Have you ever wondered if there were something more you could be doing to help your patients heal more quickly, or to develop more appropriately, despite all the setbacks imposed by a premature or problematic birth? There is! It is the intentional, focused use of beneficial touch. Not only can we help stabilize their erratic autonomic nervous systems, helping to promote stability and reduce stress, we can actually facilitate development of oral reflexes necessary for safe feeding. We have spent decades looking at the detrimental effects of the sensory overload our patients in the NICU experience. But we are only beginning to research and use small amounts of focused sensory input for the benefit of these little ones.
After reviewing the current literature on infant massage in general, we will discuss some of the various forms appropriate for use in the NICU. The speaker will also introduce a very new approach, in use in Russia and Poland called The Masgutova Method ® which can have the added benefit of facilitating better feeding skills. Jennifer Meyer, M.A. CCC-SLP will present the research available on this approach and teach specific techniques that are safe to use with even premature infants. Participants will then practice these techniques on each other, gaining a thorough understanding of how, when, and where to employ them.
As a result of this presentation, the participant will be able to
- Outline the Research basis for Touch as a therapeutic modality
- List 3 benefits observed clinically of therapeutic touch in the NICU
- Perform 3 specific therapeutic touch techniques demonstrated in the presentation
This recorded webinar was presented live during Feeding Fun Night Saturday June 21st, 2014.
To get the most out of this course webinar participants are encouraged to have their own dolls available and to register in pairs that can practice the massage techniques on each other.
The live, in-person presentation of this program has been approved for 2 clock hours of continuing education credit by the Texas Speech-Language Hearing Association (TSHA).
TSHA approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
