June 2011 [Volume 10, Issue 6]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Pediatric Massage: A Nurturing Intervention for Autism
• Is Dancing a Way To Beat Alzheimer's?
• Caring Too Much

Pediatric Massage: A Nurturing Intervention for Autism

Researchers have found that children with autism spectrum disorders show less stereotypical autistic behavior, are more social and attentive after receiving massage therapy and have less anxiety. It is estimated between 56 percent and 83 percent of children with autism spectrum disorders experience sleep disturbances. Often, by incorporating massage therapy into daily routines, children with autism experience decreased issues with sleeping. When utilized by caregivers, massage therapy might help strengthen the emotional bond between parent and child.

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Is Dancing a Way To Beat Alzheimer's?

In this study, researchers wanted to see if any physical or cognitive recreational activities influenced mental acuity. They had seniors aged 75 and older participate in certain activities (reading, doing crossword puzzles, bicycling, swimming, golfing and dancing), and measured the reduced risk of dementia these activities produced. The results were surprising: bicycling, golf and swimming offered no protection, the mental activities offered minimum protection, and dance offered the greatest protection of all.

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Caring Too Much

Compassion fatigue is a relatively new term. Dr. Charles Figley, an expert on the subject, describes it as, "a state experienced by those helping people in distress; it is an extreme state of tension and preoccupation with the suffering of those being helped to the degree that it is traumatizing for the helper." He goes on to say that, "the capacity for compassion and empathy seems to be at the core of our ability to do the work and at the core of our ability to be wounded by the work."

Read the full article.

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