Research: Hand Massage, Energy Healing, and Aromatherapy with Older Adults

Yellow RoseWow, it’s over 4 years since I posted on this blog! This means I am now celebrating my 26th year in my private healing practice. It also means it’s time for me to tell you about some of my adventures during the last 4+ years.

I’ve worked for two different long-term care organizations under PIPP grants. These Performance-based Incentive Payment Program grants are given by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to nursing facilities to improve performance. The grants under which I worked (and am working) focus on therapeutic programming for the mental, physical, and psychosocial well-being of long-term care residents. This was and is super-interesting work covering a range of approaches.

During the first grant period, because of covid-19, we were unable to bring in outside consultants for staff training. My supervisor suggested I take online training in aromatherapy, and I was able to become a certified aromatherapist. I also became a trainer in the hand portion of the ‘M’ technique, a structured touch technique which is very calming and pain-relieving.

I collected data for a portion of my work in order to include it in grant reports. In informal conversation with a holistic practitioner outside of my employment, my colleague recognized this data as research data. This led to a collaboration and eventual publication of a research article in the international Journal of Long-Term Care.

This journal is “open access,” which means anyone can read it at no cost. “Holistic Interventions to Address Pain, Anxiety, and Distressing Behaviours in Long-Term Care Residents” was published in April of 2023.

Following the article publication, my research partners and I presented this information to Healing Beyond Borders last fall. HBB is a wonderful organization through which I maintain my certification as a Healing Touch practitioner. We also presented a poster session at the recent Minnesota Gerontological Society conference.

Check out my new, expanded Resources page to learn more about the modalities my clients and residents and I find so useful. I continue to add names to my waiting list of clients for appointments. Contact me if you would like an appointment. 

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