If you have been receiving this newsletter for some time you will have come to realise that Zoe and I are not just about anatomy, physiology and massage. We each have many other interests and make no excuses for the fact that we sometimes get very excited about other things (chocolate, deep baths, big dogs, travelling...). One of the things that particularly interests me is the concept of entrepreneurialism. Are you born an entrepreneur or do you
become one? Do you choose self employment or is it simply an alternative to redundancy? Like many of you reading this, both Zoe and I are scrumptiously self employed. (Ok I added the word scrumptiously.) And at the start of this spanking new year I yet again acknowledge what a gloriously empowering state this is. When many are worrying about VAT increases and how they might tighten their belts, I'm asking, 'how can I bring in more income?' not 'where can I save?' And there lies all the difference.
Raise the Roof
By February 26th I need to have raised £1200 for my trekking holiday in Morocco with little Jake. Sunshine, sand and sky. Miles and miles of it. No one to talk to except a gurgling camel. Jake, myself and a handful of berber guides happy to busy themselves with putting up tents and being berbers, their quiet compraderie apparent as we trek, trek, trek in silence. We have to go on this holiday. Its become a kind of ritual. Getting away, the lull in conversation, lilt of the camel, nothing but ourselves under the stars. A time of replenishment and renewal. "Have we got £1200?" asked Jake when he saw me daydreaming. I love the way that our financial outgoings are discussed in the pleural and have become a joint affair despite the fact that he is only 11. I didn't want to say "no" just because £1200 hadn't yet materialised. So I said what I always say, "we've always got the money, I just need to call it home", at which he nods contentedly and goes off to shoot bad guys on the Playstation.
It was January 1st. Instead of cutting back on essentials (sushi, massage, Fenjal soap at £5.95 a bar) we decided to draw a huge thermometer on the wall, like those used to show how much money has been raised to replace stolen tiles from a church roof. Each day I go from room to room and open cupboards and drawers, pull out 5 things and list them on ebay. When they sell Jake colours in the thermometer. Last week was something of a triumph in selling supplies when I arrived home to find a large selection of toys available for sale. It seems that Captain Jack Sparrow, 15 pirates, a large selection of rubber dinosaurs and 6 propellerless corgi aeroplanes no longer hold as much appeal as riding a camel all day and the promise of lamb tagines for dinner. It already been a good week for raising holiday funds. A very nice man who used to
manage pop groups in the 80s came round and bought the 13 sheeps jaw bones I had in the cupboad under the sink. Delighted, he took them home and arranged them beneath a glass dome that used to house stuffed birds. Five ladies from Crewe fought a touch and go bidding war for the 8 tins of buttons I seemed to have amassed over the years, and a well-spoken woman in Islington took off my hands a large collection of enamel coffee pots and pans. Its an interesting experience. Suddenly, one reassess what is valuable and what is not, what holds sentimental value and what can be let go. Jake is optimistic at how easy it is to make money, ("you find a toy like a knight and his horse, you put it on ebay. A man who likes knights buys it and sends you the money even if its a bit dirty because it got buried in the garden?"). That was pretty much it. We may have nothing to cook in and safety pins holding together our clothes but the thermometer stands at £550. Will we make it?
Tooth and Skull Workshop
You know when I'm about you are never far from bones. They follow me around in the nicest possible way. I find them on the heath when walking, get sent them in the mail, and receive email alerts about bone-related events such as this one at the Hunterian Museum. Got kids who need something to do over the half term? Let them get their teeth into this one (heh heh heh). Its called Long in the tooth: Object handling workshop . For more info: www.rcseng.ac.uk/museums/events/family-activities
Breathable Cocktails
Ok so I'm not a cocktail drinker but I'm fairly certain most cocktails are mixed in a shaker and served in a glass and then poured into the mouth, for there's only one way to make and enjoy cocktails, right? Wrong! In his book Screw Work, Lets Play, John Williams provides a great example of how one team (Bompass and Parr) take an original twist on an old idea. They were commissioned to create a breathable cocktail, so they vaporised gin and tonic (as you do when you have nothing better to do on a cold January afternoon). In the process it was necessary to call in the help of an explosives expert as vaporised gin is apparently flammable above a certain level and I guess they wanted ensure their guests became enjoyably intoxicated not dangerously inflammed. Williams uses this story to demonstrate that there is always someone who has the answer to a question you might have (in this case it was "how much alcohol can you vaporise before it becomes an explosives risk?" (p79). Is there a question you need an answer to? Who might have the answer you need?
