Product Description

"Swedish Child Massage" is a handbook on touch and massage directed to parents and caregivers. The first section of the book covers the importance of touch in child development. Following is an illustrated section on how to do infant massage.

The book continues to examine the tactile need as the child grows, and there are instructions on hands-on techniques for each developing stage. Child Massage and Buddy Massage is presented and illustrated.

The book ends with a chapter on physiological effects of massage and touch based on research and medical sources.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #766292 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

About the Author
Lena Jelveus
Author
Swedish Physical Therapist of 21 years.
Owner/Director of the Swedish Health Institute

Lena Jelveus, was born in Finland in the early 1960's. She grew up thinking she wanted to become a baker, as she enjoyed working with her hands. In school she was keen on creative writing, reading and foreign languages.

By 1983 Lena had moved to Sweden and earned a Bachelors degree in physical therapy at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Ever since she has devoted her professional practice to healing through touching techniques. She began to teach massage in 1989 and she has never stopped to explore the bodywork arena. Life has taken her to different parts of the world, like Romania, Thailand, Germany and the USA, where she has both taught massage and learned new techniques.

In 1998 her first book was published in Sweden. The topic of Child Massage was hot at the time, and soon her book became a reference guide for parents and pre-school teachers alike. She followed up with a childrenÕs book with massage-stories, rhymes and riddles in 2000, and a book on geriatric massage was released in 2001.

In addition, she has been published in several articles in Swedish magazines and professional journals. Lena also has been part of a research team at the University of Uppsala, where she performed the massage in a 18 month long study on chronic pain patients.

"Swedish Child Massage- A Family Guide to Nurturing Touch", a translation of the Swedish predecessor, is now in publication in the states. LenaÕs American articles can be read in the Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals newsletter "Different Strokes". She now lives in Encino, California with her husband, and she continues to teach an array of classes, to write and publish articles and books at the Swedish Health Institute.

Customer Reviews

Educational and practical
This book accomplishes two very useful things. First, it explains how and why humans need physical contact, with some fascinating evidence as to the benefits of touch and the costs of not getting enough of it. Second, the book presents a solid introduction to massage for infants, children, and teens. The chapters cover massage in America, touch at the beginning of life, children's need for touch, and reactions to massage.

You have only to look at the pictures of happy, giggling infants and peacefully smiling schoolchildren to see how much the child models were enjoying the massage. The actual point of the photos is to illustrate the massage strokes, and they do this quite well - but for people new to massage and perhaps hesitant about its benefits, the emotional content may be more valuable. The instructions are basic enough for a novice to understand and apply, but for someone already experienced in general massage, this is still a handy guide to a specific type. "Swedish massage," by the way, is a style characterized by broad strokes, firm yet gentle, and delightful to receive.

I have to agree with the author: America tends to be a touch-starved society and that causes a lot of problems. Swedish Child Massage suggests a practical solution. So if you have kids, take a look at this book. If someone you know is expecting a visit from the stork, consider this as a baby-shower gift. Most highly recommended. -- Sheela Ardrian for the FEARLESS REVIEWS