HOW TO MUSCLE TEST:

The toddler age group is one of the hardest to muscle test - not impossible but it takes a lot of flexibility on your behalf!

Use the 'kangaroo paw' (brachioradialis) and you may also need surrogacy from mum. (I often switch between the 2!)

Full 'balances' are often not possible. But a 'find and correct' approach is best. i.e. find a point, work on it. Find a chakra, work on it.

There will be 3 different types of children you get in. Remember the attention span is usually 15-20 minutes max!

1. They will lie on the table and comply.

2. They will comply but will want moments of control and breaks from the session. This is the most common group I will see. Try and start the session on the table, but be prepared to help them feel powerful and in control by allowing them the option of playing or sitting with parent if they don't want to hop up onto the table. Usually the session (even a 1/2hr session!) will consist of all 3. Wear clothes to clinic that allow you to be comfortable to sit on the floor, standing at the table and in front of them sitting with mum! Rarely will the child be lying on the table. Moving positions (sitting, horizontal across a vertical table, up north, head south, underneath the table, on the floor, sitting with mum!). Try and get them to keep lying on the table upright just to maintain a sense of "this is what we do here", but expect that you won't be able to enforce this! Especially for the first 3 sessions.

3. They will refuse altogether. With this group, I give them a feeling of control- from picking the oils we use to where they sit. It will be obvious with their response that we are working with calming the nervous system to begin with! Give them the option of lying on the table or sitting with mum. More than likely they will want to sit with mum. I start by working on their feet while they are cuddled into mum. Surrogate test with mum and make general chit chat. You can apply all corrections to the points/reflexology areas in the feet. The first session or so will be about establishing rapport.

The key is to make everything flexible and lighthearted - if you let go of control/following a procedure yourself, you'll be happy to go with the flow, allowing the child and parent to feel more comfortable as well.

Have a 'nothing is sacred' policy within your room when working with kids! Things will get touched/ moved about/ and at times broken.

Many of the children I see will have a little ritual when they come into the room. They will check out the oils, crystals and then go to the box and find their favourite toys while the parent and I chat for the first 10 minutes.