ARTICLES / General /The Value of Massage for
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By Kristine Dwyer,
Staff Writer
(Page 4 of 5)
LaStone Massage - a deeply
relaxing treatment using smooth,
warmed basalt stones and cooled
marble stones.
Shiatsu - an old oriental
therapy that treats points along
the acupressure meridians and
aims to release discomfort and
rebalance energy.
Reiki - a gentle but
powerful Japanese energy healing
technique for stress reduction
and relaxation that also
promotes self-healing.
Trigger Point Massage -
applies direct finger pressure
to painful, irritated areas of
the muscle to release tensions
and break cycles of spasms and
pain.
Reflexology - massage of the
feet, hands or ears by pressing
points to stimulate
corresponding areas of the body
that are linked to vital organs.
Rolfing - a massage that
focuses on the connective
tissues.
Craniosacrial Massage - a
light touch manipulation of the
head and bottom of the spine
that helps restore movement of
the fluid in the spinal cord.
This technique can be helpful in
treating headaches, jaw
problems, and back pain.
Cost of Massage:
Massage therapy ranges from $40-$100
per hour depending on the type of
massage and the expertise of the
therapist. Half-hour sessions are
also offered at most massage
clinics. In recent years, some
insurance companies have added
massage therapy to the list of
covered medical procedures,
especially if prescribed by a
physician following a car accident
or job-related injury. The best
recommendation is to check with your
insurance company for coverage prior
to making an appointment.
Choosing to invest in massage may be
the best dollars caregivers spend to
increase their capacity to provide
care in the future. Family members
can also support the caregiver by
offering a gift of massage
appointments.
Benefits for Caregivers:
Caregivers
know the importance of caring for
others yet sometimes they forget how
important it is to care for
themselves. A caregiver can become
so focused on their role that they
are unaware of what is happening to
their own body and how stress is
affecting them. Massage can be a
wonderful way for caregivers to deal
with the demands associated with
caring for a loved one and it is
especially important for
replenishing the energy that is
expended on helping others.
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