I did ask her OT, I do need to ask PT too. OT said since Parkinson’s deals more with nerves rather than muscles, she wasn’t sure what the answer is concerning massage. I asked if nerves effected muscles and she said, yes, somewhat.
She did say if someone did give mom a massage they need to be experienced in geriatric care because some types of massage therapy would be too aggressive for her. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.
Re: going to the doctor and your person not opening up - I suggest that you make a list of symptoms, reactions, pain, questions, etc. together ahead of time. Then bring that list with you. When the person (inevitably) doesn't bring up something important, it is easier to just say "oh, in looking at our list, we also wanted to tell you x, and y, and z." That way, you aren't tattling on them - you are just finishing telling the doc about the list you created together.
This info helps.
If the stroking goes well, then try a trained massage therapist, probably female as males can be so much stronger. I’d first have a session with the masseur myself to find out how it feels, and to give the therapist personal instructions for mother. Best wishes.
True about equipment. I doubt if she could even get up on a table. Last doctor appointment with neurologist he examined her from her seated in the chair. She couldn’t get on the exam table. They would have to work around that somehow.
This is probably a given....
Also, I read that a "lymph style"massage is very gentle, (see videos on you-tube on how 2 do them). Hope you have much success! 💟🐅
I hate to see her uncomfortable. If there is something to help her ease her discomfort I will look into it.
Please note, she has her masters degree from a major university here in Arizona. She knows what she is doing. When she first took my husband as a client, she researched Parkinson's disease and muscles, etc. When my husband had hernia surgery, she suggested I call the doctor and get his opinion as to how long to wait - or not to massage that area. She is not someone that took an eleven month course for massage therapy at a massage school. I'm not saying these graduates aren't qualified. However, for someone with my husband's issues, I've felt someone with extra education, knowledge and experience - works best for his needs.
After reading the comments below, I have to add, my husband was never a touchy feely type if person. He would occasionally get a massage when we were on vacation, but it was never a priority. He really enjoys massages now.
A personal opinion as to why older people may like getting massages now - is that someone is touching them. It seems as if when people are old - people don't like or don't know how to touch an older person. The human touch may be just what they need (even if it isn't from a loved one).
I have observed when I take my ten pound dog to the assisted living facilities a couple of times a month, the residents love to just hold and pet her. She just sits in their lap and enjoys it too. It is something warm and alive with a beating heart that just seems to calm the resident down.
Great answer!
Whether or not it has any significant effect on her muscles or nerves, if massage does your mother's own sense of wellbeing any good then it is worth trying. I agree that you must look for someone with experience and technical knowledge of elder care because apart from joints and muscles there is also skin fragility to think about - the therapist must really know what she or he is doing.
The mind and the body are a unity. Guy Claxton has written a fascinating book, "Intelligence in the Flesh: Why Your Mind Needs Your Body Much More Than It Thinks" (Yale University Press, 2015). Chapter 9, "The Augmented Body" is of particular interest. It is clear that with neurological diseases exercise tailored to each person is still important.
Exactly. Mom is tiny. Her OT is concerned about something like ‘deep tissue’ massage that would be too aggressive for her.
I sure hope this is a thing of the past! You go to the dr for HELP with stuff you cannot do on your own, for meds, for advice. Just tell her what's going on and ask her opinion.
AS far as the massage, trying it would be the best bet. Daddy liked his feet and legs rubbed and his hands and arms. I could not flip him over for a back massage. Sometimes we could prop him up for shoulders and neck. As long as he wasn't in pain--we were given the OK to do whatever helped.
DRs are trained to hear it ALL and make decisions based on what they HEAR. They aren't gods, they are human and need the patient or patient's advocate to step up and TALK.
Yes, you should make a detailed LIST about all your questions. Your dr WORKS for you, and can't do the job if they don't have the info!!!!
(My SIL is a gastroenterologist and he tells me that probably 80% of his patients come in with some complaint and will NOT discuss it with him, so he's playing cards in the dark. He goes nuts when older folks won't use the right language and feel 'too shy' to discuss their gut issues. Trust me, he has seen it all and heard it all.)
Don't know about holistic docs--do you mean osteopaths or 'shaman' type healers? World of difference.
Just got home from doctor’s appointment. Yep, my mom acts like there are no ‘no complaints’ in his chair too. I hate having to call her how but what else can I do? As you say, they need to be filled in.
The Parkinson's disease is progressing and he agreed that she did need the skilled nursing rehab at the nursing home along with home health and pretty much said the same as you did about the massage. He says we can try it. Trial and error. So I guess I should be calling you, Dr. MidKid! Hahaha. Thanks so much. I appreciate your feedback.
I could try and massage myself too, like you did.
These ER visits are no fun! They kept her and admitted her the last visit and they recommended the skilled nursing rehab at the nursing home, which I agreed to. My poor mom, the rigidity from the Parkinson’s is slowly getting worse.
It took her an hour to get up from her bedside commode. Sure, she’s slow but it has never taken that long before! So off to the ER we went. Whew! Gets mentally and physically draining.
Yeah, those were my feelings as well, that the nerves and muscles are connected. She did agree that they were. Her concern was that it could be too aggressive for mom. She’s 93. Are holistic doctors covered by insurance? She has Medicare and Humana gold plus.
I am just brainstorming. Today is her appointment with her neurologist. Should I ask his opinion on this? He agrees that mom needs home health to learn to function better. Skilled nursing rehab ordered home health after they discharged her.
This is her 4th round doing home health. I’m concerned. Can you give me more feedback please?
I'd give daddy a foot rub and he enjoyed those--but honestly, getting him onto a massage table would have been impossible. And it would have taken 3 people to roll him over.
OF COURSE the nerves affect the muscles. What kind of OT are you dealing with?
And yes, you would want someone really comfortable with pressure points and the 'aging' body. I get massages and I have stopped them mid-massage at times and said "Listen, do NOT dig your elbow in my kidneys, OK?" A GOOD masseuse will be able to read the body of the person they're working on.
Strictly speaking Parkinson's is a brain disease, but that doesn't mean the effects aren't felt throughout the body. What about spasticity? What about rigidity? Does she not think these might cause pain in the muscles?
I would advise you to look for an independent therapist who has a holistic philosophy and bagful of tricks to try and is into alternative medicines like reiki.
Simple range of motion movements can be very beneficial as well, keeping the joints flexible and preventing contractures (which as I distressingly learned can happen even in those who are still somewhat mobile)