How kids are affected by asthma
It is the most common chronic disease in kids and the top reason why they miss school. It accounts for approximately 13.8 million lost school days for children and it affects 6.1 million kids under 18 years of age.1 This condition makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs . It can turn deadly if not treated correctly and tends to be more dangerous as people get older.2 Some asthma triggers include:
- Air pollution
- cigarette smoke
- colds
- exercise
- infections
- change in air temperature
- stress
- allergies
Asthma is a serious health problem in the United States. To have a better perspective at the amount of kids being affected, take in consideration that 1 in 12 children had asthma in 2016.3
Study of effects of massage on kids with asthma
A hospital in Egypt conducted a study of effects of massage on children with asthma. The pediatric allergy and chest unit of the New Children’s Hospital of Cairo University performed the study with sixty kids and divided them in two groups: the massage therapy group and the control group. The control group continued with the usual treatment for five weeks while the massage therapy group received a massage of twenty minutes every day for the same five weeks.
The kids with asthma belonging to the massage therapy group showed significant improvement in pulmonary function compared to the group that did not get massaged.4 That is great news for kids suffering with this excruciating condition and for their parents too! Getting massaged daily improves the diameter of airways and helps control asthma.5
If you have a friend or family member with asthma and now that you have this valuable information, please don’t keep it to yourself! Share this with as many people you know. Massage therapy can be life changing to someone with this respiratory health condition. Please contact a massage therapist who is licensed or a certified professional. They will be happy to assist with a treatment plan for you and/or your kids who suffer with asthma.
For readers in the Los Angeles area in California, don’t hesitate to contact us to book an appointment. We come to your home or office and we’ll be happy to assist you.
1,2. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/learn-about-asthma/asthma-children-facts-sheet.html
3. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-05/documents/asthma_fact_sheet_0.pdf
4. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/acm.2010.0758
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9602199/