Massage Helps Sick Children Feel Better

Massage helps alleviate illness in kids, according to the American Family Physician, as reported in Pediatrics for Parents. “Doctors at the University of Miami School of Medicine found that massage helps to reduce stress in children, which, in turn, improves the functioning of the immune system. Children who received a daily fifteen- to twenty-minute massage experienced an improvement in their asthma, insomnia, diabetes, and diaper rash. The researcher believed that the massage lessened stress, which improved the functioning of the children’s immune system. . . . Children with insomnia who were massaged suffered half the problems of insomniac children who didn’t.”

Massage is slowly gaining attention in Western medicine, but has been used in healing for hundreds of years in other cultures. Julian Scott, Ph.D., in his book Natural Medicine for Children, says: “Massage is one of the oldest and most instinctive forms of healing. The Chinese have developed massage techniques to a high art. . . . They use it for treating many conditions, and it is an established therapy at their state hospitals. Massage is especially favored for children, because it can be so gentle, and because the physical contact benefits both child and parent.”

Guide to Infant Massage

The following tips come from the book Natural Baby Care by Mothers and Others for a Livable Planet:

1. First lay the baby on her belly and stroke the backs of her legs and arms towards her torso, promoting circulation.

2. Next rub her back.

3. Then lay the baby on her back and gently knead her arms and legs, including her hands, fingers, and toes.

4. End by stroking her chest and belly.

Dr. Julian Scott’s Guide to Massage for Children:

1. Calm yourself and your child as much as possible before starting. This is often difficult with an ill, restless, or irritable child, but it is worth the effort.

2. Choose calm and peaceful surroundings, without bright lights, loud music, or other distractions.

3. Lubricate the area to be massaged with a little oil. Almost any oil is suitable; olive oil is a good choice.

4. Do the massage gently but firmly, being responsive and aware of your child’s reaction. Speak calmly and gently. If the child becomes agitated, stop and relax, then start again.

5. While massaging, imagine a healing force coming from your hands and fingertips to benefit your child.

Science Corner

Q. Why doesn’t a spider get stuck in its own web?

A. A spider’s web is great at catching insects, but you will never find a spider caught in its own web. Spiders use both dry and sticky silk threads to build a web. As a spider weaves, it lays down a temporary “walkway” of dry silk threads. Then, when retracing its steps, it rolls up the dry silk and replaces it with the sticky stuff. It leaves a few dry threads so it can jump out and bundle up its prey without getting stuck in the wet threads. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

Herb Up

Dill is part of the parsley family. Dill’s many forms include its leaves and seeds as well as dill-seed oil and dill-herb oil.

Dill contains coumarins, steroids, flavonoids, protein, calcium, potassium, and Vitamins A and C. Besides being used to flavor foods, dill is known in Chinese and Western medicine as a healing herb. It is used as an anti-spasmodic and as a sedative. It also lowers blood pressure and inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Juliette de Bairacli Levy writes in her book Common Herbs for Natural Healing that “dill is known for bringing up wind, including windy colic and fermentation. It eases wind in babies. A mild tea of the seed, known as dill water, is given to babies before breast-feeding to improve their digestion.” This tea is also given to adults and children for the treatment of diarrhea and fevers.

Dill can present an insect infestation problem; you may wish to consult your rabbinic authority for the best way to handle dill.

How to make dill water: Place a teaspoon of dill seeds in a cup of boiling water (wineglass size) and steep; serve tepid.

Fidget and Burn

Tap your fingers, shake your leg, bounce your knee. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic fed sixteen patients 1,000 extra calories a day for eight weeks and had them refrain from exercise. The study found that some participants worked off the extra calories simply by fidgeting. There is evidence that one can burn up to 200 calories a day with common restless movement. So explain to your friends and family that what may seem like an annoying habit is just your way to stay trim!

Avi’s List By D. L. Rosenfeld
Book Review

How do we approach the topic of smoking with our children? Research shows that although information about the dangers of smoking is readily available, kids are still tempted to experiment with cigarettes.

Now there is a book written for the Orthodox Jewish pre-teen and teenager about the hazards of smoking. The main character of this novel is Avi Feinberg, a likable pre-teen who decides that he wants to be “cool” (like his older friends and his grandfather) and smoke. He knows his father will not be happy with the decision. Rather than actually smoking, Avi begins experimenting by practicing in front of the mirror with an unlit cigarette.

All is going well for Avi until a surprise Pesach guest explains the physical dangers of smoking and the Torah’s perspective on the issue.

Avi’s List is well-written and is an easy read for ages 8-12. Although the main character is a boy, girls can also learn from Avi’s experiences. To order the book, call 718-467-6630, ext. 201.