DEATH.
Death.
There comes a time in every one's life where we face this scary word. But for some of us - or other who have seen a different light shed on this word, this is not scary at all. It is merely and end of a chapter and now its time to start a new book. Maybe a longer book this time!
Death is something we will all have to face one day regardless if we like it or not. Even if we eat the healthiest, most strict diet known to man. We will all face death and look him straight in the eyes when it comes our turn. Death may come to our closest friends and family before it comes to us. In the meanwhile we can learn more about it, try to make it less fearful for those of us who are not near the end of their book but only in the middle.
Remember, death is not something that only happens when we are old, but young too. tragically.
That is not supposed to happen when we are young. Yes, unfortunately it does.
Some African cultures, spend as much money and resources as physically possible to celebrate the departing. Families actually go bankrupt doing these because they believe the larger the celebration "because the departed spirit’s success in the afterlife is directly dependent upon how fully they are celebrated by those they leave behind. The people of Benin also believe that the departed spirit can lend a helping hand to those still living, assisting them from the next world — wherever that may be."
(http://www.pagosaenergymassage.com/massage_news.phpmode=viewnews&id=10867&cat=9)
Some other cultures do different things to celebrate the end for their fellows. However, in the States of America- what do we do? We always tend to get sad, be miserable, get angry, feel guilty, etc... We are not the celebrators here are we?
Tibetan and Hindu believe in something very different once again- They believe the mind body and soul go through many stages after death. First being quite confused... " wait, what just happened? Did I really die? Already?..." Most people who have died long for rebirth.
So how do we help these lonely people who are going through this ? What can we do for our dying friends and family? Ever consider a massage??
I have read many stories about massage therapists giving full body massages to 70, 80, 90 and even 100 year old. The frail, boney, thin skinned bodies are sometimes hard to deal with. Sometimes even skin tears could occur. I would recommend no deep tissue. Only light effleurage, skin tears are hard to heal. Most of us, if not all of us know that tissue hold emotions. Many of the encounters the geriatric client was crying, or became very talkative when not before. There was actually one case where a woman finally told her children after 93 years that they were born out of forced intercourse. This came about after having a massage.
Even with all of our advanced technology, the ancient and most effective pain treatment is touch. The human touch is very powerful. The majority of us had it growing up as kids. If we bumped our knee, momma always kissed it or rubbed it to make it feel better. Nowadays, being adults we tend to rub ourselves when we hit the corner of a table or what not.
"Massage has proven to be extremely useful for some hospice patients in managing stress and alleviating pain, which can reduce the need for psychotropic and narcotic medications, all of which have their own negative side effects.
A primary benefit of massage for those who are less mobile or bedridden is its use in helping to prevent pressure sores. Once referred to as "bed sores," these skin ulcerations are most likely to occur over bony areas of the body, such as the tailbone, buttocks, elbows, shoulders and heels, that are in constant contact with a mattress.
Massaging areas of the body that have been most recently under pressure--thus stimulating circulation at the susceptible points, along with encouraging the patient to change positions frequently--has long been recommended in nursing manuals as an aid in preventing pressure sores. The massage therapist can also be on the lookout for reddened, thinning or "hot" areas, and give that area immediate attention.Hospice patients may experience dry or itchy skin as a side effect of inactivity and drug therapy, or as a reaction to body systems beginning to shut down. Such a condition can cause further agitation for a person who is already feeling anxious, weak and vulnerable. A moisturizing massage lotion helps alleviate dry skin. It feels soothing and nurturing, and can help calm a troubled spirit. (http://www.amtamassage.org/)
Sometimes, there also comes a time when massage is no longer tolerated. At this time, they would probably have just your company, your intent, your comfort rather than touch.
Even some schools are integrating "death attitudes" into their curriculum-
National University of Health Sciences is a not-for-profit, private university in Lombard, Ill., accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education. They also have a massage therapy program. This is originally where I was accepted into for school. However, life in the dying process can be an isolating, lonely, painful experience for both the individual and his or her family. Hospice services, however, can be an enormous help in providing care and pain relief during this stressful time. For some hospice patients, part of that care now includes the benefits of human touch and massage therapy steered me into another state.
- National University actually begins their trimester with a "death attitudes" Its a survey where students get to fill out and share their beliefs, attitudes and comments about death.
{Chicago is one of the few places in the country that has a hospice program offering complementary therapies. In addition to massage Hospice Partners offers its patients art therapy, music therapy and Reiki. Their volunteer department also provides "meet and greet" visits from certified therapy dogs and their handlers.
In addition to the partnership with NUHS and its student interns, Hospice Partners employs one part-time massage therapist on its staff and two contract massage therapists.
Hospice Partners is also participating in a National Institutes of Health Study that is researching the benefits of massage therapy for reducing end-of-life symptoms for cancer patients. - From http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=13610}
I want to help everyone. But it takes time and research to find out the needs and the wants for each individual and thier disease or position in life. I do not want to leave anyone out when it comes to massage therapy.