Straplines
Question: What do all of these phrases have in common?:
- Reset Your compass
- Just Do It
- Looking After Your World
- The magazine for a million voices for nature
- Soft, strong and very very long
Answer: They are all straplines for different companies, that is, they each appear after the name of the company and are used as a means of letting people know the ethos of that company, its
values, or simply what it stands for. Can you match the strapline to the company to which it
belongs? (for answers see end of newsletter). If you had a strapline what would it be? Would it be for you as a person or for you as a
business?
Did Anyone See....
That fantastic Lurpak advert? It was showing on the cinema screen when I went to see The King's Speech. A hungry man raiding the fridge makes an omelet and the viewer is one of the eggs. To see the advert go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1Y77SU3hD4 To see the film, go to your local cinema ; )
Monthly Treats
With January ushering in the new year with cold and wet weather it was nice to realise that I had not 'used' my monthly treat. Each month I give myself a £5 treat and last night sank into some brand new giant, fattest ever pillows. B-l-i-s-s. How little (ok in this case not so little) things can make a big difference. These pillows and the word r-e-l-a-x go together like coffee and cream. If you had £5 to spend on a treat what would it be?
Finally....
I'm really excited to have a date for the publication of Postural Assessment. Many of you volunteered to have your photos taken for this book in return for a copy, and you will be delighted to know that it is scheduled to be in the shops on Dec 13th. The publishers were very happy with the photos and manuscript and made very few changes to the material. I'm hoping that the 25 of you who took part in the photo shoot in the summer last year will receive your copy before christmas. Maybe we can celebrate with a Postural Assessment Party? (you can keep your clothes on this time).
Things We Think You’d Like:
// Venue Hire - Does anyone need to hire a large dance/workout studio? The Martial Arts Academy in NW5 are now hiring their venue by the hour during weekdays. Anyone interested can contact the venue direct at info@sas-martialarts.co.uk and see the room here www.saswingchun.com/about-us/branches/gospel-oak-hq/
// We love.... the blogg by Ann Barkman www.randomactsofkindness.org/Lee+Ann+Barkman/ If you too want to make the world a kinder place check it out.
// Congratulations! to our summer sports injuries & massage students who have recieved their exam results after a nerve-wracking wait. Well done all of you - we’re really proud! We also received the good news that Martin Belles, a visiting
therapist from Argentina, had his project accepted by the APNT and so has been awarded his sports injuries & massage diploma for the course he took with us autumn 2009. Martin went to considerable lengths to document his treatment of clients in many different countries, working hard to translate his material into English. Many students are challenged by studying for an advanced course and Martin's efforts show that it is possible to excel if you are committed.
Summary
The measurable, physiological improvements and the immeasurable psychological uplift and boost in self-esteem gained from regular massage treatments for the two sufferers of Motor Neurone Disease discussed in this document have had a positive effect on their and their carers‟ quality of life and could possibly have substantially extended that quality of life. It is therefore indicated that, when such a dramatic result is achieved from a critical starting point, it might be advantageous to consider commencing an holistic massage program from the point of initial diagnosis in order to retard the effects of muscle atrophy and wastage, to maintain circulation to inactive areas and to maximise the length and quality of a sufferer‟s remaining life.
Introduction
Since taking early retirement from my engineering job in 2006, I have been working as an holistic therapist running my own practice, specialising mainly in reflexology and therapeutic massage. As part of my weekly routine I volunteer for The Arthur Rank Hospice(ARH) in Cambridge. ARH offers terminally ill patients up to six free treatments provided by a team of volunteer therapists who visit them in their own homes. Through this scheme I was referred to and treated two Motor Neurone Disease sufferers: Pete and Maureen.
I'd had no previous experience of treating sufferers of MND and, before I met these two patients, had no real knowledge of the mechanism of the disease, how it manifests and how devastating it is. In building relationships with my two clients I also became acutely aware of how stressful it is for family members to fight to get the best care for their loved ones suffering with MND. Through this scheme I have not only been able to provide relaxation and a modicum of relief to my MND patients, but also provide some much needed release for their carers. I have found it extremely rewarding to be able to provide such relief and am grateful for this invaluable learning experience. Many people living with MND find that complementary therapies can help to make day-to-day living more comfortable and tolerable by helping to control symptoms. It is widely accepted that deep relaxation can help to reduce anxiety and stress. Massage, aromatherapy and reflexology are known to offer effective means of muscle relaxation, improve blood circulation and lymphatic flow and help to relieve pain by encouraging the production of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. Here follow two stories of how complementary therapies have benefited two of my clients who suffer from MND.
