Special Population.

The article discusses the benefits of massage therapy to patients with Down syndrome. Down syndrome results from a chromosome abnormality or having three copies of a particular chromosome instead of two. The different musculoskeletal complications associated with Down syndrome include instability of patella, hip dislocation due to laxity of the connective tissues and hypotonicity of muscles surrounding the hip joint. Massage therapists should develop the sensitivity to know the client's need for touch, the communication techniques needed to understand and meet those needs, and the willingness to provide these services.