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Story Massage and the Power of Metaphor

Published on 30th January 2017

Story Massage

Story massage is a really simple way to bond with your child and help them heal some of their issues through metaphor. I am writing a book including simple stories that can be used with massage and would like to know what issues your children have that story massage can help with. You can see an example below about jelousy If you give me an issue, I will try and write a story around it and email it to you. The massage part is easy. You just drawer on their back (can be over clothes) So for the example below you could draw the sun- a big circle, leaves , long strokes indicating the giraffes long neck, little wavy lines, ripples of water at the waterhole, finger tips drumming the splashes the elephant makes , a wiggly line for the elephants trunk. You just need to get their permission before you start and explain what you are going to do and that they can ask you to stop.

The power of story telling and metaphor cannot be underestimated. This combined with touch creates an incredibly powerful language that reaches deep into the unconscious of the recipient and begins to instal new neural pathways. Story massage can be used very effectively to help your child embrace their life story. For more information on courses on touch and attachment.

Jelousy

The little giraffe was very proud of his long neck. It meant that he could see higher than anyone else and eat delicious leaves off the tall trees.

He loved being with his mum and playing with all the other giraffes.

The little elephant loved having a long trunk. He could suck up water and squirt it over his back whenever he was hot and squirt water at all the other baby elephants.

One hot sunny day, all the giraffes and elephants from the African plain went down to the water hole to drink. Usually the animals went peacefully without bother as elephants and giraffes can live side by side and share the area where they live.

On this hot and dusty afternoon however the little giraffe was feeling grumpy from being so hot and thirsty.

He went to the water hole to drink and found his long neck really bothersome. He had to stretch is legs out and bend a long way to get the water.

When he looked up at the little elephant, drinking so easily and have fun with the other elephants, he just exploded with rage.

It just wasn’t fair that he had such long legs. Why should the elephant have a trunk to drink and squirt water when he didn’t.

He barged past his mum and almost knocked her over and ran off into the forest, trampling the grass flat and scaring the birds.

He hadn’t had a drink so to keep his mind off being thirsty he started munching the delicious leaves from the top of the trees. The munching and chewing calmed him a little.

Then he heard a strange sound. He looked around and saw nothing.

Then he looked down and saw the little elephant had come into the forest and was shedding a tear.

He was so hungry but all the leaves from low down on the trees had been eaten long ago.

There was nothing that the little elephant could reach.

The giraffe came up with a brilliant idea. He pulled the branches at the top of the trees down so the little elephant could reach them.

Then he asked the elephant to go back to the water hole with him and squirt him with water.

The giraffe had the best day ever cooling down and playing in the hot African sun and making a new friend.

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