Kids Massage Therapy – What Are the Benefits?

jessicamangala
Nov 4
3 min read

Massage isn’t only for adults seeking relaxation or recovery; it can also be deeply restorative for children. This gentle therapy supports growing bodies and developing minds in powerful ways. Research shows it can calm the nervous system, ease digestive issues, improve focus, relieve pain, and provide comfort for children living with chronic conditions (PubMed Central, 2019).

At Realign Health Clinic, we believe regular, nurturing massage can help children to feel more balanced, confident, and connected. It’s a simple yet powerful way to support their overall well-being, helping them grow, thrive, and feel good from the inside out.

Calming Busy Minds

Children live in a whirlwind of energy, schoolwork, and social activities. Massage stimulates the Parasympathetic (rest and digest) Nervous System, lowering stress hormones like cortisol and promoting relaxation (PubMed Central, 2019). The result? Better sleep, calmer mornings, and a child who’s ready to face the day.

Enhancing Emotional and Psychological Wellbeing

Massage therapy offers well-documented benefits for children’s emotional health. Research shows that regular massage can help reduce feelings of aggression, anxiety, depression, and even symptoms of PTSD in children and adolescents (PubMed Central, 2019).

Through gentle touch and focused attention, massage helps kids feel safe, grounded, and emotionally supported, laying the foundation for long-term psychological resilience.

Boosting Focus and Attention

A calm body can help a child’s mind stay sharp. Massage has been shown to improve focus in children with attention challenges, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (PubMed Central, 2019).

Children who receive regular massage often become more attentive in class, sleep better, and show reduced hyperactivity. These benefits may be linked to increased vagal activity following massage, which lowers cortisol levels and supports improved concentration (PubMed Central, 2019).

Massage isn’t just a calming remedy for children, it’s a natural boost for concentration, learning, and mental clarity.

Soothing Digestive Issues

Abdominal massage is a gentle, effective way to ease common digestive problems in children, such as constipation or diarrhoea. Research shows that just 20 minutes of daily massage can relieve discomfort, reduce reliance on medications, and support healthy digestion (PubMed Central, 2019).

As a natural, non-invasive approach, massage stimulates the vagus nerve, helping children’s digestive systems work more efficiently (PubMed Central, 2019). Ultimately, it’s a gentle and nurturing remedy to help little tummies feel more comfortable.

Easing Pain and Discomfort

Massage can be a powerful natural tool to help children manage both acute and chronic pain. Research shows it can ease discomfort during hospital procedures, recovery from surgeries, and chronic conditions like juvenile arthritis or sickle cell disease (PubMed Central, 2019).

Children who receive regular massages report less pain, anxiety, and tension and often require fewer medical interventions after procedures such as cardiovascular surgery. Massage also helps children recovering from burns by reducing pain, itching, and distress while improving range of motion (PubMed Central, 2019).

The science behind it is fascinating: massage stimulates touch receptors that send soothing signals to the brain faster than pain signals, essentially “closing the gate” on discomfort. It also boosts serotonin and oxytocin, the body’s natural feel-good hormones, promoting calm and comfort (PubMed Central, 2019).

When incorporated into a child’s routine, gentle, consistent massage can promote healing, resilience and overall wellbeing.

Supporting Children with Chronic Illnesses

Massage can be a valuable, gentle support for children living with chronic illnesses such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, eczema, and cancer (PubMed Central, 2019).

Studies show that regular, age-appropriate massage can:

Improve lung function in children with asthma and cystic fibrosis, helping them breathe easier.
Support diabetes management by improving blood glucose control and encouraging compliance with daily routines.
Ease skin conditions like eczema, reducing redness, itching, and irritation when combined with topical treatments.
Reduce pain, anxiety, and nausea in children undergoing cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, while promoting better sleep.
Provide emotional benefits for both the child and their caregiver, helping reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing (PubMed Central, 2019).

By integrating massage into their care, children with chronic illnesses can experience both physical relief and emotional comfort, making everyday challenges easier to manage.

Respecting Consent and Autonomy

At Realign Health Clinic, every massage session is guided by the child’s comfort. We use child-friendly language, check in regularly, and allow them to say “stop” or “less pressure” whenever they need. This approach fosters trust, teaches bodily autonomy, and ensures a safe, positive experience.

Audrey, our dedicated massage therapist is known for her calm presence and gentle technique, she creates a supportive and welcoming space where children feel relaxed, nurtured and cared for.

A parent or responsible adult should always be present during the massage session to provide consent, and support open communication between the child and massage therapist.

Give your child the gift of calm, comfort, and focus with a professional massage. Book online or call 02 9560 1300 to schedule a time.