My mom was diagnosed with Parkinson's just about five years ago. No surprise, but she gets stiff and her body doesn't move as it once did and she gets frustrated! She also has a significant amount of pain with her Parkinson's. My dad got busy learning massage therapy techniques. He studied under a Massage Therapist from Australia (on line) while working a full time job. He went to school to become a licensed Massage Therapist in the state of NH. (He just turned 69).
The result? It has helped my mom tremendously! And now that my dad has retired from his job, he has opened up his practice. He is specializing in working with those who have Parkinson's. His work is relieving symptoms, increasing mobility and flexibility. To have someone enter his office with a walker and leaving his office carrying the walker.....that says it all!
If you are in NH and would like his contact information, please let me know and I will gladly give it to you.
Robin Felch, Center Harbor, NH
Written by
msfelchy
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It took me a long time to get my husband to agree to a massage. Now that he has experienced the benefits, he tells me when to make an appointment for him. Our therapist works with her husband who is a chiropractor and also helps him maintain his flexibility and relieve pain.
It is possible that the massage improves the sensory input from the mechano-receptors in the muscle fibers to the sensory cortex. The sensory cortex is in communication with the motor cortex.. the origin of volitional motor control. Add progressive strengthening and coordination plus balance and the patho-degradation process can be degraded. DEGRADE THE DEGRADATION!
There is also some build up in the muscles - not sure of the scientific terminology but it is only with people who have Parkinson's. With the massage techniques my dad uses, he is able to move this extra stuff in the muscle area out, thereby increasing mobility and decreasing stiffness. He can explain it a lot better than I can!
hello - i unfortunately live in france so am not anle to see you dad - but i would be most grateful if you could send some more details of exactly what your dad does -
There are lots of summer cottages in Meredith, NH as well as Bed & Breakfasts and other hotels. Very hot spot to be in the summer! But, beware, this is not the typical "fluff and buff" massage.....there is some pain as the muscles are being released and the stuff that is built up in the muscles is being released as well.
This sounds great. I would love to know more about how massage helps - unfortunately I live in UK and cannot see your father. I understand it is important to get the right sort of massage - not just any. Also massage can be expensive are there any products that can be helpful.
check out M.E.L.T. a technique invented by a massage therapist at JCC in NYC.. Using roller, half roller and rubber balls you can get a CD that will effective relieve pain.
MsFelchy, I did the same thing. Except the part of working in the industry. I still have my own business that keeps me busy 50 hrs a week. But, not a night goes by that I am not asked to massage numb feet, or work a kink out of shoulder, or work the back muscle that is cramping. My husband is completely convinced when he takes pain Rx that his PD meds do not work as well.
I encourage every caregiver to Google massage and look at some techniques on line. Avoid direct pressure on spine and do thumb circles anywhere below knee or elbow or on the back. Great relief for them and actually hypnotically relaxing for you.
It really does help - good for you for helping others! Yesterday my dad did 5 massages - 4 were for one hour and the other was for 1 1/2 hours. 3 of the people had PD and one had Fibromyalgia. His goal is to get the PD patients to as far as he can get them and then teach their caregiver how to do simpler massages so they are not paying so much and then come to see him once a month or once every 6 weeks. So far, it seems to be going according to plan. If anyone would like his website, please let me know and you can do some exploring. Perhaps you can connect your own massage therapist with my dad if you do not live in NH and he can talk to them about what he does. Just a thought. Anything for some relief from the symptoms that does not involve another pill, right?
msfelchy, we live in sunny socal. After my class all 12 of us missed our 3 X week massage, so we get together and trade favors. It delighted me to hear your Dad was teaching some simple techniques to his patients caregivers. I get asked for a pain relief massage usually about 2 am. Not easy for the PD community to find someone to do a housecall at that hour..
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