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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 25, 2015)
The Gift of Massage by Kathleen Ellyn Wallowa County Chieftain ___________________________________________________ Here’s a Christmas gift idea good for anyone, but especially com- forting for aging folks. A massage. Massage for elderly is gentle, generally uses light oils or lotions, and stretches and relaxes muscles without causing friction to delicate skin. The benefit, beyond the enjoyment of gentle human touch, is enhanced blood circulation, improved balance and flexibility, reduced pain of arthritis, and even supportive treatment for those who feel anxious or depressed. Many individuals also report that they sleep much better after a massage and thereby feel more refreshed days after a massage. Folks who are uncomfortable with a full body massage can still benefit from massage of specific areas, such as lower back, knees, feet, hands, necks or faces. Many massage therapists are skilled at cranial-sacral release massage, which involves a gentle massage of the head and is used for a whole host of reasons including relief from migraines or other pain, and improvement of balance. It is often recommended for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s. 6 • Home for the Holidays 2015 • www.wallowa.com Wallowa County has many massage therapists with differing specialties. All licensed massage therapists (LMTs) have attended accredited schools and completed hundreds of hours of study of anatomy, kinesiology (the study of movement), and physiology (the way in which parts of the body interact). Massage therapists in Wallowa County include Rachelle Winterton of Exhale Day Spa in Joseph, 1-541-910-0012; Kelsey Stowell of beecrowbee in Joseph, 541-398-0159; Laura and Landra Skovlin of Alder Slope, 541-398-0800 or 541-398-2077; Amy Gulzow of Balanced Bodies of Joseph, 541-398-0007; and Trish Zennie of Body Work of Joseph, 1-541-624-2000. This is not a complete list of local massage therapists. However, the handful of others in our area are booked and not currently accepting clients. Massage therapists, or the business they are associated with, may also offer acupuncture, footbaths, heat treatments, bath products, aromatherapy oils, lotions, herbal tinctures and teas, and other comfort products.