Volunteer massage therapists bring soothing touch to seniors

A one hour long, full body massage sounds like a slice of heaven, doesn't it? Imagine the tensions easing out from under the educated hands of the massage therapist.

In the past decade, this profession has enjoyed a rapid growth, due in part to the increased focus on health and fitness and the growing acceptance of therapeutic massage as a valuable treatment in the medical profession.

Many doctors refer patients to massage therapists to relieve pain and tension. Massage is often used in conjunction with physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment.

No longer just a pleasant diversion for the hedonistic and affluent, this therapy is reaching those who need it most.

The students' training was enriched by the participation of the residents. And the school says that patients also benefited:

* A man with cerebral palsy found relief from pain when massage stretched out chronically contracted muscles.

* For a woman with multiple sclerosis, massage reduced spasms and edema, increased circulation, which eased the problem of typically cold hands and feet, and left her with a general feeling of well being.

* In another case, a woman with muscular dystrophy had a cold. Her condition robbed her of a normal coughing mechanism. Pneumonia may have been avoided through massage which helped bring her mucous up.

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