Beginnings in the UK

A shared common core curriculum as solid base is necessary for the programme to be successful. This base can also serve as a tool to help credibility and promote professionalism. The ultimate vision is that there will be thousands of MISP instructors and hundreds of MISP trainers,  teaching and sharing their dedication with love so that the nurturing touch will become a way of life for children in all schools, world-wide.

Using massage in schools is quite a new concept in modern day society. Although massage, in some native and traditional cultures, is as old as mankind itself. It is only in the past century that science has been able to explain the benefits of massage. When the profession of massage therapists became recognised in modern society, studies regarding massage began to emerge everywhere. The studies give credibility to the practice of massage itself as a tool for health, Stress management and well being

Infant massage

There are many schools of thought and many forms of massage. Massage Therapy Schools offer a wide variety of different types of massage courses. Some massage therapists have developed approaches directed to specific populations and age groups. Infant massage is now well recognised throughout the world mainly because of the work of the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM). IAIM was founded by Vimala McClure, who became inspired by the massage she observed while working in an orphanage in India. Subsequently, she created a routine of massage strokes for parents that consisted of Indian massage, Swedish massage, reflexology and gentle movements derived from yoga. Other approaches to baby massage brought into modern culture have also been mostly inspired by massage in traditional culture.

Massage and children

Massage therapists have also developed massage approaches for individuals with special needs, young children in pre-school, and elderly people living in nursing homes. It is only recently that massage was introduced in schools. It has been done at local levels by individuals searching for ways to help the well-being of children at schools.

Various authors have written books on massage for children. Some of these approaches were for therapeutic reasons and some were developed for massaging children in hospitals. Others were developed for the nurturing touch and the enjoyment of massage, and many times the parents were included.

The idea of children massaging each other (peer massage) was slowly brought to consciousness by individuals who saw that there are amazing ways of improving relationships and social skills among children by using a nurturing touch approach.