Back-to-School Stress & Kids’ Nervous Systems: How Massage and Craniosacral Therapy Can Help
✏️ The Back-to-School Transition Isn’t Easy
The back-to-school season is exciting—but let’s be honest, it can also be overwhelming. New teachers, shifting routines, earlier mornings, and after-school activities all add up to extra stress. For kids whose nervous systems are already working hard—whether due to anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or neurodivergence—this transition can feel especially tough.
The good news? Gentle bodywork therapies like massage and craniosacral therapy can help kids regulate, feel calmer, and adapt more smoothly.
🧠 Why Back-to-School Is Hard on Kids’ Nervous Systems
Routine changes → Summer flexibility gives way to rigid schedules, and the shift can spike stress.
Sensory overload → Busy classrooms, noisy hallways, and constant transitions overwhelm even the calmest child.
Performance pressure → Worries about keeping up academically, fitting in socially, or excelling in sports can weigh heavily.
Fatigue → Early mornings and long days leave little time for rest or regulation.
These aren’t “bad behaviors.” They’re signs that your child’s nervous system is under stress.
🌿 How Massage Therapy Helps (Carla’s Approach)
Carla Feher, RMT, specializes in supporting kids experiencing stress, burnout, and sensory challenges. Her massage treatments help regulate the nervous system by:
Promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety
Supporting deeper, more restorative sleep
Relieving physical tension in the traps, neck, and back—often tight from stress and screen use
Massage provides children with a safe, calm reset that carries into school and home routines.
🌙 How Craniosacral Therapy Helps (Allyson’s Approach)
Allyson Ranger, RMT, focuses on craniosacral therapy and trauma-informed pediatric care. Her gentle, light-touch sessions support:
Calming overstimulated nervous systems
Helping kids with ADHD, ASD, or anxiety who struggle with self-regulation
Encouraging body awareness, focus, and emotional balance
For kids who are sensitive to touch, craniosacral therapy offers a safe and effective way to regulate.
💛 Why This Matters for Families
Back-to-school stress affects more than kids—it impacts the whole household. When children feel calmer and more regulated, parents often notice:
Easier mornings
Smoother transitions at pickup and bedtime
Fewer meltdowns or shutdowns
Bodywork can’t remove the stressors of school, but it can give your child (and you) the nervous system support needed to navigate them with more resilience.
✅ Next Step for Your Child
If your child is struggling with the back-to-school transition, our team is here to help.
👉 Book a pediatric massage or craniosacral therapy appointment and give your child’s nervous system the care it needs this season.
📚 Further Reading & Resources
💛 Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean back to stress—with the right tools and support, kids and families can thrive.
