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For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.Using Swedish massage techniquesThe origins of Swedish massage can be traced to Per Henrik Ling (1776–1839), the “Father of Massage,” who cured himself of rheumatism with a brand of massage that he called medical gymnastics.
Today, a Swedish massage performed on an adult consists of specific strokes done in the following order:
1. Effleurage. These gliding strokes can be deep or superficial and help to warm the superficial muscles.
2. Petrissage. These strokes reach the deeper layers of muscle tissue by lifting the muscle.
3. Friction. By working with the fibers of the muscle, friction releases any scar tissue that may restrict movement.
4. Tapotement. These strokes include tapping or hacking the muscles and can either stimulate or sedate depending upon the rhythm and pressure used.
5. Vibration. This technique involves shaking or rocking the muscles to induce either a stimulating or sedating effect on the body.
6. Joint motion. Putting a joint through its complete range of motion helps alleviate any restrictions in movement.
With babies, you don’t need to use all the strokes of Swedish massage, and you may move the order of the strokes around. Slow, rhythmic strokes are the most soothing to a baby. For a very young infant, holding and rocking (a form of vibration) may be enough.
Being present and aware of your baby’s responses and needs will guide you in your choice of strokes.
Some strokes, if performed too vigorously, can be harmful to a baby; for example, you never want to use deep friction or heavy tapotement on an infant.
Any kind of contact with your infant — even just having him near your body — is the basis for beginning to massage your infant. As your baby gets older and more used to massage, he can tolerate more strokes, and you will be able to massage your baby from head to toe.
MassageThe goal of Swedish massage is to increase the circulation of blood and lymph fluids in the body. The fluids are pushed out of the muscle tissue, back into the circulatory system, and out of the body through the elimination process.
Toxic material (in the form of lactic acid) accumulates in our bodies — specifically in our muscle tissues — as a result of poor diet, overmedication, exercise, illness, or dehydration. This toxic material results in knots, trigger points (tender, painful spots located on a very tight muscle), adhesions (areas where muscle and fascia — which we define in a moment — adhere to one another), and scar tissue. These problems cause pain, discomfort, and restriction of movement. Injury and poor posture can put muscle tissue into spasm to protect the area from further harm, causing patterns of pain.
Massage therapy works the soft tissues of the body so they can function optimally. Massage therapy is the only form of bodywork that addresses the soft tissue specifically, putting the body back into homeostasis (balance).
Consider this analogy: Think of the body as a sweater. If you pull one corner of the sweater, it changes the shape of the entire sweater. Massage puts the soft tissue — your sweater — back into its proper shape.
The body is lined with fascia, which is like a netting that holds everything in place. Keeping the integrity of the fascia is one of the main goals of massage therapy. Injury, adhesions, scar tissue, illness, disease, and spasms all pull on the fascia, resulting in stretching the sweater out of shape.
Preparing yourself mentallyBaby massage is a wonderful form of touch for babies of all ages. Even babies in utero can benefit from massage.
No matter how old your baby is, be genuine, present, and attentive with him. Massaging your baby without intention is, frankly, a waste of time. Intention is simple, but it requires sincerity, focus, and presence. You can establish intention by saying something like, “I am here for you my little one, to love you, to care for you, to make you feel comfort and love.” Be sure you are fully present as you say the words; infuse them with feeling and sincerity.
Most of us don’t realize how often we detach ourselves from the world. While we sit in the presence of others, we spend a lot of time drifting off or becoming distracted. This is so common it is regarded as normal. Unfortunately, our interaction with others suffers silently; our connections are compromised.
You will find this to be true when you are challenged to stay 100 percent present with your baby during massage. Breathe deeply, powerfully, and steadily, and project love toward and into your baby as you massage her. Keep your entire attention focused on your presence and interaction with your baby. This is a challenge, but it is completely within your capability. With practice, you will quickly become more aware, more regular in your breathing, and more focused.
Working with a premature babyA study conducted by Touch Research Institute in 1986 showed that premature infants who receive some kind of touch in the hospital gain up to 47 percent more weight than those who don’t. The sooner premature babies gain weight, the sooner they are able to come home.
If you have a premature baby, all you need to do to bring massage into his life is to touch him with your finger. Believe it or not, just the touch of your finger stimulates his growth and development.
Being touched increases circulation in any area on your baby’s body. Increased circulation is physically stimulating, as well as encouraging to overall growth and good health. Gentle massage is a basic and loving method to help your preemie along. It is also a great way to bring physical connection into your baby’s world. Watch your baby react in wonder and pleasure, and you’ll know you’re on the right track.
Massaging newborns and infantsHolding, rocking, and gently stroking are usually enough to create an attachment and calm and soothe your newborn baby. If your baby is crying, remember to maintain a deep, self-nurturing, steady breathing. This prevents you from becoming stressed and overwhelmed, which makes it easier for your baby to relax.
As your baby grows older and is able to tolerate more touch and stimulation, you will be able to use the massage techniques we show you later in the book. Even if you have just started to massage your infant, have fun, and don’t be afraid to experiment!
Touching your toddlerWhen your baby is no longer a baby, you can add more strokes to your repertoire depending on your baby’s attention and tolerance level. If you have been massaging your toddler since infancy, you will know her needs for touch very well by this point. You can increase the length and frequency of your sessions. Don’t be surprised when she begins to ask you for a massage!
If you haven’t been massaging your young one up to this point, it’s not too late to begin. It’s also not too late for your toddler to reap the benefits of baby massage. You can use this time to strengthen your bond, teach her how to relax, and soothe her hardworking muscles!
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For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.