Massage for HealthMassage for health is something we should all consider because our health is probably the most important thing we have. This however is devoted to promoting wellbeing in someone who is chronically sick, disabled or elderly. Massage for health - not just about body massage.Massage doesn’t just have to be about massaging someone’s body and it is not just for younger people either. Massage for some people, especially older people can seem quite intimidating; it is probably something they haven't had before or something they would contemplate. However, massage can be given to the hands, the face or the feet and is far less intrusive and more acceptable.If you are a carer of someone who is chronically sick, disabled or elderly, giving them a hand, face or even foot massage will be very rewarding for both the giver and the receiver. 
Touch is a great way to communicateMassage is a powerful communication and if you are visiting a relative or friend who is long term sick, in hospital, disabled or elderly and living in a care home; a simple hand massage will speak a thousand words and may spare those moments when there is little or nothing to say. Also, touch and massage are a good way to stimulate memories of past days and past events, bringing about new topics of conversation initiated by the person whose memory may have become dulled.Massage For Health is a title I have given to the practice of massaging someone who is chronically sick, disabled or elderly to improve wellbeing and general state of health. But what do I mean by state of health? Our state of health really is how we feel and not our actual physical state. This might seem strange but our health is how we perceive ourselves to be not what we actually are. A person might say “I feel lousy” when actually all they have is a hangover and also it is possible to say “I feel fine” when they are suffering from terminal cancer. Of course the hangover will vanish and the terminal cancer will not. Our state of health is depicted by how much we are suffering. If we are in pain, we will feel bad but if the pain abates we will feel better, despite the same condition prevailing. A person might feel unwell, go to the doctor and be told they have a life threatening disease and then rapidly deteriorate because of the true knowledge of their state. Others however, might fight back and get stronger. Our state of health is also reflected in how much we are being cared for or not. Someone who is receiving good care will in all probability feel much better than someone who is receiving little or no care. Health is often a state of mind and poor health can sometimes be a cry for help.
Helplessness and isolationPerhaps one of the worst things about chronic sickness and I do include all in this, is the sense of helplessness, of losing control and independence. This can compound the feelings of sickness and especially if the person feels isolated.Isolation is probably the worst thing a person can encounter because we are naturally social beings and need company for our own wellbeing. And it is not just a case of being in the company of others but having genuine communication with them. Many people in care homes have company but feel isolated because they have no meaningful communication there. Massage for elderly, chronically sick and disabled people.Long periods of living alone can of course create the feeling of isolation and it can decrease ones communication skills over time. This is why a simple hand massage can be so powerful because it is communication without words.We all know how good a genuine hug feels because it is a real human encounter. So too with massage, it is a meaningful and genuine communication of touch which responds to our deepest need of nuture. Lasting effectsThe physical effects of receiving a massage last a good while after the massage is completed; however the emotional effects can last even longer, especially if the person has felt isolated, alone and worried. Massaging someone shows you really care for them and that does not go away after you have left their side. This is the most important thing to remember when giving massage, especially someone you care for or have feelings towards.Some simple rules about giving a massage for health.
1) Always ask “Would you mind if I massage your hand?” or “ May I….” Don’t just assume someone will want you to. It may be a totally new experience for them. If they are reluctant, say that you have learnt on good authority (maybe from a doctor or nurse) that a gentle hand massage will be good for them (A lot of people still think that the word of a doctor or nurse is gospel). If they still decline, don’t force it.
2) Show confidence and don’t mess around with someone’s hand or face, it will not feel good. Why not
learn how to massage?
4)Purchase some none scented hand & face cream or try and find out their favourite fragrance; use sparingly, just enough to allow the movements to glide.
5) Remember the skin of an elderly person may well be thin, don’t press in too hard and always ask the person how it feels to them. 6) The slower the better, sometimes soft squeezing movements will suffice but keep the movements going over the part you are massaging. Repetitive movements over the same place can be very annoying. 7) Don’t go on too long, even a few minutes might be enough. 8) Stroking can feel nice too but again don’t do the same thing for too long, it may irritate.br> 9) If you massage the face, the person will have to be sitting up in a chair and it will be easier to stand behind them. 10) If you do the feet, it is best if the person is sitting and the feet are raised. Extra note: massaging the feet maybe the most difficult thing to psychologically get your head round, maybe because feet sometime smell or maybe because you have to kneel down at the other person’s feet. If you do it, do it with confidence and do it because you want to do it and if necessary, use a scented foot cream! Also if you wash a person's feet in a slow careful fashion and dry them thoroughly, that can be as good as a massage; it is a very profound thing to do. (Jesus washing the feet of his disciples). Massage for health is something everyone can do, not just for others but for yourself. Why not try
self massage
for your own personal health.
A selection of books relating to chronic ill heath - also the power of touch
|
