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Medical - Geriatric Massage
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Description
Using the same basic massage techniques as general massage, a Geriatric
Massage is tailored to the specific Health condition and needs of the
elderly client. Geriatric massage has the following characteristics:
- Short sessions - A geriatric massage session usually lasts no longer
than 30 minutes for new clients and a maximum of 55 minutes for
experienced clients.
- Use of gentle hand motions - These motions are comfortable and
soothing to the body. They are designed to improve blood circulation and
heart function, prevent diabetic complications, relieve muscle tension,
and relax the body and the mind.
- Passive movement and gentle stretching of shoulders, legs and feet to
improve joint mobility and flexibility.
- Gentle massaging of the hands and feet (if the joints are not
inflamed) to prevent stiffness and relieve pain.
- Occasional use of stronger movements such as friction and pressure
strokes. These are sometimes used to massage such areas as the shoulders
to improve flexibility.
Key Benefits
- Increase in blood circulation, thus preventing such complications of
diabetes as leg ulcers or gangrene.
- Improvement in lymphatic flow, which increases the excretion of toxic
substances from the body.
- Alleviation of headache and pain.
- Speeding up of healing from injury and illness.
- Partial restoration of mobility lost due to Parkinson's disease or
arthritis.
- Mental and physical relaxation.
- Improvement in length and quality of sleep.
- Relief of stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
- Improvement of the patient's quality of life and self-esteem.
Treatment Data
Please read this additional information...
Author/s: Mai Tran
Definition
Geriatric massage is a form of massage designed to meet the specific
needs of the elderly population. It involves the use of hands to manipulate
the soft tissues of the body to improve blood circulation, relieve pain, and
increase range of motion. Active or passive movement of the joints may also
be part of geriatric massage.
Old people often suffer from a variety of such age-related diseases as
Parkinson's disease, arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease. As a result,
they have poor blood circulation and limited physical activity. Many of them
are also anxious, depressed and lonely. Geriatric massage can help them
maintain and improve their overall Health, as well as regain certain
physical functions that have been reduced or lost due to aging. In addition,
it can relieve anxiety and depression and provide comfort to touch-deprived
elderly patients.
Origins
Modern massage techniques were brought into the United States from Sweden
in the 1850s by two brothers, Dr. Charles and Dr. George Taylor. Their
massage technique was invented by a Swedish fencing instructor named Per
Henrik Ling in the 1830s. When he was injured in the elbows, he reportedly
cured himself using tapping movements around the affected area. He later
developed the technique currently known as Swedish massage. This massage
technique involves the application of long gliding strokes, friction,
kneading and tapping movements on the soft tissues of the body. Passive or
active joint movements are also used.
Benefits
Geriatric massage offers the following benefits:
- Increase in blood circulation, thus preventing such complications of
diabetes as leg ulcers or gangrene.
- Improvement in lymphatic flow, which increases the excretion of toxic
substances from the body.
- Alleviation of headache and pain.
- Speeding up of healing from injury and illness.
- Partial restoration of mobility lost due to Parkinson's disease or
arthritis.
- Mental and physical relaxation.
- Improvement in length and quality of sleep.
- Relief of stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
- Improvement of the patient's quality of life and self-esteem.
Description
Geriatric massage uses the same basic massage techniques as general
massage. It is, however, tailored to the specific Health conditions and
needs of the elderly population. Geriatric massage has the following
characteristics:
Short sessions. A geriatric massage session usually lasts no longer than
30 minutes, as a longer session may be too much for an elderly person.
Use of gentle hand motions. These motions are comfortable and soothing to
the body. They are designed to improve blood circulation and heart function,
prevent diabetic complications, relieve muscle tension, and relax the body
and the mind.
Passive movement and gentle stretching of shoulders, legs and feet to
improve joint mobility and flexibility.
Gentle massaging of the hands and feet (if the joints are not inflamed)
to prevent stiffness and relieve pain.
Occasional use of stronger movements such as friction and pressure
strokes. These are sometimes used to massage such areas as the shoulders to
improve flexibility.
Precautions
Geriatric massage should not be used as a replacement for exercise
programs or medical treatment in nursing homes. In addition, it should not
be given to elderly patients with the following conditions:
- broken bones or body areas that are inflamed, swollen or bruised
- open or unhealed bed sores
- varicose veins
- recent surgery
- severe acute pain
- certain heart conditions
- certain kinds of cancer
- a history of blood clots (The blood clots may become dislodged and
travel to the lungs as a result of massage.)
- drug treatment with blood thinners (These medications increase the
risk of bleeding under the skin.)
Side effects
Geriatric massage is very gentle and rarely causes adverse effects. More
vigorous forms of massage, however, have been associated with bleeding in
such vital organs as the liver or with the formation of blood clots.
Research & general acceptance
Geriatric massage is gaining acceptance in the medical community. It is
being prescribed to elderly patients to improve blood circulation and
relieve arthritic symptoms. It is sometimes prescribed for Parkinson's
disease patients to help improve mobility. While most patients have to pay
for this service, some insurance companies do reimburse prescribed massage
treatment. As of 2000, however, Medicare and Medicaid do not pay for this
treatment.
Training & certification
There are 58 school programs accredited by the Commission for Massage
Therapy Accreditation/Approval in the United States. The schools provide a
minimum of 500 hours of massage training. Certified therapists are graduates
of these programs who have passed the national certification examination in
therapeutic massage. They are also required to participate in continuing
education programs to keep their skills current.
Key Terms
- Massage - A rubbing or kneading with hands or other parts of the body
to stimulate circulation, make joints more supple, and relieve tension.
- Parkinson's disease - A progressive disease caused by degeneration of
the basal ganglia of the brain. Its most common symptoms are tremors and
muscular rigidity.
- Varicose veins - Swollen and distended veins in the superficial skin
layer of the legs.
Further Reading
For Your Information
Books
- Beck, Mark F. Milady's Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage, 3rd
ed. Albany, NY: Milady Publishing.
- Maxwell-Hudson, Clare. Massage: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide. New
York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1999.
Organizations
- American Massage Therapy Association. 820 Davis St., Suite 100,
Evanston, IL 60201. (847) 864-0123. Fax: (847) 864-1178.
info@inet.amtamassage.org .
http://www.amtamassage.org .
- Day-Break Geriatric Massage Project. P.O. Box 1815, Sebastopol, CA
95473.
- National Association of Nurse Massage Therapists. 1710 East Linden
St., Tucson, AZ 85719.
- National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. 8201
Greensboro Dr., Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102. (703) 610-9015 or (800)
296-0664.
Source: Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Gale
Group, 2001.
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