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Cathy Wong

Massage Therapy May Benefit Children with Autism

By , About.com Guide   March 2, 2010

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Thai massage may be helpful for children with autism, according to a recently published report. The study involved 60 children between the ages three and 10, all of whom were autistic.

For the study, all children received either Thai massage or sensory integration therapy for eight weeks. (An approach sometimes used in treatment of autism, sensory integration therapy aims to help regulate the patient's sensory responses. Many people with autism experience dysfunction in their sensory processing.) By the study's end, both treatment groups showed improvements in conduct problems and anxiety. In past studies, researchers have found that massage may also improve sleep, classroom concentration, and social interactions in people with autism.

In Thai massage, the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move the client into yoga-like stretches. Typically regarded as a more rigorous and energizing than other types of massage, Thai massage is often used to reduce stress, boost circulation, and improve flexibility.

Comments
March 7, 2010 at 1:18 am
(1) Ramin :

It’s great that modern science and traditional healing wisdom are joining hands together to see how to best benefit the people.

April 1, 2010 at 5:07 am
(2) fetty arisandy :

whether there side effects from activities pemijatan this? and how percent influence massage This for sufferer Autism?

June 5, 2011 at 3:00 am
(3) Ken Armstrong :

I liked your article, would like to see more of the same

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