Pediatric Therapies

Pediatric Therapies

Pediatric therapies require different approaches, techniques and considerations than what would be offered to adults. For example, an important consideration for CranioSacral Therapy is that many of the bones in the skull are in multiple pieces at birth, and may not fully fuse until we are well into our teens. As another example, Pediatric Massage recognizes that children’s skin is more porous, fragile and thinner than the skin of an adult. Likewise, children have more touch receptors per square centimeter, so they can be easily overstimulated by touch.

Pediatric Therapies at The Roots of Health are provided by Rachel Benbow, LMT, MLIS who has specialized training in Pediatric CranioSacral Therapy (through the Upledger Institute) and is certified in Pediatric Massage and Massage for Autistic Children (through Tina Allen's Liddle Kids Foundation). Rachel has also produced award winning research in the field of massage therapy and autism.

General Considerations

All pediatric clients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during a session.
Please bring familiar items from home for your child for comfort and/or play. Examples, a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, toys, activity book, music, etc.

Pediatric CranioSacral Therapy (ages birth to 18 years):

Sessions last 60 minutes and cost $100. A five (5) session New Client Introductory Package (cost $450) is required of all new pediatric clients. Similar to Occupational Therapy, the first few sessions, in addition to therapy work, focus on building rapport and trust between the pediatric client and the therapist. Trust is very valuable for facilitating therapeutic progress. Changes in the client may be noticed after the first session, but, depending on the individual and their condition, it may take multiple sessions before changes are observed.

If, after the initial 5 sessions, the therapist determines that the client does not need or is not able to tolerate a full 60 minute session, sessions may be reduced to 30 minutes (at $60 per session). During the initial 60 min sessions, if a child does not use the full 60 minutes the rest of the session may be used to treat the care giver who is present. Please note, the session is for the child, and the child’s therapy time is never to be undercut for anyone else to receive therapy work.

All sessions are performed with the client wearing their normal clothes.

Infant is in a deep still point sleep while Rachel is working on a hyoid restriction in the neck.

Pediatric Massage (ages 2-18 yrs):

Sessions last 30 minutes and cost $60. A five (5) session New Client Introductory Package is required of all new pediatric clients. Similar to Occupational Therapy, the first few sessions, in addition to therapy work, focus on building rapport and trust between the pediatric client and the therapist. Trust is very valuable for facilitating therapeutic progress. Changes in the client may be noticed after the first session, but, depending on the individual and their condition, it may take multiple sessions before changes are observed.

Children may receive massage with their regular clothes on, or with a bathing suit. It is very important that the child dresses as they are most comfortable, and that they feel no pressure regarding their attire. If the child would like to wear a bathing suit, please have them wear it under their clothes before arriving for the session.

Meditation Resources for Kids

BOOKS:

"Sitting Still Like A Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents)," by Eline Snel.

This is a book that comes with an audio CD. It is an excellent resource for mindfulness meditation for children, and includes all sorts of ideas, activities, and meditations.

ONLINE GUIDED MEDITATIONS:

Happy Minds - Meditation and Sleep Stories: A YouTube channel for children (and adults) to imagine, relax, dream and have fun while also cultivating healthy minds, quality sleep and positive self-esteem. "We provide guided meditations, sleep meditations, sleep stories and music, mindfulness meditation, bedtime stories for kids and positive affirmations for young people. We design our quality content to empower children to believe in themselves and prepare them for a high vibrational life in hearts and minds."

New Horizons - Meditation and Sleep Stories: A YouTube channel with many creative meditations for both adults and kids to help bring focus or sleep. The meditations to are designed to help you (or your child) to heal, relax or to just to whisk you off to a place of peace and tranquility.

Cosmic Kids Zen Den: A fun YouTube series about mindfulness for kids aged 5+. From the makers of Cosmic Kids Yoga, starring Jaime.

Yoga Resources for Kids

Cosmic Kids Yoga: "Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world."

Lots of fun yoga videos, all with different story themes—from adventures with various animals like “Arnold the Ant,” and “Pedro the Penguin,” to familiar story lines like “Alice in Wonderland,” “Minecraft,” and “Star Wars.” It is a great way to get your kids mind and body involved with yoga, while having fun with them in the comfort of your own home. GREAT RESOURCE!!!