10 Benefits of Massage at the End of Life

1. Natural Pain Relief

Massage can help reduce acute and chronic pain. Light massage can support other comfort care and can offer compassionate touch that may be in short supply if in a facility or without family nearby.

2. Enhance the Quality of Life

Massage can help someone relax and feel more at ease. There is a labor to dying and the more ease we can inspire, the easier this transition can be.

3. Reduce Anxiety

Massage helps relieve anxiety and instill feelings of peace and tranquility.

4. Boost Mood

Massage offers support to those who are experiencing depression or sadness in this stage of life. Massage helps release endorphins and decrease the release of cortisol in the body.

5. Support Immune function

Massage can significantly help with lymph flow. This helps strengthen the function of the immune system and fight infection.

6. Promote digestion & helps nausea

Massage offers digestive support and can help promote regular bowl movements and reduce nausea.

7. Improve quality and quantity of sleep

Massage can help support sleep. Treatments can help someone sleep more deeply as well as sleep longer. Often clients will fall asleep during the massage and/or notice significant depth in sleep the following nights.

8. Compassionate Touch

Often when someone is at the end of life, the care he or she is receiving is very medical. It may be rare to receive loving touch. Compassionate touch coupled with a healing presence can be incredibly relaxing and can inspire ease.

9. Respiration

Massage can support respiration and inspire deep breathing. This can be incredibly relaxing and help massage the organs.

10. Circulation

Massage therapy can benefit circulation significantly. Helping return blood back to the heart and promote the removal of toxins and nutrient exchange.