Are you a parent, grandparent, or caregiver of a colicky infant? Do you know anyone who is dealing with this all-too-common challenge? According to kidshealth.org, experts estimate that up to 40% of all infants have colic. Digestive challenges in babies can be downright frustrating for both parents and caregivers alike.

“The truth is that within each of us lies the power to cast all misery aside and to KNOW complete Peace and Oneness” – Mary Burmeister

There have been many stories of how a simple use of your hands can bring relief. Imagine a beautiful, perfectly healthy baby girl; we’ll call her Susie*. Just a few weeks after being born, Susie’s parents notice she seems to be spitting up a lot during every feeding and would cry inconsolably after feedings. A trip to the pediatrician’s office revealed that Susie was losing weight, most likely caused by acid reflux. The doctor suggested starting her on Zantac® and adding a teaspoon of rice cereal to every bottle. He said the crying fits were caused by colic and acid reflux. Susie’s parents followed the pediatrician’s advice and the bouts of spitting up seemed to improve.

Unfortunately, the crying fits were not alleviated by the pediatrician’s treatment plan. Susie’s symptoms also seemed to be aggravated by large groups of people. Susie would scream inconsolably and large family get-togethers became almost unbearable for her parents.

Luckily, Susie’s aunt was a Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner.

When Susie would get worked up at family functions, her aunt would take her to a quiet room and apply simple, gentle touches over her abdomen. At first, Susie would scream and cry, but her aunt was very calm and patient. She would apply various sequences to different areas of Susie’s anxious little body. After what seemed like an eternity to Susie’s mother (but in reality was only a few minutes), Susie’s high-pitched wails became silent sobs, and finally harmonized into deep, gentle breathing. It was as if her little body was saying thank you as she drifted off to sleep. Susie’s aunt was the only person in the family who was able to console her this way. Others tried, but only her aunt’s gentle but targeted and purposeful touches could provide relief. Susie’s parents were able to learn some of the specific touches, and applied them at home.

Susie is not the only child whose colic symptoms have been alleviated through the use of Jin Shin Jyutsu®. Since Mary Burmeister brought the art of Jin Shin Jyutsu® to the United States in the mid-20th century, many parents have been moved to attend self-empowerment classes to learn how to apply these holds/sequences to their colicky children, passing along skills that their children can use throughout their lifetime.

Because touch therapy and energy medicine can be so effective in assisting with treatments for babies with colic, Mary Burmeister was prompted to create a tool that could benefit children and parents alike. This resulted in a pictorial book called “Fun with Happy Hands”, which teaches children of all ages simple and fun ways to help themselves. The colorful illustrations provide an introduction to the Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu®.

One thing that differentiates Jin Shin Jyutsu® from other energy or touch therapies is the focus on self-empowerment. It is an art that can be learned by anyone willing to help themselves (or wanting to help their children). A combination of periodic visits to a Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner plus regular application of self-help routines provide the best results.

In addition, Jin Shin Jyutsu® is completely non-invasive, unlike other forms of energy medicine that require the application of pressure or massage to achieve results. The client/child lies fully clothed on a table (or sits fully clothed on the parent’s lap, depending on the area that is being worked on), and the practitioner applies a very gentle touch in specific sequences based on the child’s symptoms until the energy flow harmonizes.

*(not her real name)