Cerebral Palsy and Massage Therapy
In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released
a study indicating that cerebral palsy affects about one in every
300 children. While the brain injury causing this disorder doesn't
grow progressively worse as the children enter their teen and adult
years, CP symptoms can change with age.
Whether your symptoms change for the better or worse, the
effects of cerebral palsy can be tough to live with. But massage
can help.
Massage for Children
A study by Maria Hernandez-Reif of preschool children with CP,
who received either massage or book-reading attention twice a week
for three months, revealed that those in the massage group were
showing improved range of motion and reduced spasticity by the end
of the study.
In addition, the massaged children showed improvement in their
fine and gross motor skills as well as in cognition, dressing and
even social interaction skills.
Benefits for Adults
While adults have already developed the skills they need,
massage can provide extra help in dealing with stress, depression
and anxiety -- all of which can come from living with cerebral
palsy.
At Massage Envy, our licensed and certified therapists are
experienced in providing the kind of professional massage therapy
that boosts your natural levels of serotonin and oxytocin along
with mood-lifting endorphins. The fact that massage can help reduce
muscular stiffness and soreness, while also enhancing relaxation
for improved sleep, is another reason to schedule today.