Pete’s story
My client Pete was good enough to grant me an in depth interview to help fill in some gaps in his story and to give his personal perspective on the value of the massage treatments he has received. In 2002 Pete first noticed that he was suffering with poor circulation, leg cramps, twitching and "lazy" right foot. By mid-2003, after specialist tests, he was diagnosed with MND. For three years his was able to continue his job overseas until he eventually came back to the UK in April 2006 when his mobility was so impaired that he could not perform certain aspects of his job without great hardship. As many elements of his work were computer-based, he was however able to continue to work at home. For a while he could move around well using a wheelchair and could still stand well enough to get around the house by holding on to rails and furniture. Only a few months after moving back to the UK, Pete‟s symptoms became much worse making it almost impossible for him to get up and down stairs. In November 2006 he and his wife moved into a specially converted bungalow to avoid the need to use stairs. Soon after the move his condition began to deteriorate at a faster pace. A hoist was needed to help his wife lift him. By the summer of 2007 Pete‟s breathing became much more difficult; his diaphragm was not functioning and he was having to breathe using his shoulder, chest and neck muscles. Because of his breathing problems, Pete was unable to sleep flat in bed, so was forced to sleep in his conventional, vertical-backed wheelchair. This meant that when he fell asleep, his head would slump forwards and to one side and he would wake up with chronic neck pain. He was also suffering from panic attacks when attempting to sleep. He couldn't get accustomed to the breathing machine and was typically only sleeping for around two hours a night. This lack of sleep was becoming a real issue. He was frustrated by his inability to work, which had often helped him through the long hours of the night. He was eventually provided with a neck brace, which helped to reduce part of the problem, but he found it very uncomfortable. Pete was at a really low point and the prognosis was poor. It was at this time that Pete and his wife were referred to me by the ARH scheme to hopefully provide some relief for the neck problem for Pete and, by reducing the panic attacks, help to relieve stress for them both.
“How on earth was I going to massage this?”
Initially, I have to admit, I found this challenge quite daunting with totally different requirements to the cancer patients I had previously dealt with. Pete's neck was contorted to the left and forward (he had not been given the neck brace at this point); the musculature to the left side of his neck, chest, shoulders and upper arms was wasted and atrophied; there was a lot of involuntary muscle twitching in his upper chest; breathing was pronounced and forced. It was especially noticeable that he was having to consciously use secondary chest muscles to expand his chest in order to breath. His feet and lower legs, in which he had no voluntary movement, were swollen and covered with approximately 80% cyanosis, which is a bluish colouration of the skin due to the presence of insufficiently oxygenated haemoglobin in arterial blood vessels near the skin surface, but Pete was keen to concentrate on the neck issues as a priority as he was getting some regular foot massage from his carers. Resting my hands on his shoulders for the first time revealed the extent of the muscle twitching and the degree of muscular activity needed just for breathing. How on earth was I going to massage this? This was where I needed to draw on all the massage skills I had been learning over the last five or six years and combine them to provide him with an effective treatment. With limited access to his neck and shoulders due to his wheelchair, I commenced with what was essentially a modified Indian Head Massage to establish contact and palpate as necessary. He was clearly having difficulty supporting his head so I cradled his forehead in one arm whilst standing to one side and deep stroking his neck muscles on the other side. He seemed to respond very well to this and was enjoying the rest that he got from having his head supported. Over the following few treatments I developed this concept and was able to relatively deeply massage the supporting neck muscles. Slowly but surely, his neck became more supple and strong. Pete told me he felt a reduction in pain levels and his posture became noticeably more symmetrical; he could hold his head more erect, breath and speak better and his general demeanour had improved enormously. After a long wait, Pete was eventually provided with an advanced wheelchair but, whilst it has multiple adjustments, it does not have any head support to help him sleep or rest the neck. As well as getting tangible muscular relief, what was emerging was the peace and relaxation that both Pete and his wife were getting from the treatment sessions. I felt that, in a way, by them both sharing the experience they were united. In effect I was passing each of them the caring, nurturing contact that they were no longer physically able to give to each other. They both looked forward enormously to their weekly period of pure relaxation, release and pleasure. For Pete's wife, the sessions gave her a break from, and some treatment for, the difficult lifting, manipulation on the hoist, organising care as well as a chance to just switch off, relax and meditate for a while.
