Tag: Oregon

MASSAGE THERAPY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

With the baby boomers aging and with the help of higher technology and greater innovations in medicine and geriatric science, life is not merely being prolonged but more and more senior citizens today have the opportunity to take advantage of more quality life than ever before. This translates into a generation of more senior citizens of more advanced ages living among us, and that is, in my opinion a very good thing. National demographic studies tell us that nearly 40 million Americans are currently 65 years of age or older and over 2,000 more reach age 65 every single day. To accommodate the ever grown demand for massage therapy among senior citizens, many massage therapists are choosing to expand their expertise by studying the art of age-specific massage therapy which is often referred to as seniors massage or geriatric massage.

For the most part, massage therapy for senior citizens is extremely beneficial and of utmost importance to relieve the aches, the pains, the stiffness and the great number of health condition which are so often associated with aging; such as inflammations in the joints; arthritis; skin discoloration and other dermatological conditions; deteriorating muscles and bones; fading eyesight and loss of hearing, reduced appetite and therefore weight loss, poor blood circulation; sleep disorders; weakened mental capacity, tendonitis; bursitis; asthma; emphysema; high blood pressures; diminished functions of the internal vital organs such as the heart, the liver, the brain, the thyroid, the stomach and the intestines; and so much more. Most importantly, however, lonely and isolated, depressed, anxious and fearful senior citizens derive pricelessly valuable benefits from the simple pleasure of the caressing human touch and the intimate companionship afforded them during massage therapy sessions.

The Weavers Tale Retreat Center in the State of Oregon recently conducted a two-year study examining the effects of massage therapy for senior citizens and they found that at least 50 percent of the elderly who were tested showed a reduction in their rates of breathing, an increase in their range of motion, an improvement of their postures, development of more body awareness, their skin took on healthier colors and their muscle tones were enhanced. The same study also showed that 100 percent of the senior citizen who were tested showed a dramatic improvement in their moods and their attitudes toward life in general.

Massage therapy for senior citizens does not differ in technique but it does differ, and it differs greatly in the application of that technique, whichever that technique may be. In other words, just about any of the different massage techniques can be used on senior citizen but they must be modified enough to accommodate the facts that, very often, the skin of senior citizens have become thinner while growing much less pliable and much more easily broken, their bones are thinner and more brittle, their joints are more stiff with reduced range of mobility, their blood vessels are more prominent and closer to the surface of the skin and their overall health, vigor and vitality have been downgraded through the years. Taking all that into consideration, extra care musts be taken when positioning them on the massage tables, they should never be expected to perform the same movements as younger adults, and wheelchair-bound or bedridden seniors should get their massage treatments while remaining seated in their chairs or reclining in their beds.

Most massages for senior citizens are limited to anywhere from thirty to forty five minutes because the elderly seem to respond better to shortened sessions with greater frequency. Furthermore, greater time is usually spent on massaging their hands and feet than any other part of their bodies. That is especially true for those seniors who have lost the use of their hands and feet as massaging them will enhance their body awareness as well as increase sensations and blood circulation throughout.

We all need plenty of TLC (tender love and care) but senior citizens need and deserve quite a bit more of it.

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Home Remedies For Sinus Infection

You dont always have to take over the counter medication for a sinus infection. If you look in the kitchen, there are some home remedies inside that you can use to take care of the problem.

When you have a sinus infection, it will be a good idea to boil a pot of water and have some hot tea. Many of these are derived from herbs so you can try Echinacea if you are allergic to ragweed. There is also astralagus which is even safe for children to drink. Another option is Oregon graperoot which is known to kill many types of bacteria and lastly there is lemon balm.

You can take these herbs separately or mix them together so experiment which one goes well with another. You can also drink orange juice and water. The important thing is for you to keep your body hydrated.

You can also inhale steam by leaning over a bowl of hot water that you just heated using your stove. Those who have a steam vaporizer can also use it and inhale the steam for about 10 minutes. For maximum effect, you can add mix Vicks Vapo-Rub into the water as this has proven to open the passageways.

Since some people experience pain in the ears when they have a sinus infection, they can get rid of it by using some essential oils.

You could pour mix together 2 tablespoons of Pure Almond Carrier Oil, five drops of Lavender Essential Oil, five drops of Pine Essential Oil, five drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil and five drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil in warm water and then put this inside the ear at lest three times a day.

If the pain is on your face, mix a drop of Eucalyptus Essential Oil, a drop of Tea Tree Essential Oil and a drop of Pine Essential Oil together again with warm water. Dip in a clean cloth and then put the warm compress over your face.

Some people have difficulty sleeping when they have a sinus infection. Fortunately, you can sleep soundly and encourage drainage even during the evening by simply keeping your head elevated. You should also blow your nose when it is ready to come out as this will help prevent it from blocking the nasal cavity.

You can also take garlic juice or garlic capsules for your sinus infection as studies have shown that garlic has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. You can also chop from fresh garlic and put this in a bowl of hot water. Inhale it two to three times a day.

If you run out of garlic, see if you have a bottle there of apple cider vinegar. This helps decrease mucus production because it contains potassium. Just mix two teaspoonfuls of organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water and drink it up three times a day.

Majority of the home remedies mentioned and a lot more need to be fixed with warm water. Since sinus infections can happen at anytime, you should have a few of these stored in your cabinet.

But keep in mind that there are limits to what home remedies can do against sinus infections. If things get worse, you are advised to see a doctor so they can prescribe something stronger.