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March 24, 2005

Post-Surgical Pediatric Massage

Post-surgical massage can be performed once the client is comfortable enough to come and lie on a table. The area of the surgery should be avoided for six weeks or until their doctor says it is okay to work in the area.

One client brought their child for a massage three days following a tonsillectomy. The child complained of neck pain shortly after going home after the procedure. With children, it is important to clarify where they hurt because of limits in their ability to communicate. Having them point to where it hurts is very helpful. Amazingly, children are very clear in communicating HOW MUCH something is hurting them. Until they get used to massage and the way it should feel, they tend to be sensitive to the pressures of massage.

In this case, I found two areas of very inflamed muscle on either side of the child's neck at C2-C3 on the left side and at C2 on the right. A trail of knots extended above and below on the right and settled at the base of the skull. I gently massage the knots within the child's comfort level until the knots reduced in size. I then performed lymph drainage to mobilize any anesthesia that might have been been caught in the tight muscles. Finally, I performed craniosacral therapy to ease the last of the tension at the base of the skull.

Following the massage, the child's mother said it was the first time they had smiled in three days.

Posted by linda at March 24, 2005 10:29 PM