Maureen’s story
The Arthur Rank Macmillan nurses similarly referred Maureen to me. Her case was especially poignant as she had, for some time, been a volunteer herself at the Hospice. Maureen was referred to me in early September 2007. She had been eventually diagnosed with MND in mid-2005 having endured a two year period of being treated for early stages of Parkinson‟s Disease. Although she does not have the same respiratory problems as Pete, she has almost total loss of movement in her left arm and leg but is, however, still able to weight bear to transfer from chair to wheelchair or bed albeit with some assistance. Her muscle wastage is most noticeable in the left triceps. Circulation in her arms and legs is poor and there is some fluid build up in her lower legs and ankles. The objective of the treatments was initially to provide relaxation and cheer her up a bit as well as improve circulation in her immobile limbs and lymphatic drainage to reduce fluid build up. The first few treatments I did with Maureen were on her lower legs only but, having heard about the results achieved with Pete, she requested some work on her arms, neck and shoulders and latterly I have included some elements of Indian Head and Face Massage to deepen the relaxation. In Maureen‟s case working is slightly easier as her smaller wheelchair allowed freer access to the shoulders, arms and upper back. To facilitate working I use a normal therapist‟s stool to enable sitting closer but to be able to move around freely. We then transfer her to a comfy reclining chair to finish the session with Reflexology and lower leg massage. She‟d had experience of gentle foot massage from the therapists in the Hospice Day Therapy unit and had been recommended to me by the staff so she knew a little about me and felt at ease with my visits from the outset. Initially she thought, as it was a free service offered by volunteers, that she had nothing to lose from trying it and then she would be able to assess whether it would be worth continuing privately afterwards.
“A psychological boost”
Maureen told me that her previous experiences at ARH Day Therapy Unit, whilst very pleasant and relaxing, were not really comparable with what I offered. She says it is the most relaxing thing she has ever experienced. She often complains of her limbs feeling heavy “like lead” before the treatment and is always delighted with the remarkable improved appearance of her legs following the foot and lower leg massage. The reduced swelling gives her a significant psychological boost with the physical effects lasting up to three or four days. She also finds that the massage significantly improves her skin tone. This again greatly raises her self-esteem and frame of mind. Before the course of treatment she would need to apply moisturiser heavily all the time. The improved circulation to the skin tangibly reduces this need.
Maureen also points out that she benefits in more ways than just the massage. The social side is a fillip for her. She looks forward to my visits, we have a laugh and a chat. I have got to know her and her husband quite well and we feel relaxed in each other's company, all of which is an aspect of this type of work, which should not be underestimated. She values the fact that the treatments she gets from me are focussed totally on her requirements unlike that which one might get if receiving a massage in a holiday hotel spa, for example, where a set procedure might be rather impersonal and done to a strict time frame. When the series of free ARH treatments ended, both Maureen and Pete approached the MND Association who granted funding for a further tranche of treatments for each of them. When they finished, they both had no hesitation in continuing with self-funded treatments. I continue to treat Pete and Maureen on a regular basis for the symptoms of their disease and, at time of writing, the MND Association, having learned of the value that they put in their treatments, are about to commence another round of funding.
Conclusion
The physiological improvements and the psychological uplift and boost in self-esteem gained by regular massage treatments for my two MND patients have had a remarkable positive effect on their, and their carers‟, quality of life and have possibly been instrumental in substantially extending that quality of life. Having achieved such dramatic results, my conclusion is that it would be advantageous for those diagnosed with MND to consider commencing a programme of holistic massage from the point of initial diagnosis in order to help reduce and delay the effects of muscular atrophy and wastage, to maintain circulation to inactive areas and to maximise the quality of the sufferer‟s remaining life.
Phil Atkin MICHT runs his “Rothleigh Grange” practice in the Cambridge area: www.rothleighgrange.co.uk
This piece was reproduced with the permission of Philip, Maureen, Peter and their families. Thank you.
If this article has inspired you but you're not sure where to start maybe our Massage in Hospitals workshop can help you get started. www.thelondonmassagecompany.com/workshop18
Until next time!
