Massage Therapy

Therapeutic massage and skilled touch have numerous benefits. Many of the physical benefits of massage for the hospice patient are similar to those experienced by any other client – softening and releasing tight muscles, improving circulation, reducing generalized aches and pains, nurturing and calming.

Indications for massage in the hospice setting:

• Multidimensional pain (especially if intractable and only
  somewhat responsive to drug therapy)
• Anxiety/agitation
• Depression
• Muscle spasms and/or contractures
• Lymphedema/edema (whether due to drug side-effects/mechanical
  insufficiency of the lymphatic system/disease process)
• Insomnia
• Terminal restlessness
• Stress
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Decubitis ulcers (or to aide in their prevention)

Massage can:

• Address feelings of isolation, loneliness, fear and boredom
• Help to restore feelings of self-acceptance and self-esteem
• Comfort while actively dying
• Provide nurturance and loving care
• Facilitate emotional release
• Provide an opportunity for relationship building
• Enhance memories of positive touch experiences, thus providing
  peace, joy and love
• Assist in providing care to family members (excellent stress reliever)