Swedish Massage is a very relaxing and therapeutic style of bodywork. It combines oils or lotion with an array of strokes such as rolling, kneading, and percussion to reduce stress and improve the body's natural ability to heal. The benefits of this type of bodywork are wide-ranging and include relief from aches and pains, decreased stress hormone levels, reduced blood pressure and increased flexibility. This type of work is incorporated in sessions with most of my clients.
This type of massage is designed to meet the specific needs of the elderly. Types of strokes used, amount of pressure applied, and specific stretches are adapted to the condition of the client, since this population varies widely in levels of health and fitness. Sessions are provided either in my home office or in the client's home (including institutional settings).
Massage for elders can improve quality of life by reducing stress, increasing circulation, lowering blood pressure, relieving pain, improving balance and mobility and increasing range of motion. If you or your loved one are elderly, massage can help you maintain and improve your overall health, as well as regain certain physical functions that have been reduced due to aging. In addition, since the elderly don't typically receive enough physical touch, massage can also help alleviate symptoms of loneliness or depression. Special care is taken for working on fragile skin and clients with osteoporosis. Assistance is provided, when requested, for dressing, and additional support is provided for positioning on the massage table. Some clients receive massage while seated in their favorite chair or while in their bed.
Sessions are generally no more than 30 minutes for clients who are frail. Additional charges apply if the client must be seen in their residence or in an institutional setting and if a massage table is provided by me.
Geriatric massage is a form of massage designed to meet the specific needs of the advanced aged. Interactions between the therapist and the client are adapted and appropriate massage techniques are used for those with fragile skin, mobility limitations, memory issues or who are no longer speaking, for example. Massage can improve blood and lymph circulation, relieve pain, and increase range of motion. Massage can reduce agitation, with a goal of lessening the need for antipsychotic medications. Geriatric massage can help maintain and improve overall health, as well as restore certain physical functions that have been reduced due to aging. The elderly too often receive physical touch mostly in conjunction with help in dressing, bathing and toileting. Massage provides touch for the sake of touch, which can help alleviate symptoms of loneliness or depression.