Jane & Zoe
STRAPLINE ANSWERS:
- Looking after your world (British Gas)
- Just Do It (Nike)
- The magazine for a million voices of nature (Birds, the RSPB magazine)
- Reset your compass (Exodus )
- Soft, strong and very very long (Andrex toilet tissue)
To subscribe to the Newsletter or see what we're up to inside the class room visit : www.thelondonmassagecompany.com or email us:
ask@thelondonmassagecompany.com
Monthly Treats
With January ushering in the new year with cold and wet weather it was nice to realise that I had not 'used' my monthly treat. Each month I give myself a £5 treat and last night sank into some brand new giant, fattest ever pillows. B-l-i-s-s. How little (ok in this case not so little) things can make a big difference. These pillows and the word r-e-l-a-x go together like coffee and cream. If you had £5 to spend on a treat what would it be?
Finally....
I'm really excited to have a date for the publication of Postural Assessment. Many of you volunteered to have your photos taken for this book in return for a copy, and you will be delighted to know that it is scheduled to be in the shops on Dec 13th. The publishers were very happy with the photos and manuscript and made very few changes to the material. I'm hoping that the 25 of you who took part in the photo shoot in the summer last year will receive your copy before christmas. Maybe we can celebrate with a Postural Assessment Party? (you can keep your clothes on this time).
Things We Think You’d Like:
// Venue Hire - Does anyone need to hire a large dance/workout studio? The Martial Arts Academy in NW5 are now hiring their venue by the hour during weekdays. Anyone interested can contact the venue direct at info@sas-martialarts.co.uk and see the room here www.saswingchun.com/about-us/branches/gospel-oak-hq/
// We love.... the blogg by Ann Barkman www.randomactsofkindness.org/Lee+Ann+Barkman/ If you too want to make the world a kinder place check it out.
// Congratulations! to our summer sports injuries & massage students who have recieved their exam results after a nerve-wracking wait. Well done all of you - we’re really proud! We also received the good news that Martin Belles, a visiting
therapist from Argentina, had his project accepted by the APNT and so has been awarded his sports injuries & massage diploma for the course he took with us autumn 2009. Martin went to considerable lengths to document his treatment of clients in many different countries, working hard to translate his material into English. Many students are challenged by studying for an advanced course and Martin's efforts show that it is possible to excel if you are committed.
The Article
The Benefits of Massage for Sufferers of Motor Neurone Disease: A Personal Perspective
by Phil Atkin MICHT
Summary
The measurable, physiological improvements and the immeasurable psychological uplift and boost in self-esteem gained from regular massage treatments for the two sufferers of Motor Neurone Disease discussed in this document have had a positive effect on their and their carers‟ quality of life and could possibly have substantially extended that quality of life. It is therefore indicated that, when such a dramatic result is achieved from a critical starting point, it might be advantageous to consider commencing an holistic massage program from the point of initial diagnosis in order to retard the effects of muscle atrophy and wastage, to maintain circulation to inactive areas and to maximise the length and quality of a sufferer‟s remaining life.
Introduction
Since taking early retirement from my engineering job in 2006, I have been working as an holistic therapist running my own practice, specialising mainly in reflexology and therapeutic massage. As part of my weekly routine I volunteer for The Arthur Rank Hospice(ARH) in Cambridge. ARH offers terminally ill patients up to six free treatments provided by a team of volunteer therapists who visit them in their own homes. Through this scheme I was referred to and treated two Motor Neurone Disease sufferers: Pete and Maureen.
I'd had no previous experience of treating sufferers of MND and, before I met these two patients, had no real knowledge of the mechanism of the disease, how it manifests and how devastating it is. In building relationships with my two clients I also became acutely aware of how stressful it is for family members to fight to get the best care for their loved ones suffering with MND. Through this scheme I have not only been able to provide relaxation and a modicum of relief to my MND patients, but also provide some much needed release for their carers. I have found it extremely rewarding to be able to provide such relief and am grateful for this invaluable learning experience. Many people living with MND find that complementary therapies can help to make day-to-day living more comfortable and tolerable by helping to control symptoms. It is widely accepted that deep relaxation can help to reduce anxiety and stress. Massage, aromatherapy and reflexology are known to offer effective means of muscle relaxation, improve blood circulation and lymphatic flow and help to relieve pain by encouraging the production of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. Here follow two stories of how complementary therapies have benefited two of my clients who suffer from MND.
