Along my journey of learning about end of life care and how hospice photography can benefit those involved in that journey, I have come across many additional end of life services that are available. Many of these services I wish I had known when my brother was in hospice.
During my research, I came across Comfort Touch Massage Therapy. I was fascinated with this type of therapy. Looking back I realize how beneficial massage therapy can be for those transitioning through their journey. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Theresa Conde, LMT, a member of the American Massage Therapy Association who practices Comfort Touch massage therapy in my area. Almost instantly I felt a connection with Theresa and her commitment to give comfort through massage. She too believes that the end of life deserves to be pain free with dignity and respect.
The fundamental principle of Comfort Touch massage is to give comfort through massage techniques the assist relaxation and pain relief. It not only can help ease physical pain but also emotional/mental pain and enhances the quality of life. The priority is the comfort of the patient/client. Comfort Touch can be beneficial for the caregivers and family members also.
I was reminded once again of my brother and the feelings he shared with me. In most every conversation we had, he almost always mentioned to me that the thing that made him the happiest was holding his wife’s chubby little hand. He would also state how important a hug is to everyone and on many occasions told me to imagine him giving me a hug. On many occasions we find comfort when someone hugs us, wraps their arm around us, places their hand on the small of our backs, or even hand on our knees. A gentle touch on the arm, a caress on our cheek, a light massage of our shoulders, so many acts involving touch brings relaxation and comfort. It makes sense that Comfort Touch Massage is beneficial for anyone involved with the end of life journey.
Touch is a primal form of communication for human beings, critical at both the beginning and the end of life. Massage therapist and experts in touch. Knowing how, when how much and how long to offer touch to bring comfort and relief, including those experiencing life-limiting illness and nearing the end of life.
It is well know that skin-to-skin contact can help regulate newborns’ temperature, heart rate and breathing. Research has uncovered the correlation between anxiety, depression and stress and how touch, or the lack of, are related. It has been found that touch calms our nervous center and slows our heart rate. It can lower our blood pressure as well as cortisol levels, the stress hormone. This strategy is not only beneficial for newborns, but it can also help at the end of life
I wish I had known about this service and so many others before. But in reality, there are so many things swirling in one’s head, that without prior knowledge of this type of therapy existing, I would have never thought of it at that time. That is why I’m providing this information now. It is my hope that other’s may benefit from this information.
You can find Theresa’s information at: https://relaxandheal.amtamembers.com/
You can find other massage therapist at: https://www.amtamassage.org/find-massage-therapist/
Best Wishes
