We Asked: Is public school an appropriate place for children to experience healthy touch like massage or energy work? Why, or why not?

Here is what you told us...

Yes. I do chair massage in a private school, for children who learn differently. Many of these young people struggle to get concepts and as a result of trying to learn, their cortisol (stress hormone) levels increase, thus driving up their anxiety. Chair massage is a quick way to reduce this, [and improves] mental clarity and problem-solving. Once the teachers saw the results, my waiting list for massages increased dramatically. Now if a student is not able to focus, very often one of the teachers will bring the child to our open quiet cubby (complete with soft music and a water fountain), and instruct me that this particular child is having a rough day and needs a chair massage. I feel that if this were available to more students in public schools, we would probably have happier, healthier, more productive children.
Kathy Perniciaro
Yardley, Pennsylvania

I teach high school and have practiced massage for 20 years. A good health class should include a curriculum dealing with complementary health [care] topics. In most states, teacher-certification issues limit the teaching of health classes to physical education coaches. I expect many would be glad to let a therapist teach a class on the benefits and practice of massage. Call up your old coach and ask!
Joe Snyder
Louisville, Kentucky

Public school is a wonderful place for children to experience healthy touch, as it gives them the opportunity to get in touch with their gentle selves. When my daughter was in third grade, she invited me to be a speaker at her school's Career Day. I was assigned to speak to grades kindergarten, third and fifth. After the presentation, we had a sample massage. The thank-you notes I received the next day brought up some commonalties: the children enjoyed giving as well as receiving massage, and many mentioned wanting to help those they loved feel good by giving them massage. The children were able to open their hearts; I found this innate sense of nurturing very touching.
Maria Rossi
Scotts Valley, California

Healthy touch should be taught to our children, but it should come from parents, family, friends. Teachers have enough responsibilities pertaining to the curriculum which they are trained to provide. It is unfair to expect teachers to become professionals of massage and to provide the depth of instruction necessary to demonstrate the importance and benefits of massage in our lives. Placing massage into the school schedule would diminish that importance. Massage is based upon qualities of trust, intimacy, respect for the body and for science, and more. These concepts may be beyond the child's grasp and the meaning and intention of massage will not be translated in an understandable manner for the child.
Krista P. Webdale
Richmond, Vermont

I have a lot of experience with this [as a massage therapist who teaches massage to schoolchildren]. Teaching [students] how to treat each other with respect has brought so many positive changes in children from within. Parents have given positive feedback by saying it feels safe to leave the children in the morning at school, knowing they will start by having massage.
Solveig Berggren
Kungsbacka, Sweden

As a licensed massage therapist and mother of four school-age children, I would say, as a place to experience healthy touch like massage, no. But as a place to learn about massage and energy work, yes. I would personally love to see appropriate touch back in the school setting, because of the many benefits (less violence, higher levels of awareness and learning, more positive personal connections); however, I feel even if licensed professionals were the ones providing the touch, many problems could arise--anything from claims of inappropriate, sexual touch to religious issues, especially if energy work was involved. I do believe, though, that public school is a very appropriate place to educate children about healthy touch, such as massage and energy work. It should definitely be included in a health curriculum when talking about preventive medicine and keeping your body healthy. If we begin there, then someday massage will seem as obvious a health choice as taking an aspirin--maybe even a better one!
Paula Chenevey
Wooster, Ohio

Before becoming a massage therapist I worked as an elementary school social worker [for grades] K-5. No sooner had I started that I was instructed by my principal to "never touch the kids," allegations of misconduct being the impetus for such a statement. During my time in the school I worked with many children in many types of crises. I have spoken to them, cried with them, sat dumbfounded with them. I have looked into their eyes and on more occasions than I can count, my human intuition told me that what they needed more than anything in that moment of difficulty was to be touched, held, comforted. I went on that way for five years. I quit my job and became a massage therapist. My belief is that before we can integrate touch in the classroom we need to listen to the concerns and fears of the parents, teachers and administration. Gentle, thoughtful education and demonstration is the key to helping children and staff get the touch they need.
David F. Eilers
Albany, New York

Public school is an appropriate place for children to experience healthy touch, because in our country, especially, this is something that has faded away almost into nonexistence. It is an issue that is screaming out for our attention to be addressed, but are we really listening? In these very same schools there are children who are acting out violently against each other, against the staff, against their families at home. [It is] time to change how we are doing things in this country in regards to this topic. One person can make a difference, but this cannot change with one person alone. Let us unite in our cry for wellness, wholeness, happiness in this country, together. Because together, we can accomplish anything that we want to.
Rebecca Winn
Provo, Utah