Written By Michelle Gilbert, RMT, LDT, CPMT, CIMT, CIMI ~ Lymph Balance Centre

The stress that kids feel are one of the many reasons why pediatric massage is essential in their well being.

Adults sometimes forget that children feel the stress of others around them. Children also have
various pressures from school, sports and peers. When you are young feelings of stress can be
very overwhelming and can manifest into physical symptoms affecting mental and physical
health.

Pediatric Massage and Lymph Drainage Therapy can provide not only a safe and calm space for a
child to just be with no distractions, the therapy itself helps with many physical effects of stress.
Stress can wreak havoc on an adult body so when we think about a child’s brain and body still
developing and experiencing ongoing stress, this highlights the importance and benefits of
addressing these physical effects to help children’s health and resiliency in their everyday lives.
Engaging the sympathetic nervous “Fight or Flight” (SNS) system, stress causes the release of the
hormone cortisol. Sustained elevated cortisol levels can negatively impact the body at all stages.
With children, it can also have a negative impact on their development.

Negative, physical effects of stress for children can present as poor sleep, poor digestion and
nutrient absorption, upset stomach, weak immune system; chronic infections and congestion,
muscle tension and aches, headaches, poor concentration and memory.

With pediatric massage and lymph drainage techniques, the parasympathetic nervous “Rest and
Digest” system is engaged, releasing hormones such as natural pain killers; endorphins, and “feel
good hormones”; serotonin and oxytocin. All of which aide in decreasing pain, inducing deep
relaxation, calming inflammation, boosting the immune system, and increasing nutrient absorption
by stimulating the vagus nerve. It also helps in improving muscle and joint aches by helping the
blood and lymph circulate more efficiently through removal of stagnate fluid and toxins and
regeneration of tissues.

Each pediatric massage or lymph drainage session provides both parent and child a self care plan
transferrable to the home environment to provide consistency between treatments to help build
and maintain the child’s health and overall sense of well being.

To book your child’s De-Stress Massage or Lymph Drainage Therapy Session with our Pediatric
Massage and Lymph Drainage Therapist, Michelle Gilbert, call us today or book in online!!