Infant Massage - Healthy Preemie Growth Rates

Infant Massage has found its own niche in the medical industry and it promotes healthy growth of premature and full-term infants. Low birth weight and bone mineralization are both common problems of premature infants that lead to many other related health complications.

Recent studies have found that regular infant massage performed by a certified masseuse while the baby is in the hospital have aided in the early weight gain necessary for the baby to flourish. The Touch Research Institute of Miami School of Medicine conducted one study on premature infants where one group received a massage from a professional masseuse and the second group received the regular neonatal infant care. They found the infants who were recipients of the massage while in the NICU gained from 21 to 47 percent more weight than the infants in the control group.

The reason for this increased weight gain is linked to the massage stimulating pressure receptors, primarily found in the hands, feet, and lower back. When these receptors are stimulated it slows the heart rate and blood pressure. When these are slowed it stimulates growth hormones.

Another study done at George Washington University found that bone mineralization in premature infants also increased with the use of infant massage. Both groups received physical activity and the same amount of nutrients. The massage group received gentle massages on their head, face, neck, shoulders, back, legs, feet, and arms. The biomarkers used to study bone mineralization were C terminal procollagen peptide (PICP), urine pryidinolin (urine Pyd), serum calcium, alkaline phosphates, and parathyroid hormone(PTH). They found that in the massage group levels of PICP and PTH were both significantly greater that levels found in the control group. Each group had increased levels of urine Pyd and neither group had a significant change in the serum calcium or alkaline phosphates.

Infant Massage is making its mark in the professional medical field as a natural method to promote preemies to better health through increased weight gain quicker and greater bone mineralization.

For more information about Massage Therapy go to http://www.free-body-massage.info.

By A. Exon

http://www.free-body-massage.info.

Andrew is a Marriage, Family, and Human Development graduate who enjoys swing dancing, camping, fly-fishing, and other recreational sports which provide physical excercise and relaxation.

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