Training parents of children with life-long and life-limiting conditions in the art of massage

SummaryThe aim of this study was to explore the experience of being a massage therapist on the Training and Support Programme (TSP) in relation to Continued Professional Development (CPD). The TSP instructs parents caring for children with life-long and life-limiting conditions in simple massage techniques. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews with six massage therapists who had worked on the TSP for between 112 and 4 years. Therapists reported a number of beneficial gains including increased knowledge about ‘disabilities’ in general and a greater understanding of caring for children with life-long and life-limiting conditions, more patience, enhanced confidence of their practice, ability to adapt, and compassion. All therapists felt privileged to be a part of the process of change that occurred for parents and their children during the TSP. The results of this study will add to the scarce literature concerning massage therapists’ CPD and provide insight into their experiences of working with parents and their children with a range of life-long and life-limiting conditions.