More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Massage Therapy For Stroke Survivors
According to StrokeCenter.org, stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States.
In any form it can completely change the course of a persons life and put a taxing strain both financially and physically on the survivor and their families.
How well a stroke survivor recovers depends on many factors the extent of neurological damage, the immediacy of physical and occupational therapy, the dedication of the survivor to recovery and the support of family and friends to boost recovery.
While physical therapy and occupational therapies address the intrinsic aspects of stroke survivor recuperation, massage therapy can assist recovery in both the physical and mental attributes associated with stroke. Using a variety of massage techniques, a trained massage therapist can help relaxed muscle spasticity and reduce adhesions in joint capsules with gentle joint manipulation.
Somatosensory, how the brain interprets touch, temperature and our bodies place in space, can be accessed through massage using vibration, varying degrees of pressure and temperature and texture stimulation such as warm or cool stone massage.
These methods may help to stimulate new neural pathways especially using bilateral integration. For example, if someone is having difficulty with their left hand, therapy would consist of massaging both hands with equal pressure and the same massage strokes while guiding the client to visualize the touch to both hands.
Stroke clients can also experience depression and anxiety because of their new limitations. Massage therapy can induce a calm and relaxed environment that can reduce stress and evoke a sense of peace and wellbeing.
When choosing a massage therapist to assist in stroke recovery, it is beneficial to ask if they have done additional study and training in stroke recovery. Additionally, clearance from the attending physician or physical therapist is highly recommended.
