PEDIATRIC MASSAGE IN SALEM – HEATHER SEALS

The following is a response to our request for some information about Heather’s pediatric massage practice. Heather is a 2008 graduate of Oregon School of Massage (OSM) and practices in Salem, Oregon
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Dear OSM,

Massage Therapy Training Points to Power of Touch with Children
Pediatric work has been a passion of mine for decades. Having been a dental assistant for seventeen years and working in one of Salem’s largest clinics I had the opportunity to work with kids while they face the challenge of going to the dentist. However, it wasn’t until I began my training in 2006 at OSM that I noticed the influence that physical contact had on them. Something as basic as offering my hand to hold while we walked back to the examination room or a calming shoulder rub while they received an injection made worlds of difference for these kids. I quickly became the one called on when a challenging child came in. As I progressed my way thru massage school I was sad to leave the kids behind, but excited about the emerging therapeutic work coming from my growing practice.

In 2008 I began work with a predominantly adult population and soon picked up additional skills as a canio-sacral therapist. Part of the training involved reading Dr. John Upledgers book “Your Inner Physician and You”. Immediately I was struck by the impact of CST on children. In 2009 I joined a wellness center; it was there that I mastered my therapeutic massage skills on adults and once more I began to work with a few children.

Response of New Daughter Confirms Benefits of Infant Massage
In January 2011 I gave birth to my third child,Lacey, and once more was powerfully moved by the effects of massage on the littlest people. Just hours after her birth I began massaging my new baby girl. Nothing formal, just strokes that felt right to me or that she responded to. I figured most moms rub their babies backs, right? Recalling the training as a cranio-sacral therapist I focused my touch on the back of her head and neck, and on gently stretching her limbs. I remember the nurses would come in to check on Lacey because she was “too content” for a newborn. While in the hospital, one day after her birth, they tested her neurological response to various stimuli, a normal test given to newborns. The results were astounding; the nurse administering the tests commented that never had she seen a baby respond so quickly or with such strong and clear brain waves when stimulated by touch, temperature, sight and sound. This told me that the neurological connections in the brain were developing quickly.

Research Supports My Experience
While on maternity leave I began doing some research. I looked up every book and article I could find on the subject. I became very familiar with the studies conducted by Tiffany Field, the leading expert on pediatric massage. After reading her book “Touch” I was convinced that this was the right path for me. I began practicing the strokes I was reading about on my daughter. As the weeks and months progressed her check-ups showed a healthy weight gain and very acute sensory response, indicating that she was aware of her body and would respond accordingly. In addition her  check-ups revealed that she had very well developed gross and fine motor skills with an abnormally long attention span, indicating the possibility of above average intelligence.

In order for you to understand the true impact of massage on her, I must explain that as an infant my sense of hearing developed quite slowly and that I have a mild form of a learning disability. Additionally, my husband had low birth weight and was considered underweight as a child and teenager. Given these factors, this progression in Lacey was statistically abnormal. We were expecting an average kiddo…with the encouragement of massage she was developing far past our expectations. She still is. Now at almost two years old she speaks clearly, responds accurately when asked complex questions and has an attention span or approximately 30-40 minutes. Those of you with two-year olds at home know that’s remarkable.

Pediatric Massage Becomes Part of My Practice
In February of 2012 I opened the doors of my own practice, Salem Family Massage, with the mission of inviting kids to be a big part of my practice. In April of 2012 I became a Certified Infant Massage Instructor thru the Loving Touch Foundation located in Portland, so that I could pass on the skills needed for parents to begin working with their infants the same way that I worked with Lacey. Later, in June of 2012, I became the first Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist in Salem and hold additional certification as an Autism Specialist thru the Liddle Kidz Foundation. My training was given directly from the founder of the Liddle Kidz Foundation, Mrs. Tina Allen, also one of the pioneers of this modality. I felt very privileged to have received my training from her.

Since embarking on this new direction I have had the privilege of working with injured kids ranging in ages of 3 weeks to 18 years. Some have been injured in automobile accidents, others injured while playing various sports. I have worked with kids who are recovering from drug addiction, ADHD/ADD and even a few with other social impairments. One of my favorite cases, a five year old girl gave herself whiplash while twirling her long ponytail around and around. Her mom was so relieved when the pain in her daughters neck was relieved with just a short trip to visit Mrs. Heather!

After each day, I go home reminded of how vital the healthy growth of our children is and I wish more parents only knew the value simply holding hands with their toddlers or rubbing the back of their teenagers truly is. I feel blessed to be a part of that learning process for parents in our society.

Thanks,

Heather

Contact information
With a practice based on professional training, extensive experience, and on-going study Heather has become a valuable massage resource. For additional information or to schedule appointments contact her at:  heatherseals@massagetherapy.com