November 14, 2009

Hello,

Massage therapy can provide relief and comfort for people experiencing a wide range of conditions. This month, let's take a brief look at the benefits of massage for a few different situations.

Menopause

Massage helps a woman get in touch with her body, and with all the changes of menopause, women often need this time to reconnect to their bodies and reinforce a positive body image.

Massage can help relieve anxiety, irritability, and fatigue. It can improve circulation and lymphatic flow to help relieve joint pain and improve range of motion of the joints. Massage can also reduce menopausal headaches, leg cramps, and neck and shoulder tension.

Every woman is unique in how she experiences menopause, so the best type of massage depends on her individual needs. Swedish massage is great for relaxation, deep tissue massage may work best for someone with a lot of tension or pain, and energy work may be best for a woman who is feeling especially sensitive or vulnerable.

Parkinson's Disease

Massage for Parkinson's Disease can help improve movement and range of motion. A 2002 study from the Touch Research Institute showed that people with Parkinson's who received massage rated themselves as having improved daily functioning and less disturbed sleep. Massage also relieves stress.

Various massage styles, including deep tissue massage, reflexology, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Swedish massage, and Watsu, may be approprate. Massage needs to be specifically tailored to the needs of each individual. A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology recommends that massage for Parkinson's be done only under a doctor's supervision.

Hospice Massage

For people at the end of life, massage can offer support and comfort. In addition to the benefits of massage available to everyone, massage for hospice patients can help prevent pressure (bed) sores in people who are not mobile by stimulating circulation to susceptible areas. Massage may also help some hospice patients manage stress and lessen pain, sometimes reducing the need for pain medications.

Touch is often comforting and nurturing for people who are approaching death, especially if they have little social contact with others. Although hospice patients may reach a point where massage is no longer desired, tolerated or appropriate, maintaining contact is essential.

Aromatherapy Massage

Adding essential oils for an aromatherapy massage can enhance its relaxing or pain-relieving effects. If you haven't yet downloaded my free aromatherapy e-book, it's available at Aromatherapy and Essential Oils.

This is probably my last massage newsletter for 2009. Have a great holiday season. See you in the new year.

Carol