PARENTING / HEALING Touch is critical to the development of babies and children. It establishes both their sense of self and their connectedness to the rest of the world. Donna Finando shows that touch is also key to restoring health when illness occurs. As a mother and grandmother, she has experienced the frustration and helplessness of watching a sick child suffer. As an acupuncturist and massage practitioner, she has found there are many simple ways parents can provide relief and even healing for many common childhood ailments by using touch therapy. Trigger point therapy releases restricted muscles, and acupressure allows energy to flow freely, activating the body's remarkable healing abilities. Colds, sore throats, ear infections, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and even asthma are some of the common conditions that can be relieved by acupoint and trigger point touch therapy. Finando presents an in-depth explanation of each condition, providing information on causative factors, dietary and behavior recommendations, point techniques that can offer relief, and when to seek medical help. The gentle techniques that form this healing practice also extend to other parent-child interactions, offering a comprehensive model for the care and nurturing of children. DONNA FINANDO, L.Ac., L.M.T., is a practitioner of acupuncture and massage specializing in myofascial meridian therapy and myofascial release techniques for the treatment of chronic and acute pain and dysfunction. She lives on Long Island, New York, where she has been in continual practice since 1976. She is coauthor of Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain and the author of Trigger Point Self-Care Manual.