A touch that's special

Dubai aromatherapist touches the lives of children with special needs

Touch is a sensation that children with special needs are all too familiar with. They are hugged and cuddled and held in different ways throughout the day aiming to teach them to do different things, be it drawing, eating or walking.

But to have nimble fingers gently massaging their little muscles, stroking them with a tenderness aimed at pure relaxation is a special kind of touch indeed. This massage, supplemented with essential oils, is the special kind of touch that is meted out to children at Al Noor Centre for special needs by Helena Pierloot-Rich, a qualified aromatherapist (MISPA, MIFR, MICHT) and reflexologist.

Helena studies the complete medical, emotional, physical, social and physiological background of each child and then decides on the type of holistic treatment that could be given. Aromatherapy and massage is specific and thus different for every child.

So while the blend of oils is different for each child, the duration of the massage is also varied. For example, children with cerebral palsy are given a full body massage for about 45 minutes.