amo_mea_filiis. Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 DS has recently been asking me to stretch him, a lot. He really likes stretching his heel cords, but his hamstrings and lower back hurt too much to get any real stretch out of them. I was thinking of taking him for a massage or learning how to massage him myself. His OT noticed that his gait is very tense or tight. We had only noticed an abnormal gait on the stairs, but now it's obvious when walking. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RainbowSprinkles Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yes, I would if I thought it would help him. I'd probably take him to a chiropractor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I'm a huge believer in the benefits of massage. I have given all my kids massages as children just because I think they're healthy. This year, my youngest will probably get a weekly 20" back massage by someone other than me simply because he doesn't want Mom doing it. LOL. Dh gets a 15" back massage fairly often just to help him stay in a deep sleep at night. If you want to learn the how-to's, a Google search should turn up some good resources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 WHy don't you have him try yoga? There are lots of free yoga clips at yogadownload.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yes. There's all these classes and things about how to do infant massage. I wish someone would do a "how to massage your older kid" guide or class or something. My boys would really benefit if I had a vague idea of what I was doing with backrubs on their little frames. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 WHy don't you have him try yoga? There are lots of free yoga clips at yogadownload.com :iagree: Great idea -- especially for a young one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yes. There's all these classes and things about how to do infant massage. I wish someone would do a "how to massage your older kid" guide or class or something. My boys would really benefit if I had a vague idea of what I was doing with backrubs on their little frames. Here's a site that might be helpful: http://austinmassagehealing.com/learn-to-plant-a-garden-on-your-childs-back My kids gave food names to the types of massage they liked. For instance, bacon strips are vertical massages along either side of the spine and eggs are circular massages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yes, I would massage him - don't worry, its not hard and you cant really make any mistakes- so just experiment. Maybe look up some you tubes...but its not so hard to massage, especially a child. My kids like a shoulder rub or a foot rub. Who doesn't? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 Thanks guys! I have a feel for back massage since my PT used to do it. YouTube is a great idea and thank you for the other link. Off to research. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 My dd has gotten monthly massages from a licensed massage therapist since she was 11 (she's a ballet dancer). We've found that working with a professional is so much better than trying to do a "home" massage. They have a knowledge of anatomy that far surpasses the ordinary person and even though your son's hamstrings may be tight, that may be caused by something other than his hamstrings and the massage needs to be focused somewhere else. My dd was having hip and leg issues that were caused by a super tight psoas muscle. However, because the psoas muscle is so deep within the body, it isn't something an ordinary person without training can locate and massage properly (not to mention it's quite painful for the patient). Her PT (not even her MT) had to do that one. It made a HUGE difference in my dd's health and overall ability to stretch and move like a dancer needs to. So, my advice would be to consult a professional, at least in the beginning (ask your ped for a recommendation), especially since you said your son is having gait problems. Those can be caused by a number of other things, including neuromuscular disorders that really need to be treated by a physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 My dd has gotten monthly massages from a licensed massage therapist since she was 11 (she's a ballet dancer). We've found that working with a professional is so much better than trying to do a "home" massage. They have a knowledge of anatomy that far surpasses the ordinary person and even though your son's hamstrings may be tight, that may be caused by something other than his hamstrings and the massage needs to be focused somewhere else. My dd was having hip and leg issues that were caused by a super tight psoas muscle. However, because the psoas muscle is so deep within the body, it isn't something an ordinary person without training can locate and massage properly (not to mention it's quite painful for the patient). Her PT (not even her MT) had to do that one. It made a HUGE difference in my dd's health and overall ability to stretch and move like a dancer needs to. So, my advice would be to consult a professional, at least in the beginning (ask your ped for a recommendation), especially since you said your son is having gait problems. Those can be caused by a number of other things, including neuromuscular disorders that really need to be treated by a physician. He was recently diagnosed as "probable cerebral palsy" but his brain MRI was too normal for the official label. He is under the care of a neuro, but nothing more than "follow up as needed". I have an appt coming up with his regular ped. Part of that appt is to see if we should stay with them, or if we need to find someone else. Staying with them includes the nurses keeping their mouths shut, and the Dr not looking at me like I'm crazy. (this ped has only known us for a year and was pretty much thrown in the middle of things when we moved. Not knowing ds and having seen his history, it does look a little crazy. I'm also used to a ped who knows that I know my kids, and will listen to me.) I'm going to ask his PT today if she can massage anything, and/or feel to see where I should focus. Next time we go to NY, my past PT will work on him and show me what to feel and do (nothing hat could hurt or injure, just basics). I also spoke to a friend of my father's who is a massage therapist and she gave me some basic pointers. She also offered to skype with us a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 If his gait is affected during normal walking, I would ask for the follow up. I would ask the neuro, the ped and the OT about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 absolutely. when you mention his gait, is he a toe-walker? that needs to be addressed or the achilles tendon is likely to shorten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 One of my girls has been seeing a massage therapist weekly since she was 8 or 9. She has scoliosis and it really helps her manage the pain from it. At this point, he is a friend. He now comes to our house with his kids. It is quite a party during her massage.:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Dh went to physical therapy for those same issues and after the PT identified what was and wasn't working, she had me come in and watch and then she helped me to stretch dh's tendons. She had plenty of handouts so I could remember what to do, then I bought a wonderful massage bar from Lush and it made it so much easier for me. I was impressed that she was willing to show me how to do all that, but then this year he started seeing a chiropractor for a different issue and she was the same- wanted me to come in and learn how to help him at home. We have excellent medical caregivers in our small town. I hope his PT will help you- it will make your son feel much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 He is a toe walker, but only barefoot, so I keep shoes on him often. PT worked on him a bit today, but he's so tight that he's not willing to sit still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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