In February 2009, I was contacted by a long time client of mine. She had a friend who's daughter had suffered greatly from a traumatic brain injury. This client explained a little about the young women, how she had been a long time friend of the mother and how it grieved her to see the daughter in such a state. She said "Fran, I don't know if you could, if you would consider going to them and giving the daughter massage if I give it as a gift? I feel it maybe of help to her." I paused and thought a moment, then agreed. I was put in contact immediately with the family.
Being with incapacitated individuals was not new to me. I had worked for a few years in nursing homes as a Nursing Assistant and volunteered in hospice situations with massage therapy. One year prior I was fortunate to work with another case referred to me of a women who had suffered a stroke two years earlier. Her weekly session brought her physical comfort and a will to push herself in all that she was still capable of doing. Each case presents it self and in the evaluation as a therapist, I know where my limitations go; and yet in this and a similar one I have been awe struck.
Upon my arrival, it was explained to me how the family; on their own, had done alternative therapies such as acupuncture and at that present time physical therapy. This young women was not able to track with her eyes, vocalize, nor respond in anyway to conversations. No coordinated movements of any sort. They had been attempting to get responses with eye blinks or even hand squeezes but to little avail. No movement on her own at all. I explained what I would do and how I could help her (all while under my own breath praying for guidance). I then proceeded to set the mood for the first of many sessions to come.
It is now 3 years later and I am happy to report that this young women has made tremendous progress. While she had been receiving physical therapy sessions, those soon after stop about close to a year after I began to work with her. I went from biweekly to weekly massage therapy sessions . During those 3 years we incorporated acupuncture again for a short period of time when I felt that my massage techniques had hit a road block. This aided in increasing the blood circulation to specific areas.
She has gone from being none communicative to laughing, smiling, enjoying the latest in gossip, even showing displeasure when she feels the need to. Physically, she had regain flexibility and movement in her arms, released of restrictions in her neck and shoulders allow more control over head movements and control of posture with ease.
What did I do? I used every massage strategy in my cache along with, common sense approach to body mechanics and a little intuitive touch. It is amazing to see how something so seemingly simple can bring about such dramatic results.
Why Did Thereaputic Massage Work?
In this case as well as a second brain trauma both clients showed marked physical improvements with weekly massages.
Circulation was not only important to the limbs but has also played a part in mental awareness, impeded further skin break down, stimulated nerve responses and improved vocalization. Massage also brought about the flexibility needed to work limbs within their range of motion. It also released superficial and deep myofascial restrictions. These types of restrictions not only cause immobility but pain. Myofascial releases have been a great key to their improvements.
Overall, it is without a doubt that we can certainly prove, massage is not just about distressing; but holds therapeutic value in recovery efforts after catastrophic illness.
Writen by Frances Dunston, LMT
Frances is a trained licensed massage therapist in Brooklyn, New York. She holds her New York State License in Massage therapy with focus on medical and restorative massage techniques. Frances utilizes her experience from neuro-muscular massage, sports therapy, and Shiatsu energy modalities. She can be contacted via email: fusiontherapywellness@gmail.com