NAMASTE.
There comes a time in every one's life where we face this scary word. But for some of us - or other who have seen a different light shed on this word, this is not scary at all. It is merely and end of a chapter and now its time to start a new book. Maybe a longer book this time!
Death is something we will all have to face one day regardless if we like it or not. Even if we eat the healthiest, most strict diet known to man. We will all face death and look him straight in the eyes when it comes our turn. Death may come to our closest friends and family before it comes to us. In the meanwhile we can learn more about it, try to make it less fearful for those of us who are not near the end of their book but only in the middle.
Remember, death is not something that only happens when we are old, but young too. tragically.
That is not supposed to happen when we are young. Yes, unfortunately it does.
Some African cultures, spend as much money and resources as physically possible to celebrate the departing. Families actually go bankrupt doing these because they believe the larger the celebration "because the departed spirit’s success in the afterlife is directly dependent upon how fully they are celebrated by those they leave behind. The people of Benin also believe that the departed spirit can lend a helping hand to those still living, assisting them from the next world — wherever that may be."
(http://www.pagosaenergymassage.com/massage_news.phpmode=viewnews&id=10867&cat=9)
Some other cultures do different things to celebrate the end for their fellows. However, in the States of America- what do we do? We always tend to get sad, be miserable, get angry, feel guilty, etc... We are not the celebrators here are we?
Tibetan and Hindu believe in something very different once again- They believe the mind body and soul go through many stages after death. First being quite confused... " wait, what just happened? Did I really die? Already?..." Most people who have died long for rebirth.
So how do we help these lonely people who are going through this ? What can we do for our dying friends and family? Ever consider a massage??
I have read many stories about massage therapists giving full body massages to 70, 80, 90 and even 100 year old. The frail, boney, thin skinned bodies are sometimes hard to deal with. Sometimes even skin tears could occur. I would recommend no deep tissue. Only light effleurage, skin tears are hard to heal. Most of us, if not all of us know that tissue hold emotions. Many of the encounters the geriatric client was crying, or became very talkative when not before. There was actually one case where a woman finally told her children after 93 years that they were born out of forced intercourse. This came about after having a massage.
Even with all of our advanced technology, the ancient and most effective pain treatment is touch. The human touch is very powerful. The majority of us had it growing up as kids. If we bumped our knee, momma always kissed it or rubbed it to make it feel better. Nowadays, being adults we tend to rub ourselves when we hit the corner of a table or what not.
"Massage has proven to be extremely useful for some hospice patients in managing stress and alleviating pain, which can reduce the need for psychotropic and narcotic medications, all of which have their own negative side effects.
A primary benefit of massage for those who are less mobile or bedridden is its use in helping to prevent pressure sores. Once referred to as "bed sores," these skin ulcerations are most likely to occur over bony areas of the body, such as the tailbone, buttocks, elbows, shoulders and heels, that are in constant contact with a mattress.
Massaging areas of the body that have been most recently under pressure--thus stimulating circulation at the susceptible points, along with encouraging the patient to change positions frequently--has long been recommended in nursing manuals as an aid in preventing pressure sores. The massage therapist can also be on the lookout for reddened, thinning or "hot" areas, and give that area immediate attention.Hospice patients may experience dry or itchy skin as a side effect of inactivity and drug therapy, or as a reaction to body systems beginning to shut down. Such a condition can cause further agitation for a person who is already feeling anxious, weak and vulnerable. A moisturizing massage lotion helps alleviate dry skin. It feels soothing and nurturing, and can help calm a troubled spirit. (http://www.amtamassage.org/)
Sometimes, there also comes a time when massage is no longer tolerated. At this time, they would probably have just your company, your intent, your comfort rather than touch.
Even some schools are integrating "death attitudes" into their curriculum-
National University of Health Sciences is a not-for-profit, private university in Lombard, Ill., accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education. They also have a massage therapy program. This is originally where I was accepted into for school. However, life in the dying process can be an isolating, lonely, painful experience for both the individual and his or her family. Hospice services, however, can be an enormous help in providing care and pain relief during this stressful time. For some hospice patients, part of that care now includes the benefits of human touch and massage therapy steered me into another state.
- National University actually begins their trimester with a "death attitudes" Its a survey where students get to fill out and share their beliefs, attitudes and comments about death.
{Chicago is one of the few places in the country that has a hospice program offering complementary therapies. In addition to massage Hospice Partners offers its patients art therapy, music therapy and Reiki. Their volunteer department also provides "meet and greet" visits from certified therapy dogs and their handlers.
In addition to the partnership with NUHS and its student interns, Hospice Partners employs one part-time massage therapist on its staff and two contract massage therapists.
Hospice Partners is also participating in a National Institutes of Health Study that is researching the benefits of massage therapy for reducing end-of-life symptoms for cancer patients. - From http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=13610}
I want to help everyone. But it takes time and research to find out the needs and the wants for each individual and thier disease or position in life. I do not want to leave anyone out when it comes to massage therapy.
NAMASTE.
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