Tag Archives: Motor Neurone Disease

Motor Neurone Disease and Remedial Massage

Felicia Canepa LSSM ITEC MISRM
Orange Therapies
www.orangetherapies.co.uk

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.

MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order.

Although there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help you achieve the best possible quality of life.1

Amongst the symptoms occurring from this disease, hypertonicity of the affected muscles as well as myofascial restrictions due to lack of movement, can be experienced in varying degrees. Remedial massage can help release the muscles and fascia tightness thus giving some symptomatic relief.  It will also preserve range of motion at joints that become atrophied.  Please note that massage will not reverse the disease process, nor have an impact on its progression.

Other benefits from receiving remedial massage include a positive effect on local blood2 and lymphatic3 flow which help maintain healthy tissues and excrete waste.

Psychological benefits such as reduction of stress, anxiety and depression from receiving massage therapy should also not be underestimated4: the benefits massage has to offer in the way of compassionate, educated, caring touch are important.

Treatments are adapted to take in consideration the client’s pain threshold and mobility restrictions, therefore the massage may be given whilst the client is sitting on a chair instead of lying on the massage table.

For more information on how I can help, please contact me on 07941 711092 or via email at  orangetherapies@googlemail.com  I am based from my spacious treatment room in Crawley Down, however I can also offer mobile visits for those clients with restricted mobility. www.orangetherapies.co.uk

Motor Neurone Disease and Remedial Massage1Motor Neurone Disease and Remedial Massage2Motor Neurone Disease and Remedial Massage3Motor Neurone Disease and Remedial Massage4

For more information on motor neuron disease please follow the below links:

1 Motor Neurone Disease Association
2Cafarelli, Flint, 1992
3Basmajian, 1985
4Cafarelli, Flint, 1992

17 September 2015