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This method of treating dyslexia with co-ordination exercises and massage came originally from Moshe Elbaum of "The International Professional School of Body Works" in Tel Aviv, Israel. Moshe Elbaum ran "The Institute of Body Balance" where, amongst other things, the following are treated:
- Dyslexia
- Dysgrafia
- Concentration Difficulties
- Co-ordination Difficulties
- Teeth grinding
Moshe Elbaum's method is based partially on massage using William Reich's theory that all traumas - small and large that we have experienced in life -leave their "mark" in our muscles and may manifest itself at a later stage as tension in the muscle tissue. This tension may be the cause of many physical problems such as migraine, dyslexia or asthma. These problems may be alleviated by massage combined with breathing exercises.
The experiences from the work carried out at Moshe's clinics, were very inspiring where over a twelve-week period, children and adults could improve reading, writing and general learning skills.
Co-ordination, Massage and Learning
According to the theory behind this treatment method, dyslexia occurs when the connections between the brain and the muscles do not function or function poorly. In certain extreme cases, learning or taking in information can be next to impossible. Poorly functioning connections will create poor co-ordination in the body and, as a result, can cause difficulty with concentration also. When these connections are not functioning, as they should, the body does not always do what we wish and various forms of muscle tension may arise.
By the age of six years, the majority of the connections between the brain and muscles have been developed. Occasionally, development is inhibited. This may depend on many things, some known, some unknown.
It is believed that when infants avoid the crawling stage difficulties with co¬ordination may arise. This often develops later into difficulties with development of motor skills, co-ordination and concentration, all of which are essential for learning.
The importance of the crawling stage for infants must be stressed and realised by parents. This period should not be rushed.
Those that have not crawled often have not developed all connections between the brain, hands and the eyes. These children are often awkward and for instance, sometimes will not use their arms as protection when they fall. Some children will seem hyperactive, not because they want to be troublesome, but because they are not in balance and have difficulty concentrating. This behaviour can be misinterpreted as these children may be regarded as being "different" and gradually low self-esteem and low self-confidence can develop. Often they are punished for something they have no control over.
There are those who are not hyperactive but, instead, are introverted and are seen to be "lazy". Many of these children develop problems like headaches and stomach aches.
Other connections that have been noted are with babies that cry intensely and have the need to stretch very often. This behaviour can often be a "shout" for touch. At this stage, if these babies are massaged regularly, the negative cycle can be hindered. These signs are noticed especially in premature babies.
As mentioned previously, traumas are a common cause of contributing to a poorly co-ordinated body, even trauma during birth may be a huge factor in how we function later on in life.
Other traumas during our younger years can cause a child's subconscious to become blocked and result in development becoming a struggle and thereafter the "downward spiral" begins.
Children and adults often develop very clever ways of hiding their dyslexia or poor motor skills.
Awkward Children
Dyslexic adults and children that suffer from having poor motor skills are often seen as being awkward. In some cases, they fall over things or may have difficulty catching a ball that is thrown to them. Their bodies cannot carry out exactly what the brain has told them to do in the correct way. This is a very frustrating situation that often leads to low self-confidence and many insecurities and possibly even behavioural problems. They can feel trapped in their own bodies.
We may be able to recognise some of the characteristics of a person with dyslexia (these are just some possible and very general signs as dyslexia is a very individual thing and may not show any of these signs). The earlier the problem is discovered, the better. Baby massage is always beneficial if it is noticed that a child is not inclined to crawl then helping the infant to train these movements involved will help, for instance, in this case playing "wheel barrows".
Needless to say, it is better to work with a hyperactive 4 year old than waiting until more problems develop at school.
With this treatment method, there are tests that indicate whether the child or adult may benefit from the treatment. The tests consist of quite straightforward pattern writing, eye tracking and co-ordination exercises. For someone who does not have a weakness in co-ordination skills, these tests are quite easy, but for those who have some learning difficulties like dyslexia, the tests may be very challenging. The advantage being, of course, that although the tests prove challenging, it is an indicator that there are good possibilities that within a relatively short time - 12 weeks - that a good result may be obtained.
What Can Be Done?
This method consists of co-ordination exercises to improve gross and fine motor skills, plus hand eye co-ordination skills, eye-tracking exercises, massage, breathing exercises and conversation/feedback.
By combining the various exercises, the aim is to improve the necessary connections which may be lacking or functioning poorly between both the right and left side of the brains and also between the brain and the rest of the body (the muscles). Massage will help to reduce muscle tension and also help the body adjust to these new movements.
Breathing exercises can easily be introduced during the massage in the form of training abdominal breathing. Abdominal breathing has the following effects:
- It brings your conscience to the abdominal area.
- It creates more room for the organs to move in this area.
- The lower lobes of the lungs are allowed to expand more so that more oxygen is distributed throughout the body.
- This breathing technique also massages the internal organs of the body very gently through the breathing itself.
Treatment And Cost
It has shown that the treatment gives best results with 12 consecutive weekly sessions, and between sessions three daily exercise training sessions. Usually about 10/15 minutes is necessary for each training session. The training is quite intensive but, benefits can be seen quite quickly, usually after three to five weeks. To allow the muscles to work in a way that they may not have done previously, takes time. The person usually feels better in many ways.
Initial consultation is €50 with each weekly session costing €60.
Importance Of Touch
A person can survive without sight, the sense of hearing, taste or smell but not without touch. Tests on baby apes have shown that without body contact, diseases develop and eventually death. We are not so unlike apes. As more research is done throughout the world on the importance of touch, results are showing us that touch is more important than previously understood.
Research has shown that regular treatments of touch therapies such as massage give the following effects:
- Stronger immune system.
- Better development of the nervous system.
- More alertness.
- Reduction of anxiety.
- Better sleeping patterns.
- Reduction in pain levels.
- Decreases stress hormones.
- Works against depression.
- Faster weight gain/development of premature babies.
Other Effects
Within massage and alternative therapy circuits, we have been aware for quite some time of touch and its positive effects on both mind and body. We are also aware that massage is one of the best methods existing for increasing blood and lymphatic circulation in the body. This leads to an increase in immunity, increase in absorption of minerals and vitamins and decrease in muscle tension.
We have also seen that those who are thought to be aggressive and anxious have become more harmonious after massage and those who suffer from pain have experienced relief - even by light touch. Deep tension in the body can also be made freer, including physical, emotional and mental.
This co-ordination and massage programme works on many areas to heal any learning difficulties a child may be having with the added bonus of boosting confidence and self-esteem.
Research on effects of massage http://www.miami.edu/touch-research
Information - Moshe Elbaum http://www.elbaum.com |
