What is a Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist (CPMT)?

A CPMT is a massage therapist who has received advance training to provide massage to children with a variety of health care needs. The training includes a variety of massage techniques for working with children with various physical, developmental, emotional, and mental challenges.

Why Pediatric Massage?

Many people think of massage therapy as a luxury and do not recognize the healthcare benefits associated with this noninvasive integrative intervention. For children and families living with and managing serious illness, pediatric massage is an essential and necessary component to provide comfort and quality of life.

Benefits of Massage for Children and Adolescents

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• Improved muscle tone

• Improved joint mobility and range of motion

• Improved respiratory function

• Improved sleep patterns

• Improved gastrointestinal function (regular bowel movements)

• Decreased anxiety

• Decreased stress

• Improved concentration and ability to stay on task

• Decreased pain

• Assists in the recovery from injuries and accidents

• Improved posture

• Helps to treat and prevent sports related injuries

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Benefits of Massage for Specific Conditions

Some of these conditions may require you to obtain permission from your child's primary health care provider prior to massage

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• Asthma: reduced hospitalizations, decrease in anxiety and stress hormone levels, improved peak air flow and pulmonary functions, possible reduction in need for inhalers

• ADHD: improved classroom behavior in the areas of the Conners Teacher Rating Scales on anxiety, daydreaming and hyperactivity

• Autism Spectrum: less stereotypical behavior and more on-task and social relatedness behavior during play observations, improved sleep patterns

• Cancer: release of serotonin and increase in natural killer cells, decreased anxiety and depression

• Cerebral Palsy: reduced spasticity, gained more muscle flexibility and motor function and had more positive social interaction

• Diabetes: improved compliance with insulin and food regulation, improved mean glucose levels, symptomatic improvement and reduced parent anxiety

• Down Syndrome: improved muscle tone and performance on motor tasks

• Fibromyalgia: reduced pain, depression and anxiety

• HIV: release of serotonin and increase in natural killer cells, decreased anxity and depression, increased weight gain, improved persformance on the Brazelton Newborn Scale

• Leukemia: increased white blood cell and neutrophil counts

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: decreased anxiety

• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): decreased anxiety, increased acceptance of touch, relaxation, possible decreased frequency of meltdowns and feeling overwhelmed

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Contraindications for pediatric massage include:

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• Fever/Temperature

• Acute infection, staph infection, illness or disease 

• Skin disorder/condition which may be contagious or cause inflammation (fungus, rashes, herpes)

• Open sores, wounds or lesions

• Recent immunization/vaccination (wait 48-72 hours)

• Life threatening medical condition

• Unhealed umbilical cord(tummy massage contraindicated)

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Blood clots or a blood condition

• Diarrhea or other sickness

• Inflammation

• High blood pressure

• Hernia

• Osteoporosis

• Varicose Veins

• Broken Bones

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

• Pain

• Lability

• Thrombocytopenia