National Children's Day: a pediatric massage experience

Today is National Children's Day, and yesterday was Child Health Day! This post is about a pediatric client who's loved every massage he's ever had (since age 3). original post

I had barely closed the door when he said, "READY!" 

He was three years old when he received his first massage on my table. He recently turned ten, and the years have not faded his enthusiasm. He absolutely loves massages! 

Around age five, this client was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His mom can see several benefits to him getting regular massages. She's seen an increase in the quality of his sleep, his manners/behavior in public and at home, and his ability to pay attention at school. 

At my office, children are treated like full-sized clients. I give kids the same amount of time when I'm listening and meeting their needs. This little guy likes ocean sounds, the smell of lavender, and firm pressure in his neck and shoulder areas. 

After the session, he always looks around the room and helps himself to a mint that I've left out for him. This time he grabbed the mint and lingered at my door. I caught him trying to walk with his foot inside a metal jewelry tray (shaped like a flip flop). It was exactly the size of his left foot, so we had a little chat about how it's not actually a flip flop. 

He enjoyed identifying which of his muscles were sore from playing video games by comparing his neck to the the anatomy charts outside my office door. I let him take a second piece of candy and thanked him for the massage he insisted on giving ME after his session. What a sweetheart! 

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my clinic on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

OLNEY MASSAGE

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

French toast, eggs, and three tools for de-stressing on National Relaxation Day

Pro tip: if a child misses the bus, bring him straight to school and sign him in.
DO NOT STOP FOR FRENCH TOAST AND EGGS. 

This back-to-school "adventure" happened in the fall of 2008. My sister was pregnant with twins, and I offered to help out for a few weeks (close to her delivery date).

Her five-year-old son was entering kindergarten. "I'm happy to help, Sis."
I thought, "How hard can it be to get a kid on the school bus every day?"

Alarm clock? Check. Clothes, crayons, jumbo backpack? Check. Picture order form? What time does the bus leave? Where did that order form go? Wait, does it need a signature? No, you can't wear your pajamas. Oh, no. The bus just left.

I thought it would be okay to make a morning of it. I was wrong! In my defense, the downtime was so much fun... and the French toast was delicious.

Next year the twins enter kindergarten. I'll be at the massage clinic.

--Cynthia


PS HAPPY NATIONAL RELAXATION DAY. 
No time or money to get a massage? Try these FREE relaxation resources:

1. FREE 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 minute meditations from Calm.com
2. FREE facial massage at-home tutorial from Olney Massage
3. FREE neck stretch videos from InjuryFix

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my clinic on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

OLNEY MASSAGE

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

Pediatric massage: benefits for a client with ADHD

This post is about a little guy who was VERY happy to enjoy some time on my table on Sunday afternoon:

I had barely closed the door when he said, "READY!" 

He was three years old when he received his first massage on my table. He recently turned ten, and the years have not faded his enthusiasm. He absolutely loves massages! 

Around age five, this client was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His mom can see several benefits to him getting regular massages. She's seen an increase in the quality of his sleep, his manners/behavior in public and at home, and his ability to pay attention at school. 

At my office, children are treated like full-sized clients. I give kids the same amount of time when I'm listening and meeting their needs. This little guy likes ocean sounds, the smell of lavender, and firm pressure in his neck and shoulder areas. 

After the session, he always looks around the room and helps himself to a mint that I've left out for him. This time he grabbed the mint and lingered at my door. I caught him trying to walk with his foot inside a metal jewelry tray (shaped like a flip flop). It was exactly the size of his left foot, so we had a little chat about how it's not actually a flip flop. 

He enjoyed identifying which of his muscles were sore from playing video games by comparing his neck to the the anatomy charts outside my office door. I let him take a second piece of candy and thanked him for the massage he insisted on giving ME after his session. What a sweetheart! 

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com