Holistic Therapies
Research in the USA has shown that massage can alter brain patterns and offer therapeutic help for teenagers suffering from stress, anxiety and depression and also improves mental alertness.
The massage therapies offered to Bryngwyn; Coedcae; Glan-y-mor; St John Lloyd and Ysgol y Strade involve massaging either the hands & arms; face; feet & lower leg; head and/or neck and shoulders. Aromatherapy oils may also be used which can have a balancing, uplifting or calming effect. A guided visualisation is also be incorporated in with the treatment which takes the student on a therapeutic relaxing journey in their mind which together with the massage, creates a very powerful total mind/body relaxation session.
The sessions are timetabled during the school day but taking care to rotate the students so that they do not miss out on the same lessons every week.
The students have 20-25 minutes each in which they can totally relax both physically and mentally and this will in turn, help rebalance them emotionally, increase their self-worth and self-esteem.
Facts
The Touch Research Institute has made some 90 studies on the effects of massage on children and adults, among others in the following situations or illnesses:
- Bulimia and anorexia – more normal dopamine levels and improved behavior.
- Teen depression and/or aggression – lower levels of stress hormones, fewer symptoms of depression and decreased violence.
- Attention deficiencies – hyperactive children improve their attention span and concentration.
- Asthma – improved lung function.
- Autism – the children become more socially oriented than those in the control group.
- Burn injuries – a decrease in depression and anger reactions in association with painful treatment of the injury.
- CP in children – decreased muscular spasticity.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome – lower levels of stress hormones and fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Diabetes – lower blood sugar levels.
- Downs syndrome – better motor function and higher muscle tone.
- HIV infections – decreased stress, improved immune system.
- Elevated blood pressure – improved values.
- Furthermore, massage has proven effective in improving the ability to solve mathematical problems, which has been related to massage induced changes in the EEG pattern.
For more information visit http://www.miami.edu/touch-research
Glossary:
- DOPAMIN – a transmittor in the brain involved in its reward system and thereby with our moods.
- SEROTONIN – a transmittor in the central nervous system which affects several functions as sleep, appetite, sexual desire, mood, anxiety, capacity of thought and memory.
- LYMPHOCYTES – cells belonging to the body’s immune system. There are two types: the one forms antibodies against foreign substances while the other kills cells of a foreign type.
- OXYTOCIN – a hormone and transmittor substance which is released in pleasurable or enjoyable situations.
- CORTISOL – a hormone produced in the adrenal gland, secreted under high physical and psychological stress, trauma, anger and extreme temperatures