16 Issue 108 Spring 2014 InternatIonal therapISt www.fht.org.uk

Holistic | Massage

The ancient art of storytelling is one of the oldest art forms in the world, crossing

ages, traditions and cultures. Stories are handed down from generation to generation and can be used as a valuable tool for education and therapeutic encounter. Often without even realising it, we think in the narrative and make sense of our world and our experiences through stories from a very young age.

Combined with the benefits of positive touch, storytelling can present opportunities for creative learning, interaction and therapy for children of all ages and abilities.

Story timeWhat is story massage?Story massage involves the use of simple massage movements (through clothes), which are associated with spoken words to build up an engaging story. It is an easy and fun way of introducing the benefits of touch through a powerful combination of storytelling and simple massage strokes. Tracing a large circle on a child’s back, for example, can depict the sun, while raking with the fingers can represent lions’ claws.

The concept of story massage is certainly not new. Indeed, it is as natural and intuitive as both sharing touch and telling stories. Most of us can remember writing our names, adding numbers or drawing pictures on friends’ backs as a creative guessing game. And we can recall sharing positive touch with This Little Piggy and Round and Round the Garden as a child, or indeed, as a parent with our children. These action games, songs and rhymes are a form of story massage. They have long been enjoyed as a fun and nurturing activity, but we are now advocating it as a way of communicating, engaging interest and encouraging skills such as fine motor coordination and following directions.

Our story massage strokes concentrate on

the back, head, shoulders and arms, which are all easily accessible. Strokes can also be used on hands and feet. No oil is used and children do not need to remove any clothes. Storylines and massage moves can be adapted to suit the individual needs of children of varying ages, personalities and temperaments.

Story massage can be used in the family home – with parents, grandparents and siblings sharing story massage as a child-to-child or adult-to-child activity. Children enjoy giving as well as receiving story massage, so it becomes a shared activity. It can also be part of the school day, though in this context, it is usually a peer activity with children massaging each other.

Story massage is now being used as a group or one-to-one activity in many other settings including hospices, hospitals and charity projects. For instance, you may recall from a piece published in IT October 2012 that we provided story massage as part of a positive touch programme to help heal the emotional wounds of children and adults so badly affected by the tsunami in Japan.1

Mary Atkinson, FFHT, and Sandra Hooper provide an introduction to story

massage for children

A mother massages her son’s head, strengthening their emotional bond

Sandra Hooper with children at a school demonstrating a movement

INTERNATIONAL THERAPIST www.fht.org.uk www.fht.org.uk INTERNATIONAL THERAPIST Issue 108 Spring 2014 17

Massage | Holistic

Benefi ts of story massageThe bene� ts of massage and positive touch in general for children are backed by extensive research from the Massage in Schools Association2 and Touch Research Institute, Miami3.

Speci� c bene� ts of story massage can be linked to choice of theme for a massage story. These might include, for example:Meditative stories. Calming stories can help to relax the mind and body, easing tension and the cumulative effects of stress. Children can learn the essential skill of conscious relaxation through � rst-hand experience of recharging and refreshing mind and body to be better able to cope with the constant demands and expectations of everyday life. Story massage as therapy. Story massage can help build trust through a shared connection. Over time, it can encourage discussion of concerns and anxieties in a calm, safe environment. It offers an opportunity to engage in experiences that provide a context for the use of emotional language so a child has the words to verbally express feelings. Stories can be chosen on topics such as ‘� rst day at school’ or ‘a new baby in the family’.Personalised stories. All children need to feel special. Story massage, made individual and relevant to a particular child or group of children, can enhance a child’s awareness of being valued and bring a sense of self worth.

Children can be encouraged to participate in storytelling and draw their own illustrations for massage stories.Special occasions and events. Celebrating the changing seasons with story massage on themes such as � reworks night, Diwali and Easter can add an extra dimension to the anticipation and experience of the event. It can also provide opportunities for respectful re� ection on the ways in which people from different cultures mark special occasions in their calendar.

