The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1942-11-18

some form or handling that will at
least relieve actual discomfort, and
that will help keep the various
forces of the body in balance.
These people are apt to ask what
form of manual treatment would
be the best. That means that the
patient recognizes that the trouble
Is not Of disease origin, but one that
must be handled by some ex-
traneous prescription.
Soothing Touch
That sort of a patient Is good
subject for massage in one style or
another. But there are still GER
tain objections to be met, and the
good maSseur will find them out.
Some folks are ticklish. just plain
ticklish, and that person suffers
great tension until the treatment
Is under way. It is like high fire.
quency treatments with electric
appliances: some enjoy them i'm
mensely. but others are tied all up
in q knot until the instrument
actually gets to jittering up and
down the anatomy. It takes skill
to know just how to make the ap-
proach to such sensitive system.
I have said before that there is
all the difference In the world in
hands. Some folks who know moth
ing at all about the principles OF
massage will be able to use touch
that is most soothing, while strong.
well trained hands will be too
abrupt or forceful to do the case
any good.
It is q good idea to begin with
either the hands or feet, and let
the more sensitive portions wait
until the patient has become ac-
customed to the touch. Much has
been said about always rubbing
toward the heart" The principle
Of this is to help the venous blood
on its way back to the heart and
on to the lungs for restoration to
q clean, pure stream. But one must
be cautious about dark spots, II
they are coagulated blood. lest
particle be dislodged and create a
stoppage somewhere in the vessels.
Stimulates the Blood
The giving of treatment by
rubbing, whether in the hands of a
trained person or one who only
wants to help. calls for some sort
of q definite arrangement. and a
regular movement that provides in
its very rhythm sense ofrelief and
soothing. Go one way with some
pressure, usually upward, and re-
turn with a slight grazing move
ment. that will set the skin to glow
ing. and allow the warmth to re-
main.
Work on the larger Of the super
ficial vessels on the inside Of the
arm and legs, and later you will
be able to go more firmly into the
deeper passages. Proceed In order.
from the hand to the elbow and
then the upper arm. From the
toes and feet, follow the shin. and
thigh and hip. Around the ribs
up and down the spine. always in
an orderly fashion and not just hit
or miss. Have regard for the fact
that there are countless small YES
sells and millions of capillaries. and
all will want to retain the sense
of having been exhilarated, and
taken on a new supply Of blood.
This means not too much pounding
or pinching.
Some folks who are Ill and weak
cannot stand massage by both
hands, and In such case. one hand
may do a lot of good. If a plan is
followed that provides rhythm and
. soothing movement. II the pa
tient has been in bed. take care
that the tender spots get special
treatment. and that will probably
call for q bit Of lotion or ointment.
or q fine powder. And remember
TO pass over lightly for 1t not diff
0cult to break the skin when It
grows 80 tender.
Where the patient wants a sense
Of friction. use q mitten on the
hand, or q piece Of Turkish lowell
ing to rub the body thoroughly.
This Is only for the rugged person
who needs q rub down." and is
willing for you to take the hide
on" for the feeling that the skin
has been completely rid of per-
spiration and CRIME.