Benefit Your Mind, Body, and Spirit
The quality of life for people in hospice and palliative care is often compromised. Research has shown that massage therapy can provide comfort and relaxation, and help alleviate the following symptoms and conditions commonly associated with this population:
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Loss of sleep
- Depression, mood disorders
- Stress
- Nausea
- Fatigue
Depending upon each patient’s individual needs and condition, slow, gentle massage techniques applied to areas not affected by the patient’s condition, can be quite beneficial.
Even if there are some limitations on how a hospice patient may receive massage therapy, the overall benefits are significant.
Massage therapy impacts the body, mind and spirit.
- Massage alleviates aches and pains, resulting in:
- A possible reduction in need for pain medication
- The ability to perform activities of daily living with greater comfort
- Massage increases circulation, contributing to:
- Improved skin condition
- Decreased risk of pressure ulcers
- Massage provides tactile stimulation, which:
- Alerts the senses
- Increases body awareness
- Massage induces a relaxation response, leading to:
- Improved quality of sleep
- Greater ease of breathing
- Calmed agitation
- Compassionate and caring touch supports emotional well-being by:
- Providing a pleasing way to interact with others
- Offering a means for non-verbal communication
- Focused touch enhances spiritual well-being, resulting in:
- Being grounded in the present moment
- Greater sense of self-worth