You sit clothed in a chair or lie on a bed (wheelchairs and hospital beds are fine!) and after a friendly introduction, you enjoy skilled touch. The massage is meant to soothe emotional stress and agitation, reduce pain, and be a time of simple reassuring pleasure. I always check in first to see your current mood and physical state. Sometimes I include acupressure to enhance alertness, swallowing, and urinary health. I usually include very gentle movement to loosen stiff joints and circulation. Lotion is used on dry skin, either your own, or unscented cream which I bring.
Geriatric massage meets the specific needs of people with mobility restrictions, cognitive impairments, and emotional challenges. It provides stability and a safe time in an unpredictable world. It is excellent for conditions such as Alzheimer's, Arthritis, Dementia, Depression, Diabetes, Parkinson's, Strokes, GAD (general anxiety disorder), caregiving burnout, and healing from trauma. It often speeds recovery from surgery and falls. It can be a good source of drug free pain management.
Clients tell me it feels wonderful! They say they feel more flexible! They feel like they finally had a good rest!
Group Geriatric Massage is offered only to facilities or groups. Participants sit in a community room and receive a 10 minute massage session. (1 hour includes appointments for 5 people).
This time is like a mini Spa Party! Consider it fun entertainment for 1 or 2 hours. People can sit on any type of chair, including recliners and wheelchairs, or my massage chair which a face cradle and pads for knee rests. I can spend time on tight necks, shoulders, hands, feet or any desired area, even backs. I adapt to the person's posture to provide ultimate comfort in dealing with mobility issues and impairments.
Just receiving friendly reassuring touch gives a sense of wellbeing and connection to the world. It's an easy way to perk up spirits, and to provide something safe and interesting to look forward to.
It helps if a sign up list is posted before the event time.
Acupressure is based on the principle that touching a specific point on the body releases actual and energetic blocks in your body. This allows your energy to flow, and creates physical and emotional balance.
I use my fingers and palms WITHOUT LOTION to apply gentle steady pressure to the points to stimulate and open the blocks. It can involve touch on the head, arms or legs. Sometimes even the belly or back. It is very calming, and people often say they have less pain and feel more relaxed. People sometimes feel the energy flow, and they feel more alive and able to cope. It's excellent for emotional upsets such as frustration, grief, depression, and feeling overwhelmed. It can help with swallowing or urinary issues and being constantly tired.
Because I don't use lotion, it's a simple easy process of just sitting or lying and receiving comfort. You don't need to move or do anything except breathe.
You can return to a sense of hope and relaxed strength!!
You sit in a chair or lie on a bed while I rub, press, and stroke your hands or your feet. I also gently rotate and move your fingers and wrists (or toes and fingers) only as much as you like. Clothing doesn't have to be removed, not even socks, if that is preferred. Lotion is optional, either your own, or unscented which I bring.
It feels wonderful, and often brings flexibility to hands and arms. It can reduce pain in arthritic joints and swelling in ankle areas. It can bring a sense of feeling grounded and being in harmony with your entire body. Sometime balance and gait issues are improved, if therapy is consistently repeated.
Traditional reflexology is based on the concept that everything in your feet (or hands) is linked to other areas of your body. An example is that your big toe and your thumb represent your head and neck. I can spend the whole time on your arms and hands or on your feet and legs. It should feel super good!
Traditionally this bodywork is done on a soft futon (mattress), which I bring to you. You lie down fully clothed on the futon on the floor. This location is preferred because I connect points from the top of your head down to your toes.
I assess your hara (belly) which shows which areas of your body need attention to balance energy. There are 14 meridians which travel like little rivers or electric lines in a network along your arms, legs, head and torso. I gently press acupressure (acupuncture) points in a sequence along your back or front, and over your limbs to open the flow of energy. Sometimes I gently guide you into mild stretches which bring harmony and flexibility to your mind, body, and spirit.
People usually say they feel deeply relaxed yet also energized after Shiatsu.
Each basic meridian is the pathway for a specific organ and emotion. During therapy I usually activate the associated pathway. If an issue is longstanding I can stimulate or sedate other elements to overcome chronic patterns.
Some Meridian Examples -
The Stomach meridian deals with digestive issues, and feeling strong, nurtured and connected to earth, a sense of belonging. I focus on it if someone feels lonely or overwhelmed.
The Heart meridian deals with feeling happy, feeling calm, and safe. I focus on it to help recover from profound shock, depression, anxiety and insomnia.
The Kidney meridian organizes the urinary system and many other areas. I focus on it if someone has issues with urinary infections or incontinence. It helps restore a sense of vitality if someone is constantly tired.