Pete’s story
My client Pete was good enough to grant me an in depth interview to help fill in some gaps in his story and to give his personal perspective on the value of the massage treatments he has received. In 2002 Pete first noticed that he was suffering with poor circulation, leg cramps, twitching and "lazy" right foot. By mid-2003, after specialist tests, he was diagnosed with MND. For three years his was able to continue his job overseas until he eventually came back to the UK in April 2006 when his mobility was so impaired that he could not perform certain aspects of his job without great hardship. As many elements of his work were computer-based, he was however able to continue to work at home. For a while he could move around well using a wheelchair and could still stand well enough to get around the house by holding on to rails and furniture. Only a few months after moving back to the UK, Pete‟s symptoms became much worse making it almost impossible for him to get up and down stairs. In November 2006 he and his wife moved into a specially converted bungalow to avoid the need to use stairs. Soon after the move his condition began to deteriorate at a faster pace. A hoist was needed to help his wife lift him. By the summer of 2007 Pete‟s breathing became much more difficult; his diaphragm was not functioning and he was having to breathe using his shoulder, chest and neck muscles. Because of his breathing problems, Pete was unable to sleep flat in bed, so was forced to sleep in his conventional, vertical-backed wheelchair. This meant that when he fell asleep, his head would slump forwards and to one side and he would wake up with chronic neck pain. He was also suffering from panic attacks when attempting to sleep. He couldn't get accustomed to the breathing machine and was typically only sleeping for around two hours a night. This lack of sleep was becoming a real issue. He was frustrated by his inability to work, which had often helped him through the long hours of the night. He was eventually provided with a neck brace, which helped to reduce part of the problem, but he found it very uncomfortable. Pete was at a really low point and the prognosis was poor. It was at this time that Pete and his wife were referred to me by the ARH scheme to hopefully provide some relief for the neck problem for Pete and, by reducing the panic attacks, help to relieve stress for them both.
“How on earth was I going to massage this?”
Initially, I have to admit, I found this challenge quite daunting with totally different requirements to the cancer patients I had previously dealt with. Pete's neck was contorted to the left and forward (he had not been given the neck brace at this point); the musculature to the left side of his neck, chest, shoulders and upper arms was wasted and atrophied; there was a lot of involuntary muscle twitching in his upper chest; breathing was pronounced and forced. It was especially noticeable that he was having to consciously use secondary chest muscles to expand his chest in order to breath. His feet and lower legs, in which he had no voluntary movement, were swollen and covered with approximately 80% cyanosis, which is a bluish colouration of the skin due to the presence of insufficiently oxygenated haemoglobin in arterial blood vessels near the skin surface, but Pete was keen to concentrate on the neck issues as a priority as he was getting some regular foot massage from his carers. Resting my hands on his shoulders for the first time revealed the extent of the muscle twitching and the degree of muscular activity needed just for breathing. How on earth was I going to massage this? This was where I needed to draw on all the massage skills I had been learning over the last five or six years and combine them to provide him with an effective treatment. With limited access to his neck and shoulders due to his wheelchair, I commenced with what was essentially a modified Indian Head Massage to establish contact and palpate as necessary. He was clearly having difficulty supporting his head so I cradled his forehead in one arm whilst standing to one side and deep stroking his neck muscles on the other side. He seemed to respond very well to this and was enjoying the rest that he got from having his head supported. Over the following few treatments I developed this concept and was able to relatively deeply massage the supporting neck muscles. Slowly but surely, his neck became more supple and strong. Pete told me he felt a reduction in pain levels and his posture became noticeably more symmetrical; he could hold his head more erect, breath and speak better and his general demeanour had improved enormously. After a long wait, Pete was eventually provided with an advanced wheelchair but, whilst it has multiple adjustments, it does not have any head support to help him sleep or rest the neck. As well as getting tangible muscular relief, what was emerging was the peace and relaxation that both Pete and his wife were getting from the treatment sessions. I felt that, in a way, by them both sharing the experience they were united. In effect I was passing each of them the caring, nurturing contact that they were no longer physically able to give to each other. They both looked forward enormously to their weekly period of pure relaxation, release and pleasure. For Pete's wife, the sessions gave her a break from, and some treatment for, the difficult lifting, manipulation on the hoist, organising care as well as a chance to just switch off, relax and meditate for a while.
