We know it can ease our aches and pains, but massage also has an impressive track record in helping improve infants' development.

"Abnormal movements or delayed development in babies can be improved by massage," says Bangkok senator Rosana Tositrakul, who launched a Thai Holistic Health Foundation project for massage volunteers to improve the health of babies from underprivileged families.

"Western research shows that massaging a baby every day for one to two months improves its brain and muscle function," Rosana says. She cites a US study in which senior citizens were taught how to massage babies. Not only did the babies' development improve, but symptoms of depression in the seniors began to disappear too.   

"I was close to tears when a baby I had massaged for more than a year - who couldn't even sit up  was able to walk and run," says Tidachanok Wongpitak, a 23yearold volunteer.

Another volunteer, Kanida Khanthisuwan, 37, says she actually cried when an infant with emotional problems made eye contact and smiled at her after three months of massage.        

Rosana recommends that parents should gently massage their infants for 10 to 15 minutes every day, with seven strokes each on their arms, wrists, stomach, back, legs and face. 

The project has been running since 2005 in collaboration with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Pakkred Home for Babies and the Holt Sahathai Foundation. More than 700 people have volunteered so far, 70 of them providing massage for babies at Pakkred.

Massaging babies helps boost their immune systems, blood circulation and lymphatic systems, makes muscles strong and joints flexible, and stimulates endorphin release in the brain, bringing feelings of relaxation.    

From newborn babies to toddlers - gentle massage is safe and beneficial to all infants.

A massage oil such as grapeseed, or baby lotion, should be used while massaging.

Call (02) 591 8092 or (086) 338 5247 for more information.