Palliative Care Using Massage Therapy

Palliative care using massage therapy can bring about both physical and emotional benefits when applied gently. Normally focused on the soft tissue, it can be used alongside other treatments and is a wonderful complementary therapy.

Typically, deficiencies of movement and muscle dysfunction do not worsen over time. United Cerebral Palsy estimates 760,000 Americans (children and adults) manifest one or more forms of CP. Between 9,000 and 10,000 babies born each year will develop a form of cerebral palsy. Between 1,200 and 1,500 preschool-age children will be recognized and diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year. Boys have a 40 percent greater chance of developing this condition than girls.

Using Light Gentle Massage Strokes

Palliative care massage therapy should always be administered by an expert in neuro-massage. They will adapt their techniques to suit the client, taking note of their state of health and any symptoms that are being exhibited. For instance, lighter strokes are used for any areas of the body that are problematic due to excessive tenderness or the attachment of medical equipment.

Palliative massage must not be confused with a standard remedial massage; this is a specific type of treatment, tailored to suit the client’s physical and emotional state. It has been shown to help a great deal with:

Pain
Tiredness and fatigue
Stress
Anxiety and depression
Sickness or nausea

An experienced palliative care massage therapist will use massage in a very special way, helping to improve the way the client feels and their general quality of life. It is important that those dealing with a life-threatening illness do not suffer mentally, hence this type of massage will work to improve their sense of wellbeing.

Personal treatment plan

When seeing a palliative care therapist privately, you can expect them to ask permission to contact your GP or hospital for access to your full medical history. Before the massage is given, they will ask about all of your symptoms, both physically and emotionally. It is vital that you disclose everything to them, such as feelings of pain, sadness, stress or discomfort. This way, you will gradually build a relationship with your therapist, enabling them to provide the perfect treatment to suit your needs.

Once the therapist has taken a full medical history, including details of the illness, symptoms and current treatments, they will create a treatment plan developed around the outcome that the client is hoping to achieve. Massage for palliative care is so gentle that it can safely be used for those diagnosed with chronic or terminal illness. When used correctly, it can help support a person throughout all stages of suffering.

Creating a connection

Massage and the power of touch is very important. Even a patient that is very ill can benefit from feeling a connection with someone else. If other senses are shutting down, such as sight or speech, the gentle touch of a palliative massager provides them with a real connection and feeling of not being alone.

It is always recommended that the first massage is conducted using a very light pressure. This way, the therapist can note the effects of the massage upon the body and adjust the massage going forward if necessary. It is important that they receive feedback from the person receiving the massage so that the whole experience can be perfectly tailored to suit their needs.

Communicating with your massage therapist

If this is your first massage, you need not feel worried or anxious. The therapist will do everything possible to ensure your comfort during the process. Towels or blankets will keep you warm and the room that you are being treated in will be comfortable and private. Depending upon your preferences, natural oils and lotions may be used to enhance the treatment; your therapist will talk to you about this before your treatment begins.

If at any time you feel the need to talk to your therapist during the massage, do not hesitate to do so. Communication between the two of you is vital in order to enable them to apply the treatment in the right way. You will find them emphatic, flexible and welcoming, always ensuring that you are happy with the treatment being administered.