These caregivers are training in magical massages, a fun activity to soothe hospitalized children

At the La Rochelle hospital, childcare workers and nurses were trained in magic massage, a method of storytelling massage to soothe children during their stay in pediatrics. Then, they train the parents, the opportunity for them to form different bonds with their hospitalized children.

Gentle gestures for a moment of well-being. Seven caregivers are training in magical massages, a fun method to soothe children in hospital. Using small cards, a whole range of ideas for pictorial massages, such as the locomotive or cat's paws.

The cards are accompanied by a short audio story for children aged 2 to 10. Many artists like Virginie Efira, Amir and Elie Semoune have lent their voice to the project.

“This can be useful for children who are there regularly, who are present on several hospitalizations, explains Laura, a nurse taking part in the training. Offering them times of calm and relaxation, with their parents or brothers and sisters if they are present, I tell myself that it can bring a moment of well-being despite the hospitalization which is in progress and all that they can suffer alongside.”

Laëtitia Houdart, the trainer, shows the different pressure points that can be achieved: “If I try to put pressure, it doesn’t work, do you feel that? It’s interesting even in terms of feeling.”

We tend to give them games, to call on the people who are there to distract them, but that can be something that we can bring to them. I find it not bad to be able to entertain them and make them think of something else. thing and have a good time.

Indeed : “We know that massage has benefits, notably lowering blood pressure, increasing body temperature, reducing muscle tension, promoting attachment, we return to this notion of connection with the people who bring it to us”adds the speaker.

See our report

After this training, these caregivers will transmit the method to the parents. They are the ones who perform the massages on their children.

Charlie, 7 years old, has a foot infection. He will spend three days resting in the hospital, with his father Tugdual. So, Laura shows him how to launch the application and then gradually explains the actions to reproduce.

“I'm Jennifer, I'm going to teach you how to garden”says the voice of history. “OWe create furrows, we plant carrots, we close the furrows.” Laura, the caregiver, imitates the gestures on Tugdual's back so that he can reproduce them on his son.

A welcome initiative for this dad: “I found it very fun and especially for Charlie who is in a hospital room. It passes the time, it gives a different contact. I didn't know these stories of fun massages, it's very good!”

After learning to garden, he can teach his son the toast dance or even just give him heart-shaped massages on his hand, as the trainer explained: “I show my child that this is my love for him, because this is a very difficult time and I love you very much.”

A way to revalue the role of parents in the hospital and to take away the pain for a moment.