Massage Therapy

“It is through our hands that we speak to the child. That we communicate. Touch is the child’s first language, understanding comes long after feeling.”

 – Frederick Leboyer

Infant Massage

At 8 weeks in utero an infant develops it’s sense of touch.  They move their bodies against themselves and their parents. A stroke on a hand touching a mother’s abdomen, a baby’s movement against itself in the womb, these are the first massages we all receive.

Infant Massage is a centuries old tradition of providing nurturing touch as a way of initially communicating and bonding with your child to foster trust, respect, and understanding.

I always encourage Parents and Caregivers to use nurturing touch with their child as soon as they are born. In healthy full term infants Massage routines can be practiced on a daily basis. Taking an Infant Massage class at around 3 weeks of age is ideal. The strokes and styles of infant massage are easier to grasp and retain when demonstrated by experienced instructors. Pressure, rate, rhythm, the length of the massage, respect, bonding, why baby cries, baby’s body language, positioning of the baby, specific techniques to help relieve colic, constipation and other digestion discomforts, relaxation and parent empowerment are some of the skills and topics that you will learn.

*Specialized Massage Techniques can be used with infants born prematurely or with special needs to help them thrive and arrive home sooner. These techniques should be taught to the parents as soon as possible when it is medically safe for the infant to receive Massage.

Children who learn healthy views of touch and are provided with positive tactile experience by their caregivers are more likely to grow up to be adults with healthy self-esteem, a sense of appropriate boundaries and long-lasting intimate relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hospice & Palliative Care Massage Therapy

Hospice is a concept of care. It is about providing comfort and dignity for anyone at any age during a serious illness or the end of life.

There is usually a team providing this care consisting of several Therapists (i.e. Massage Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist), Nurses, Doctors, Clergy, Home Health Aids, Counselors, and Social -Workers who work together for a patient who has been diagnosed with an illness that leaves them with 6 months to a year to live. Providing the best quality of life during this time is their goal.

While there are In-Patient Hospice Facilities, the majority of Hospice Care is provided in a Patient’s Home, Hospital, or Skilled Care Facility.

Palliative Care is any Non-Invasive Holistic Treatment provided by Therapists, Doctors, and Nurses to address the symptoms the patient is experiencing to bring them as much pain relief, and comfort as possible.

Hospice Massage is the practice of Therapeutic Massage, Compassionate Touch and Bodywork techniques that give the patient a non-pharmacological alternative to help reduce pain, fear, anxiety, and possibly medications, while increasing comfort, relaxation and peace to enhance the quality of life for the ill and the dying.

Compassionate touch is more than a set of Bodywork Techniques. It is about giving attention with intention; a comprehensive approach of Focused Touch and Sensitive Massage with specialized Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Skills.

We are there to hold space for the patient and to connect with them on a deep level so that they may feel safe and comforted. The Massage is not intended to cure the illness, but rather to bring about emotional and spiritual healing through the power of Compassionate Touch.

The strongest thing in the world is TENDERNESS. “People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel”

– Maya Angelou

Geriatric Massage Therapy

Geriatric Massage is in essence the same as any regular type of Massage Therapy with the difference being the specialized knowledge and application of the Massage Therapist.

Seniors have many levels of development or decline from healthy, to fragile, which can change very rapidly.  Being able to work within those various levels of health with compassion and understanding is extremely important.

A good Massage Therapist should know how to adapt Massage techniques to fit their Senior Clientele along with an understanding of the specific physical, mental & emotional challenges they face and the medications associated with them in order for them to receive the most beneficial treatment for their Mind, Body & Spirit.

Research continues to show that Massage Therapy can ease symptoms and improve the lives of seniors dealing with many health issues such as:

As a Certified Geriatric Massage Therapist one of my goals is to provide healing touch for my clients. The other is to educate them about what massage can do for their body. Whether you are robust, age appropriate or frail, everyone and every day is unique.

Seniors, who regularly receive massage either as a relaxation session or a specific therapeutic one will tend to stay healthy longer, are able to be more active and have a greater overall quality of life.

What Massage Can Do For You

These are just some of the many Benefits:

• Provides Nurturing Touch
• Increases Systemic Circulation For Faster Healing, Which Aids In Faster and Better Recovery from Injuries, Illness, and Surgeries
• Boosts Immune System By Stimulating Lymph Flow, The Bodies Natural Defense System
• Reduces Edema
• Lubricates Joints and Increases Range Of Motion
• Reduces Stress & Fatigue Decreases Pain from Arthritis Assists With Preparation and Recovery From Workout Decreases Symptoms Of Depression Improves Sleep Patterns Improves Digestive Function Connects your Mind, Body & Spirit Provides An Enhanced Sense of Well-Being by Bringing the Body Back to Balance and Improving All of your Body System Functions

Frequently Asked Questions