Parkinson's Client

[rposzich]

Since we now have this thread: I worked on a client (77  years old) diagnosed Parkinson 2 years ago. Client was relatively active up until about a year ago. I believe he has a couple of other medical issues that need to be addressed with his attending physician. These were brought to my attention, none of which were contraindicators for working with the client.My main goal was to educate the spouse and a son on therapeutic touch (mostly light compression and light lifting and kneading prior to stretches).I applied gentle compression and other warming strokes to back, light compression and lifting/kneading to bilat arms, lifting/kneading to bilat shoulders, pec releases (client had forward head posture and slightly kyphotic) in an attempt to open up some of his torso.This was probably the only chance I will have to work on this client. I advised spouse/son the work they might consider focusing in on (in addition to the stretches they currently employ) is on using massage as a relaxant and aid in local circulation.I ended the session when I noted that his left leg was beginning to twitch slightly, a sign that he was getting tired and stressed.My feeling is that with a regular session, I might be able to open up his chest/pec muscles more and relieve tension/tightness in his neck area. Any comments, observations, etc., would be appreciated.

 

[school]

I've worked on 2 older clients with Parkinson's.  One recently passed....she was in her late 80's and I went to her house to give her relaxation massages.  She also suffered from scoliosis and dementia When I left, she was always more coherent and could put her robe on without my help or her husband.  The man I'm currently working on is in his late 70s, and is also diabetic.  I usually work on his arms and shoulders, back and legs.  When he comes in, one of those parts are hurting him more then the other.  So, i usually play it by ear.  I would recommend that maybe you start him off prone and work on his back and shoulders first.  That way you would give the body's compulsive need to flex a break and could also relax his back before working on his pecs, neck and arms.  My client is normally exhausted when he comes into see me, so I like to relax him before doing therapy on him.  Also, he has implants in him that look and feel like pacemakers....he has 2 little ones in his head and 2 in his abdomen...all he could tell me about them was that they helped to move the fluid????? I had no idea what that meant and he couldn't think of what the fluid was.....my best thought is dopamine, but not too sure.  What's ridiulous is....the same doctor that surgiclaly implanted these things that have turned out to do nothing for my client also told him when asked about massage...."sure you can get a massage...but it's not going to do anything for you"  I tell you what, I think that my client would take one hour of feeling relaxed and at peace then another $150,000 surgery anyday.

 

[MissMoi]

parkinsons client- modifications to treatment room, pls help

I am writing a paper on parkinson disease for my public health class.

for those of you who have your own practice, what modifications do you suggest for a treatment room setup that would help the PD client (ie maybe a electronic table...i dont know..do you have any problems with your clients not being able to get on the table without help...

any suggestions would be appreciated, paper is due in three weeks..

thanks

feel free to message me or leave a response here...

 

[miss.s88]

For cross reference, here is one other thread we have on Parkinson's:

Parkinsons