When working with stroke victims it is important to realize that in the case of a spastic stroke, the muscles are not out of commission, but they are out of control. The balance between flexors and extenders is gone; so is the wonderful phenomenon of muscle groups that, in a fantastic choreography, can bring the most incredible variation of strength and direction of movement to bear on the most mundane moves.

Basis for Massage Therapy

The question comes up occasionally — What makes massage so special that we want to put it into patient care? The skeptic talks of placebo effect, while the massage junkie talks of the power of touch. Sometimes we ourselves are surprised at our results. We look at our hands and note they are remarkable tools, but we know that so are everyone else’s.

EDRF. It stands for Endothelium Derived Relaxing Factor. I first made its acquaintance in 1978 when I was summoned by the neighbor of an 18-year-old client, John. This client was an incomplete quadriplegic as the consequence of a minor car accident; John’s condition required my thrice-weekly presence. After the neighbor saw the tremendous progress John made, for which I received completely unjustified credit, she chose me to save her father’s legs from amputation. Despite my protestations, she implored me to at least meet her father. Reluctantly I agreed. Well, why not?