Speech therapy massage for children in Kyiv

Sometimes in a child with speech problems, blood supply to the brainstem is impaired, which leads to an inability to control the muscles of the speech apparatus. In such cases, before working on sounds, it is necessary to carry out speech therapy massage – a method of mechanical influence that may improve the functioning of the muscles, nerve endings, blood vessels, soft tissues and the peripheral part of the speech apparatus. Speech therapy massage for children in Kyiv, performed at CSM, aims to help normalize speech and improve the child's general emotional state.

Speech therapy massage is part of a comprehensive medical and educational rehabilitation system for people of any age. In general, it is used during corrective educational work when muscle tone is impaired, in order to normalize it. Its main goals include reducing spasms of the speech apparatus muscles, stimulating the proprioceptive system, activating muscles with insufficient ability to contract, forming coordinated movements of the articulation organs and, as a result, improving speech.

Types of speech therapy massage

Manual massage is classic therapeutic massage performed directly on the affected area or next to it. The main techniques of manual speech therapy massage are stroking, rubbing, kneading and vibration.

Instrumental massage is performed with vibration, vacuum and other devices.

Acupressure is a type of therapeutic speech therapy massage used when it is necessary to act locally on biologically active points in order to relax or stimulate them. Acupressure techniques are selected strictly individually, because incorrect use of this type of speech therapy massage may aggravate an existing condition.

A special type of speech therapy massage is probe massage. This method is simple and used in practice. Probe speech therapy massage makes it possible to act in a targeted way on affected areas of the articulation organs, aiming to activate and restore their function with a special device – a probe.

Indications for speech therapy massage

Speech therapy massage is used for muscle tone disorders in the following conditions:

• hypotonia – decreased muscle tone;
• hypertonia – increased muscle tone;
• dystonia – variable muscle tone;
• hyperkinesis;
• paresis of the articulation organs;
• impaired kinesthetic sensations, that is, the sense of position and movement of the articulation organs.

Contraindications to speech therapy massage

Speech therapy massage for children is not performed in the presence of any acute infectious disease, in particular a severe cold, gingivitis or conjunctivitis, stomatitis, enlarged lymph nodes and increased lymph flow, or oral cavity lesions caused by herpes.

Procedure and technique of speech therapy massage

Speech therapy massage focuses mainly on the muscles of the speech apparatus (tongue, lips, cheeks, soft palate). There are two types of speech therapy massage. The first involves working with the fingers only; the second involves special instruments. The doctor may prescribe one type or the other based on specific indications.

The speech therapy massage procedure combines several techniques:

• breathing correction;
• facial muscle massage;
• neck muscle massage;
• massage of the speech organs (tongue, inner surface of the cheeks, lips) with a probe.

Specialists who design speech therapy massage schedules for correcting severe speech disorders follow certain norms. A single session should not exceed 15 minutes, since this is considered optimal for a child of any age and in any setting: at home or in a specialized facility. Regularity is also important for results. So that the child can consolidate speech skills, manual and probe massage are performed at least 3-4 times a week (daily or every other day). A course of speech therapy massage includes 10-15 sessions, depending on the patient's individual indications.

During the massage, the child's position should be as comfortable and natural as possible. During massage of the face or tongue, the speech therapist is positioned in front of the child or behind the head of the seated child.

The scheme and technique of speech therapy massage should be based on classic massage and the experience of fellow speech therapists who have developed special massage complexes. The massage techniques are generally simple, and parents of children with speech disorders can learn them. The strength of the effect of the hands or equipment is adjusted depending on the goal. Light stroking is used to relax the articulation muscles. Stronger and more frequent movements may help strengthen and activate muscle tone.

Massage techniques should not cause the child unpleasant sensations or negative emotions.

Possible positive effects

Massage has a favorable effect on tissues, may improve the secretory function of the skin and increase blood supply. This may lead to better metabolic processes and oxygen delivery to the tissues.

The specialist's rhythmic movements speed up the outflow of venous blood. In this process, lymphatic vessel function improves and the structure of the muscular system changes (the elasticity of muscle fibers, contraction strength and working capacity increase). Using various techniques makes it possible to influence spasticity (a group of symptoms characterized by increased muscle tone) and flaccid paresis.

Thus, speech therapy massage may help achieve the following effects:

• normalization of muscle tone and muscle contraction processes;
• stimulation of the muscles responsible for producing particular sounds;
• stimulation of blood circulation and faster conduction of nerve impulses;
• relief of spasm;
• help for the child in understanding the controlled and uncontrolled zones of the speech apparatus and managing them;
• reduction of drooling caused by nervous system diseases;
• strengthening of the swallowing reflex;
• easier correction of sound pronunciation.

During the appointment, the specialist will perform a speech therapy massage session for the child and will also explain how to reinforce the results at home. They will explain some techniques that can help you stimulate the development of your child's speech apparatus on your own.

Advantages of speech therapy massage at our Center

At the initial consultation in our clinic, the speech therapist determines the level of speech development and diagnoses the disorder. Then the therapist selects the massage techniques your child needs: to decrease or increase muscle tone. A neurologist and a psychologist often join to make the diagnosis more thorough. Any speech therapist at our Center can perform speech therapy massage. Book an appointment now – speech therapy massage is available in Kyiv, with special care for your child.

To find out the price of speech therapy massage, call the call center.