What is a Starlight Massage:

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Like a star, a child is a beacon of hope for the future. They are a shining light that guides the way for a better tomorrow. A Starlight Child (all children) are symbols of positivity, purity, happiness and complete joy. Their loving angelic faces inspire all of us to be better and do better in life, especially when it comes to taking care of them as well as ourselves, for they bring the best out of each of us. 

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Being a parent is not easy, nor do our Starlight children come with manuals, which in some cases would be very helpful. As a parent, we try to our best to give our children a better life, a better opportunity for their futures and for a brighter tomorrow.  But unfortunately, not even out Starlight children are exempt from the stresses of this world. More and more children are going through anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, unhealthy eating habits and sometimes our Starlight children turn to drugs and/or alcohol to cope with day-to-day life. 

 

This can be both stressful and overwhelming to both the parent(s) and child. Here at Healing Hands Of Estacio, we came up with the Starlight Massage to aid and assist all Starlight Children, being a mother of Starlight Child as well as a Sunflower Child, I can completely relate and understand the hardships of wanting to help my child with his anxiety. 

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The Starlight Massage was designed for all children that are struggling with ADHD, ADD, Gastrointestinal problems, anxiety, depression, stress, assist in refocusing the mid, etc. This massage differs from the Sunflower Massage, for it is designed for children that are not on the spectrum, as a Sunflower Child might need more assistance and understanding and additional care.

 

 There is a common misconception that massage therapy is unnecessary and insignificant to a child’s development. On the contrary, it provides numerous benefits for children with certain health conditions or those looking to improve performance at school and in extracurricular activities.

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We provide 2 different types of sessions to choose from when booking for your child: The Pediatric Neuromuscular Therapy and The Pediatric Relaxation Massage. The Pediatric Neuromuscular Therapy session focuses on relieving any physical pain the child might have, rehab from muscle/ligament injury, recovery from sports injury/rough playing with friends, etc. The Pediatric Relaxation Massage focuses on soothing the nervous system, enhances calmness in your child, helps reduce anxiety, promotes an increase for better sleep quality and is an introduction to healthy habits.

 

Top Benefits of Massage Therapy for Starlight Children

1. Stimulates Growth and Development

Massage therapy has been used for years to aid the development of premature infants; however, it can also help older children grow and develop as well. Touch helps develop a child’s senses and improve their feelings of acceptance and safety.

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2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

During a massage, the body releases dopamine while decreasing cortisol. As a result, children who receive regular massages are more likely to feel less stressed and anxious at school.

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3. Helps Manage ADHD

ADHD is a common childhood disorder, and massage therapy can be beneficial for parents looking for a natural solution to help manage it. Studies suggest that massage therapy can improve mood, increase focus and decrease fidgeting in children with ADHD.

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4. Increases Sleep Quality

Feelings of relaxation are an expected side effect of getting a massage. Many children report that the added peace and calm helps increase their sleep quality and gives them more energy to concentrate at school and in extracurricular activities.

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Not only will a massage help a Starlight Child, it will also help reduce their stress and increase their relaxation, assist in reducing pain and possible muscle soreness and tension, help improve blood circulation, energy and alertness, it assists in lowering one's heart rate and blood pressure and importantly improves their immune function.

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How Massage Therapy for Children Works

Performing a massage on a Starlight Child is not the same as performing one on an adult. Here at Healing Hands Of Estacio, we will follow the “Five P’s” when providing a child with a pediatric massage: Permission, Pace, Pressure, Positioning, and Parents.

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Permission: We will always ask the child if they are willing to be touched and receive a massage. We will stop if your child isn’t ready or becomes tense during the massage.

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Pace: While adults may relish in an hour-long massage or longer, children will not. We will provide children with a massage increments/times depending on the child's age and needs.

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Pressure: That deep tissue might feel great to you, but it’s much too strong for most children. Children will guide us during this session on what feels comfortable to find the correct pressure.

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Positioning: Typically, children can be fully clothed if they are uncomfortable with getting undressed and when getting a massage, which lets us try a variety of positions to find the one that works best for your child.

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Parents: We will talk to you about your child’s needs, answer any questions you may have, teach you simple techniques to try at home, and explain why they recommend or perform a specific movement.