How Massage Therapy Can Help Children with PTSD

northlondon22
6 days ago
3 min read

Young boy holding his head, showing signs of a headache.

Massage therapy can be a supportive, complementary approach for children experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When delivered by a trauma-informed, pediatric-trained therapist and integrated with appropriate mental health care, massage can help address both the physical and emotional effects of trauma.

Below is an overview of how and why massage therapy may help, along with important safety considerations.

1. Massage May Help Regulate the Nervous System

Trauma often keeps children’s nervous systems in a high-arousal, “fight or flight” state. Gentle, structured touch has been associated with decreased stress hormones and increased parasympathetic activity (the “rest and digest” response), which can help with calming and emotional regulation.

Pediatric massage has been linked with increased vagal activity and reduced stress hormones, mechanisms relevant to calming nervous system arousal in trauma contexts.

2. Massage Can Reduce Anxiety and Related Symptoms

While very few randomized controlled trials have targeted PTSD in children directly, research on pediatric massage for anxiety and behavioral symptoms is more common and suggests beneficial effects that could support trauma recovery:

Clinical research has documented reductions in anxiety, depression, and behavioral symptoms in children receiving regular massage across various studies.
A narrative review identified research suggesting massage improved aggression and mood symptoms, including a study of children who experienced PTSD symptoms after Hurricane Andrew showing fewer PTSD symptoms including less anxiety and sleep disturbance after daily massage treatment.

3. Evidence on Massage for PTSD Symptoms Is Limited But Suggestive

There are few high-quality, large pediatric clinical trials on massage specifically for PTSD (and some existing evidence is mixed):

A systematic evidence review found limited and low-to-moderate quality evidence of non-significant effects of massage (combined with other support) on PTSD symptom levels in trauma-exposed children, meaning findings are inconclusive and more research is needed.
Case studies and small clinical reports in adults with PTSD suggest massage can help reduce PTSD‐related dissociation and anxiety, indicating mechanisms that could be further explored in children.

4. Massage Can Support Sleep and Emotional Regulation

PTSD in children often includes sleep disturbances, nightmares, and emotional dysregulation. Massage therapy has been broadly associated with improved mood and better sleep patterns in pediatric populations:

Pediatric massage interventions have been reported to improve sleep quality and mood in children with stress-related symptoms.

5. Massage Supports Body Awareness and Safe Touch Practices

Trauma can affect how children experience their bodies and safety. Massage delivered in a trauma-informed, consent-based way can help rebuild positive body awareness.

While research specifically measuring body awareness changes in trauma is limited, broader pediatric massage literature supports that touch - when appropriately guided - can help reduce physical tension and improve self-regulation.

Research Limitations to Know

The research base on massage for PTSD in children has important limitations:

Many studies are small, observational, or not specific to PTSD.
There are few randomized controlled trials focusing solely on trauma outcomes in pediatric massage research.
Evidence syntheses and narrative reviews highlight the need for more rigorous, large-scale trials to confirm mechanisms and long-term benefits.

In Summary

Massage therapy may help children with PTSD by:

Supporting nervous system regulation via calming physiological responses.
Helping reduce anxiety, tension, and sleep disturbances often associated with trauma.
Providing safe, structured touch that can improve body awareness and emotional regulation.

The direct evidence for massage specifically reducing PTSD symptoms in children is still limited and should be considered a complementary therapy, integrated with trauma-focused mental health care, and delivered by providers trained in pediatric and trauma-informed practice.