The following story massage strokes and instructions, devised by Mary and Sandra, are taken from their ebook, ‘Once upon a touch… story massage for children’ and form the basis of their FHT accredited training programme.

The massage strokesThe BounceWith both hands working at the same time, place the pads of the � ngers and thumbs on your

partner’s back. Gently squeeze the � ngers and thumb of each hand together and lift off quickly. Repeat this ‘bouncing’ move all over the back.

The SprinkleWith both hands working at the same time, lightly tap the pads of your � ngers in a random fashion all over the

back, as if playing the piano. This is a light and gentle movement.

The CircleRest one hand on your partner’s shoulder. With the � at of the other hand, make a large, circular

movement on the back. This can be in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

The massage storyHickory dickory dock The mouse ran up the clock

The clock struck one

The mouse ran down

Hickory dickory dock

Hickory dickory dock

Stimulating the imagination. Combining storytelling with massage moves can excite children’s sense of fantasy and imagination, encouraging them to enter a whole new world. Massage stories can be based on favourite books, TV programmes, games, activities or songs.Kinaesthetic learning tool. Story massage gives children a chance to experience a quiet time in which they can explore topics in a different way. Children can also be encouraged to create their own story massages around a chosen subject offering an alternative and engaging way of developing a wider vocabulary.

Training in story massageFHT members wanting to add story massage to their therapy tool kit are required to complete hands-on, specialist training in story massage with a reputable training provider. In addition, they must hold a quali� cation that includes a component on how to instruct others (children, parents and foster carers) to apply a bodywork therapy to babies, toddlers or children for the purposes of relaxation. Recognised quali� cations* that ful� ll this criteria include Massage in Schools Programme Instructor, Baby Re� ex, Infant Massage Instructor and Baby Yoga Instructor.

On completion of training, this will enable members to work with small groups, and to also teach parents, foster carers and grandparents – on a one-to-one basis – how to use simple and appropriate story massage with children. *Editor’s comment: please note this list may not be exhaustive. FHT members interested in any specialist therapy courses/quali� cations that involve working with children, or teaching therapy techniques for children, are advised to contact the FHT before booking to ensure this will be covered for membership and insurance purposes. Prerequisites may apply.

Mary Atkinson discussing the bene� ts of story massage during training

Holistic | MassageMary Atkinson, FFHT,

and Sandra Hooper have collaborated since 2007 to help promote positive touch activities in the home, school and wider community. They have used their extensive experience to create an ebook, ‘Once upon a touch… story massage for children’, in a simple and easily accessible format so it can be used in

a variety of settings, including home and school. They run an FHT accredited course in story massage.

Mary is an award-winning complementary therapist and author of four massage books including Healing Touch for Children (Gaia, 2009). She talks at conferences and writes articles on the power of positive touch for children.

Sandra, an experienced primary school teacher and massage therapist, is an international trainer for the MISP. She has worked with teachers and health professionals in the UK and abroad, at school and in the home, to bring the bene� ts of safe and positive touch to children of all ages. She has also worked with national parenting programmes to increase the knowledge, skills and con� dence of parents.● For more information about story massage, FHT accredited training, and Mary and Sandra’s eBook, visit www.storymassage.co.uk

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18 Issue 108 Spring 2014 INTERNATIONAL THERAPIST www.fht.org.uk

Learn more at FHT’s Training Congress…

Mary and Sandra will be talking at the FHT Training Congress about story massage for children, and research into the bene� ts of massage and re� exology for children. See centre pages or visit www.fht.org.uk/2014

References1 Atkinson M (2012). Strength of spirit, International

Therapist 102: 46. Access at www.fht.org.uk/rr/complementary/positive-touch/Atkinson

2 Massage in Schools Association www.massageinschoolsassociation.org.uk – click the research link for a document detailing MISP research.

