One of the beautiful things about having a community life ours, we are able to find the right provider for everything! Specifically for massage therapy work! We were introduced to Sydney Kranz of Triangle Pediatric Massage through mutual friends, and are so glad to know her!
The world of pediatric massage is small, but oh so important and it is great to know that there is an amazing provide right here in Cary! I became interested in pediatric massage when I was in massage school and learned it was an option! I spent several years in high school and college working with individuals with disabilities, mainly children with diagnoses of being on the Autism spectrum. I was curious then about if there were ways to help them integrate their sensory systems through body movement and touch since so much of the stimming behaviors manifested physically, like flapping.
When I learned that my massage license would allow me to work with children, I was excited! I did my initial training and certification in pediatric massage in and began working with a few children in the Orlando area who were kids of my friends or clients. Pediatric massage is massage and touch therapy that is specifically adapted for children and teenagers.
Sessions are designed to be age appropriate and to take into account the child's individual needs and personality, developmental age, family goals for the session, proper education of boundaries, and to be fun.
Some obvious differences are that the majority of sessions take place on a yoga mat or body pillow with the child clothed. It's not spa day for kids! Some techniques may be similar to a "normal" massage, for lack of a better word, to address muscle spasms or imbalances, and other techniques are focused on calming and giving proprioceptive input to the nervous system. Parent education is also important to me because I want parents and caregivers to be empowered to care well for their children.
