Yes, they can!

Most children love bodywork, and it can be incredibly beneficial in supporting relaxation, a sense of calm, better sleep patterns, improved focus, and development of an awareness of the body/mind connection.

Of course, children will respond to receiving shiatsu in a variety of ways... some are very comfortable with touch (and touch of a stranger can be challenging to some), some are quite ticklish, and there are a few who need some time to relax into this kind of relationship. I have approached these situations creatively: offering very short treatments, allowing the young person to bring music they liked, spending time talking with them both before, during and after the session, using very general pressure - sometimes in just one 'safe' area, like the back. I have demonstrated to mom how to do some basic movements on the child, if that felt better; in one case, I actually just worked on mom, with little one going between looking on and exploring my office!

Even babies can enjoy the benefits of touch therapy, and shiatsu can be helpful in relieving many of the discomforts of infancy. 

It's wonderful to see children make the connection between how they feel physically and emotionally, and they often readily take to skills such as breathing mindfully to calm themselves down. (Not to mention, their own attempts to give shiatsu to mom or dad!)

Last updated on June 14, 2008 by Gina Loree' Marks