Geriatric Massage– Massage therapy geared toward the aging population and their specific needs.
Geriatric massage presents a challenge, because many of them have physical problems that complicate and interfere with diagnosis and treatment of any single illness. Diseases of one organ system place stress on other systems. Many older people also have nutritional deficiencies because of limited incomes, poor dental status, and other problems. The elderly also run increased risks of complications from surgery, and convalescence takes longer because damaged tissues recover more slowly. The longer periods of bed rest can also lead to pneumonia, bedsores, and circulatory disorders. Medications are metabolized more slowly, as well, and their effects are prolonged in the body. Massage can greatly assist and bring relief from the above listed problems and by preventing strokes, relief of joint pain, and remove toxins from lymphatic system that may otherwise increase disease.
Web resources:
Daybreak Massage- Geriatric massage project
MTJ Research Literacy – Massage at end of life Martha Brown Menard, PhD, CMT & Cynthia Piltch, PhD, CMT, June 21, 2008 Massage Therapy Journal
The Power Of Human Touch In Alzheimer s Care (PDF) Dawn Nelson Massage Therapy Journal
Hakomi- Developed by Ron Kurz in mid 1970’s. Hakomi means “How do you stand in relation to these many realms” in the Hopi Indian language. Body based psychotherapy to assist clients in accessing their core beliefs that influence their behaviors. Hakomi Integrative Somatics enables people to discover the habitual, automatic attitudes (both physical and psychological) that form the basis of their patterns of experience. Full training 1 1/2 years.
Book Resources:
Body-Centered Psychotherapy- The Hakomi Method -Ron Kurz
Web resources:
Hakomi Integrative Somatics
Hawaiian/ Lomi- Lomi– Originated in the Hawaiian Islands, based on the traditions of the Polynesians and Pacific Islanders. Lomi-Lomi is one of the most beautiful forms of massage treatments as it looks more like a dance done by the practitioner. There are many forms of Lomi Lomi that originated with different families. When giving a massage you are supposedly massaging 5,000 years of ancestors. A session begins with a ritual asking the client what results they want from the session. The massage technique itself consists of graceful, sweeping arm movements and ceremonial music. The elbow and forearm are used along with fingertip shiatsu like pressure point work. Development of the practitioner is main focus using breath and acknowledgment of a Higher Power.
Auntie Margaret- Margaret Machado, RN., Hawaiian authority on Lomi-Lomi
Hellerwork- Developed by Joseph Heller who was a student of Ida Rolf’s and the first president of the Rolf Institute in 1975. He was an aerospace engineer before getting into bodywork. He also studied bioenergetics and gestalt theories along with Aston-Patterning before he set off on his own. He devised an 11 session structural integration process combining it with voice dialogue techniques. Sections of the body are worked on as you talk about things relating to that area such as “how do you hold yourself back” when back work is being done.
Book resources:
Bodywise: by Joseph Heller ISBN: 0914728733
Web resources:
Joseph Heller’s home page- founder of Hellerwork
Hellerwork.com
Voice Dialogue method – Hal and Sidra Stone’s site: developers of voice dialogue
Homeopathy – Holistic method of stimulating the body’s life force based on Samuel Hahnemann’s Law of similar’s. Homeopathy means to treat with something that produces an effect similar to the suffering. Remedies are made with diluted mixtures of plant substances that when given full strength may cause the problem or imbalance. The higher the dilution the stronger the remedy. Symptoms are the attempts of the body to heal itself. Repressing them with drug therapy causes the root cause to remain. Homeopathy is not the same as Naturopathic Medicine. Naturopaths usually practice Homeopathy.
Book Resources:
Healing with Homeopathy by Jennifer Jacobs, MD
Web Resources:
www.homeopathyhome.com
www.homeopathy.com
www.homeopathic.org
Hot Stone Massage– river rocks heated and placed on the muscles. In my opinion very overpriced.
Web resources:
LaStone Therapy – One of the first
Hydrotherapy- They use of water as therapy. Water can be used in many ways and forms as a treatment method. Ice therapy, heat therapy, steam, baths, poultices are just a few of the ways. Can be done in a treatment or done by the client at home to continue healing.
Indian Head massage
There are two “schools” of Indian Head Massage – one is called champissage and the other is shiroabhyanga . (Shiro = head
and mind, abhyanga = massage) You can find out more about it here:
http://www.aiihm.org/
Indian Head Massage An Ancient Tradition For Modern Times
By Kamala Thiagarajan: Massage Magazine
Infant Massage– Massage that addresses the special needs of infant. Much research has been done to show that touch is very beneficial when done at an early age. It stimulates growth and is nurturing to the soul. Techniques can be done to stimulate digestion and calm an upset baby.
Web Resources:
International Loving Touch Foundation
International Association of Infant Massage–
Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators
Baby’s First Massage– classes to become a certified infant massage.
Iridology – Eye analysis that detects warning signs of physical, mental and spiritual imbalances. Started by Hungarian physician, Ignatz Von Peezlvy and carried on by Bernard Jensen among others. The various patterns found in the iris correlate to different organs of the body. Used to detect weak organs, glands and tissues, lymphatic congestion, poor assimilation of nutrients.
Web resources:www.iridology.com