Massage therapy benefits

After too long a pause, we restarted giving my son massages. There is so much research showing the benefits of massage therapy for children.

Children with Down syndrome improved in motor functioning and muscle tone following massage therapy
Journal: Early Child Development and Care
Available online 25 Jun 2007 (doi: 10.1080/03004430500105233)
Maria Hernandez-Reif et al.

Abstract
Twenty‐one moderate to high functioning young children (mean age, two years) with Down syndrome receiving early intervention (physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy) were randomly assigned to additionally receive two 0.5‐hour massage therapy or reading sessions (control group) per week for two months. On the first and last day of the study, the children’s functioning levels were assessed using the Developmental Programming for Infants and Young Children scale, and muscle tone was assessed using a new preliminary scale (the Arms, Legs and Trunk Muscle Tone Score). Children in the massage therapy group revealed greater gains in fine and gross motor functioning and less severe limb hypotonicity when compared with the children in the reading/control group. These findings suggest that the addition of massage therapy to an early intervention program may enhance motor functioning and increase muscle tone for children with Down syndrome.

Massage therapy by parents improves early growth and development
Journal: Infant Behavior and Development
Available online 11 September 2004 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2005.12.002)
Tiffany Field et al.

Abstract
This study assessed the effects of moderate and light pressuremassage on the growth and development of young infants. A recent study by Diego, Field, Sanders, and Hernandez-Reif (2004) showed that persons who were given moderate pressuremassage, as compared with persons who received light massage or vibratory stimulation, experienced a decrease in heart rate, EEG changes associated with a relaxation response and positive affect, and the greatest decrease in stress. In the present study, mothers were instructed to massage their newborn infants once per day using either light or moderate pressure. The infants’ growth (i.e., weight, length, head circumference), sleep behavior, and performance on the Brazelton scale were assessed soon after birth and at one month of age. As compared to infants who received a light pressuremassage, infants in the moderate pressure group gained more weight, were greater length, performed better on the orientation scale of the Brazelton, had lower Brazelton excitability and depression scores, and exhibited less agitated behavior during sleep.

Preschool children's sleep and wake behavior: effects of massage therapy
Journal: Early Child Development and Care

Available online 7 Jul 2006 (doi: 10.1080/0300443961200104)
Tiffany Field et al.

Abstract
Preschool children received 20‐minute massages twice a week for five weeks. The massaged children as compared to children in the wait‐list control group had better behavior ratings on state, vocalization, activity and cooperation after the massage sessions on the first and last days of the study. Their behavior was also rated more optimally by their teachers by the end of the study. Also, at the end of the 5 week period parents of the massaged children rated their children as having less touch aversion and being more extraverted. Finally, the massaged children had a shorter latency to naptime sleep by the end of the study.