Hold your baby gently, but firmly (using containment holds), until they gradually relax and accepts the massage.

8: Is baby massage helpful with a colicky baby?

Yes! Babies who have their tummies and legs rubbed along with knee pressing exercises (into the tummies) receive fantastic success rates. Rub their tummy in a circular clockwise direction.

9: Can a massage help with asthma and skin disorders?

Touch Research Institute conducted studies that show the benefits of massage for both these conditions. Parents can learn the technique from qualified instructors.

10: Do I need to learn technical strokes or can I just gently rub baby all over?

Massage strokes are specific in generating a scientific result. Once you learn the techniques you will begin to see the difference. The strokes incorporate Swedish, Indian and Reflexology components.

11: How often should baby be massaged?

Massages can be done more than once per day; some experts suggests up to 3 times a day. The ideal amount is very personal to your baby, you and family circumstances.

12: What should be the first steps before starting a massage?

Gather all needed supplies. Ensure that the room is warm. Begin the massage when your baby is comfortable. Start at one of the extremities, and remember not to overtire baby.

Baby massage is comforting and improves all-over circulation and encourages growth. Begin the habit of asking permission from your baby before starting a session, as this will become an essential part of the routine later on.

Margaret Le Monnier has over 20 years-experience as a qualified natural health professional in the UK. She is well known for giving intuitive and expert advice to people regarding natural approaches to correcting a wide range of illnesses and conditions. Margaret is now writing articles for a website solely devoted to bringing a comprehensive range of natural health advice to everyone. To find out more about baby massage visit her website at Natural Health 4 Life.

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Ashiatsu Massage: A Modern Technique With Ancient Roots

ByIvy Hultquist

Ashiatsu massage with overhead bars has not been practiced on a widespread basis until recently. The roots and history of ashiatsu, or barefoot massage, go back further than one might think.

Barefoot Massage is Nothing New!

Before we had memory foam padded massage tables and portable massage bars, there were other massage practitioners using their feet to perform massage therapy all over the world.

Is it an Eastern or Western Technique?

In the Kerala region of India, home of Ayurveda, a practice called "Chavutti Thirumal" is believed to be the one of the earliest ancestors of ashiatsu. "Chavutti" means foot and leg, and "Thirumal" means massage. Chavutti Thirumal practitioners use generous amounts of oil on the body and a single rope hung from the ceiling for balance.

This region of India is the home of the ancient art of Kalaripayattu, a martial art ancestor to Kung Fu, and Kathakali, a classical style of dance. Students of Kathakali and Kalaripayattu have used foot massage techniques (e.g. Chavutti Thirumal) to make their bodies supple and flexible.

Although it is rare, there are a few massage professionals in the United States that practice this ancient form of barefoot massage.

Chavutti Thirumal spread to surrounding countries and continents of Asia. There, it was combined with the study of meridians and the ancient practice of shiatsu. ("Shiatsu" translates to "finger pressure" ("shi" meaning finger).

When broken down, the word "ashi" means foot and "atsu" means pressure.

Around this same time, there were also many forms of barefoot Thai massage that developed from Chavutti Thirumal. Barefoot techniques are still a common staple in most Thai massage sessions.

In the mid/late 1990's Ruthie Piper developed a trademarked form of ashiatsu. This trademarked form is called Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy™, or AOBT. She began training practitioners in the United States. Although she was not the first barefoot massage therapist in the US, she is credited with the recent, widespread growth of ashiatsu techniques. She trained Michelle Mace-Lambert of Barefoot Masters, who also conducts Ahh...Shiatsu™ training.

Today, there are many other massage therapists practicing un-trademarked forms of ashiatsu, barefoot, or gravity assisted massage. These practitioners use this modality to protect their hands and bodies, as well as provide a fantastic massage for clients.

Ashiatsu massage, unlike most other barefoot methods, is performed on the western-friendly massage table instead of a floor mat. The massage table set up allows clients to put their face down comfortably in a face rest (not off to the side). Since ashiatsu is performed on the table, overhead bars are needed for balance. Other barefoot practitioners may utilize physical therapy walking bars, a staff, ropes from the ceiling, ropes across the ceiling, stools, or benches.

Ivy Hultquist is a licensed massage therapist and massage CEU provider offering several courses, including a home study course for ashiatsu barefoot massage. She also writes a blog about ashiatsu and other barefoot massage techniques.

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Sports Massage: New Study Shows Positive Benefits of Massage Therapy Treatment on Athletes

ByPenny Q Jones

A new scientific study shows that sports massage provides anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing benefits. Offering healing relief for pros and recreationists alike, massage therapy now has empirical evidence illustrating its advantages for the treatment of athletes.

Anecdotal and experiential evidence have long shown that massage therapy can provide healthful benefits to both amateur and professional athletes. Until recently, there has been little scientific research performed to confirm these findings. However, with a new study published in the February 1 edition of Science Translational Medicine (online), there is now empirical data supporting the long-held belief that massage techniques can provide relief following strenuous physical activity.

This study, a collaboration between the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario), involved a comparative analysis of muscle biopsies performed on several male athletes, with samples taken prior to exercise and following exercise. Using one leg as a control, the other leg was massaged; both legs were then biopsied after 10 minutes of massage treatment and again following a 2.5-hour rest period.

Utilizing genetic analysis, the researchers found an increase in the biogenesis of mitochondria (energy-producing parts of a cell) as well as a decrease in inflammatory cytokines. As the study contributor who performed the genetic analysis, Buck Institute Dr. Simon Melov, noted, massage therapy's pain reducing benefits may hinge on the same mechanisms as traditional anti-inflammatory medication.

Since the advent of therapeutic massage, people have known that the treatment can create pain relief as well as relaxation, but it hasn't been well understood precisely why. This new research from the Buck Institute is helping to shed light on just why seeing a massage therapist feels so good.

Particularly with situations of muscle exhaustion and athletic stress, the body is generating a great deal of inflammatory cytokines, which can lead to the muscle soreness you experience a day or two later (delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS). By using sports massage treatment to suppress those inflammatory responses, you can help to reduce that muscle discomfort.

So the next time someone tells you that massage is relaxing but not physically beneficial, or someone tries to claim that the pain-relieving aspect of sports massage is all in your head, refer them to the Buck Institute study. With clear evidence that massage therapy works to reduce inflammatory cytokines and boost the creation of mitochondria in muscle cells, we now know for sure that massage treatment is scientifically beneficial to your body following intense exercise. Additional research will be needed to expand our understanding of how and why massage provides healthful benefits beyond sports treatment, but for now, there is finally empirical data to support massage therapy's pain relieving results.

Penny Jones is an avid runner and a massage therapy enthusiast. She is also an online marketing professional for Prospect Genius, offering affordable search engine optimization for local businesses.

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