Maureen’s story
The Arthur Rank Macmillan nurses similarly referred Maureen to me. Her case was especially poignant as she had, for some time, been a volunteer herself at the Hospice. Maureen was referred to me in early September 2007. She had been eventually diagnosed with MND in mid-2005 having endured a two year period of being treated for early stages of Parkinson‟s Disease. Although she does not have the same respiratory problems as Pete, she has almost total loss of movement in her left arm and leg but is, however, still able to weight bear to transfer from chair to wheelchair or bed albeit with some assistance. Her muscle wastage is most noticeable in the left triceps. Circulation in her arms and legs is poor and there is some fluid build up in her lower legs and ankles. The objective of the treatments was initially to provide relaxation and cheer her up a bit as well as improve circulation in her immobile limbs and lymphatic drainage to reduce fluid build up. The first few treatments I did with Maureen were on her lower legs only but, having heard about the results achieved with Pete, she requested some work on her arms, neck and shoulders and latterly I have included some elements of Indian Head and Face Massage to deepen the relaxation. In Maureen‟s case working is slightly easier as her smaller wheelchair allowed freer access to the shoulders, arms and upper back. To facilitate working I use a normal therapist‟s stool to enable sitting closer but to be able to move around freely. We then transfer her to a comfy reclining chair to finish the session with Reflexology and lower leg massage. She‟d had experience of gentle foot massage from the therapists in the Hospice Day Therapy unit and had been recommended to me by the staff so she knew a little about me and felt at ease with my visits from the outset. Initially she thought, as it was a free service offered by volunteers, that she had nothing to lose from trying it and then she would be able to assess whether it would be worth continuing privately afterwards.
“A psychological boost”
Maureen told me that her previous experiences at ARH Day Therapy Unit, whilst very pleasant and relaxing, were not really comparable with what I offered. She says it is the most relaxing thing she has ever experienced. She often complains of her limbs feeling heavy “like lead” before the treatment and is always delighted with the remarkable improved appearance of her legs following the foot and lower leg massage. The reduced swelling gives her a significant psychological boost with the physical effects lasting up to three or four days. She also finds that the massage significantly improves her skin tone. This again greatly raises her self-esteem and frame of mind. Before the course of treatment she would need to apply moisturiser heavily all the time. The improved circulation to the skin tangibly reduces this need.
Maureen also points out that she benefits in more ways than just the massage. The social side is a fillip for her. She looks forward to my visits, we have a laugh and a chat. I have got to know her and her husband quite well and we feel relaxed in each other's company, all of which is an aspect of this type of work, which should not be underestimated. She values the fact that the treatments she gets from me are focussed totally on her requirements unlike that which one might get if receiving a massage in a holiday hotel spa, for example, where a set procedure might be rather impersonal and done to a strict time frame. When the series of free ARH treatments ended, both Maureen and Pete approached the MND Association who granted funding for a further tranche of treatments for each of them. When they finished, they both had no hesitation in continuing with self-funded treatments. I continue to treat Pete and Maureen on a regular basis for the symptoms of their disease and, at time of writing, the MND Association, having learned of the value that they put in their treatments, are about to commence another round of funding.
Conclusion
The physiological improvements and the psychological uplift and boost in self-esteem gained by regular massage treatments for my two MND patients have had a remarkable positive effect on their, and their carers‟, quality of life and have possibly been instrumental in substantially extending that quality of life. Having achieved such dramatic results, my conclusion is that it would be advantageous for those diagnosed with MND to consider commencing a programme of holistic massage from the point of initial diagnosis in order to help reduce and delay the effects of muscular atrophy and wastage, to maintain circulation to inactive areas and to maximise the quality of the sufferer‟s remaining life.
Phil Atkin MICHT runs his “Rothleigh Grange” practice in the Cambridge area: www.rothleighgrange.co.uk
This piece was reproduced with the permission of Philip, Maureen, Peter and their families. Thank you.
If this article has inspired you but you're not sure where to start maybe our Massage in Hospitals workshop can help you get started. www.thelondonmassagecompany.com/workshop18
Until next time!
Jane & Zoe
STRAPLINE ANSWERS:
- Looking after your world (British Gas)
- Just Do It (Nike)
- The magazine for a million voices of nature (Birds, the RSPB magazine)
- Reset your compass (Exodus )
- Soft, strong and very very long (Andrex toilet tissue)
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