Pediatric Diabetes: Massage As An Alternate Therapy

Copyright (c) 2013 Liddle Kidz Foundation Infant and Children's Pediatric Massage

Roughly 1 in every 400 children and teens have diabetes leaving many families devastated at the news of a diagnosis. Many parents wish the diagnosis was their own, and on their search for Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) these parents find massage as one of the top choices. Massage can be the light during the dark time of diagnosis and provide assistance in long-term treatment.

Injection site discomfort is one of the biggest complaints for those who must receive an injection on a daily basis, many times leaving the area hard or rough. Studies have found providing massage on the injection site for roughly three minutes after injection helped improve insulin absorption later as well as skin elasticity in the long term. Another study that focused on children with diabetes found that after 1 month of parent provided full-body massage, children's glucose levels decreased from an average of 158 to 118 mg/dl. Not surprisingly, pediatric massage therapy also assisted in reducing parent and child anxiety and depression levels.

Massage has long been beneficial for both the provider and recipient, but especially when it comes to caregiver and child. Parents can begin massage with their child during infancy which provides many benefits including facilitating a stronger family bond. This massage time can provide a time for you to sit down with your child, discuss their day or any anxiety they may have. This reduction in stress can be crucial during periods of high anxiety such as stressful visits to the doctor or hospital and daily injection times.

This important relaxation response from massage therapy has been linked to better control of counter-regulatory stress hormones which permits the body to use insulin more effectively. Massage can stimulate better blood movement around the body, which may improve circulation and may aid in combating diabetic neuropathy and other diabetic-related complications. The improved circulation was shown through a trial of diabetic patients who suffered from diabetic neuropathy of the lower limbs. Massage was used every two days on the patients and the results showed improvement in 56% of those studied.

As with any new therapy, always talk with your child's pediatrician, or healthcare provider, before starting and consultation with a certified pediatric massage therapist is recommended. Many children's hospitals, and healthcare settings, now have pediatric massage therapists on staff, or can recommend you to a local pediatric massage therapist who can answer questions, provide information and help you get started.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com