3 Touch Research Institute www6.miami.edu/touch-research/ChildMassage.html

Melanie Garlick, MFHT, a quali� ed massage therapist for 14 years, found her training in story massage with Mary and Sandra opened new doors, helping to increase her business and adding a new

dimension and vitality to her regular work. When she completed her training, she

produced her own book with rhyming stories and adjoining massage routines, called ‘Would you like a story massage? for parent and child’. A percentage of pro� t from book sales is donated to Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice in West Sussex.

Each story massage is simple enough for a young child to learn. The book contains original characters such as a little boy called Lewis. With the help of a doll maker, Lewis has been brought to life as a � at-backed doll, making him an ideal model for Melanie to demonstrate her story massage rhymes.

Initially, Melanie shared her stories with the children of the mums who attended her Mums, Mugs and Massage gatherings. These parties give mums a chance to gather, relax, drink tea, play and take it in turns to pop into her therapy

room for a 20-minute massage of their choice, while other group members keep a watchful eye on her child. Melanie found the children loved sharing story massage rhymes, and ‘Story massage rhyme time’ has since become a regular feature at each party.

Melanie has also taken story massage rhymes to playgroups and libraries. She says the response from the children, staff and parents is always so welcoming.● For details about Melanie’s work and book, and to register for a free massage story, visit www.thecalmchild.com

to playgroups and libraries. She says the response from the children,

The Massage in Schools Programme (MISP) was founded in 2000 by Mia Elmsäter from Sweden and Sylvie Hétu from Canada. It offers a well-structured yet simple programme of positive touch in the classroom, with the ultimate vision of nurturing touch becoming a way of life for children in all schools worldwide.

The programme incorporates a set routine of speci� c peer massage moves, plus positive touch activities, for children aged four to 12. A wide range of bene� ts have been observed in those schoolchildren taking part in the MISP, from improved concentration and

self-con� dence, to respect for others and a reduction in aggressive behaviour.

Training is facilitated by an accredited MISP instructor. Once quali� ed, independent MISP instructors have the potential to work in schools (though access and funding can vary widely between schools, local authorities and regions), run parent workshops, offer sessions at after-school clubs and in pre-school settings, and even offer MISP in a voluntary setting to gain experience.

MISP instructors can teach the whole staff some of the positive touch activities, such as

story massage, as this is developmental and creative, for example, activities that match current school themes and the time of year. However, the MISP massage routine is taught directly to the children by the MISP instructor and is not cascaded down by other adults.● For more information, visit www.massageinschoolsassociation.org.uk Editor’s comment: Please see page 55 to read a piece by FHT 2013 Excellence in Practice award winner Donna Davis, MFHT, who carried out research into the bene� ts of the Massage in Schools Programme.

About the Massage in Schools Programme

Story massage and learning disabilities‘The story massage course with Mary and Sandra was one of the most rewarding I have attended. I was able to put my skills to work next day at a day centre for people with learning disabilities, where I am a regular massage therapist. I have also included story massage with a few of my private clients (ages ranging from � ve to early 60s), with a range of disabilities, and they love it.

‘One particular client was having real problems sleeping and yet he was so relaxed he fell asleep in the chair while enjoying the story massage I had written. The key workers were really interested when they saw clients’ positive responses and wanted to know more. I showed them some of the story massage moves and we had a lovely time making up stories and working on the clients together. The following week some of the clients had remembered the moves and wanted to practise on us.

‘Story massage can be a great de-escalation technique, if the receiver is a little fractious. It gives them something positive to focus on and calms the mind and � dgeting. It is so adaptable, too. I have lots of fun playing memory recall games with my clients during our sessions. One of the best tools in my ever growing toolbox.’

Ali Marson, holistic therapist

Story massage sparks creativity

Story massage in palliative care

‘I have been privileged to work with a lady in her 30s who has primary school age children. She is a palliative patient and her time here may not be long. Sharing the storytelling massage has given her something positive to share with her daughter; she was so excited. They are going to create a story together and also use her favourite Ladybird story, create a picture story book with massage movements and share the positive touch story on each other. She plans to keep this for her daughter’s memory box so that in years to come she can have a very positive memory of how she helped her mummy.’

Denise James, MFHT