Massage and Music therapies

[NC29mom, ASN, LPN, RN]

We had several offices within our network that offered either massage or music therapy to our patients. Sadly, we were bought out by a huge corporation almost a year ago. Last week they announced we would no longer offer these services to our patients. This really upset me, as our massage therapist is awesome and does so much for our suffering pts. The corporation says they want all offices to be uniform in the services they offer, and since not every office offers these services, they are discontinuing the ones who do.

How many of your offices offer these services? And, do your pts benefit? Just curious. ...

[chopwood carrywater]

Our in-patient unit has regular visits from both massage and music therapists. Our home hospice also uses them, but I am not sure of the extent.

Our patients definitely benefit from the visits with increased pleasure, and relief from their pain. Just being in a bed or chair for as often as many of these pt's is enough to cause muscle pain and strain. I do a fair amt of massage on my pts when they are agreeable to it.

As for the rationale that this new company wants consistency across it's offices/territory, it seems like a thin excuse. Let them bring these services to the other offices.

[TammyG]

The oncology unit where I worked had music and massage and the patients loved them. Our hospice has never offered alternative therapies. We do have a reiki volunteer, not sure what the demand has been for her. I love the idea of music and massage for hospice patients. I sometimes refer a patient to an oncology masseuse if they can afford them.

[curiousauntie]

We have 2 massage therapist who do wonderful work. I know of one other office who has an on-call music therapist and our office has a vigil volunteer who provides music therapy once the patient is actively dying. I think both modalities are wonderful, as I have witnessed both of them doing what they do best. The peace that comes over a patient who is hours or minutes from death when the vigil volunteer is at the bedside is just breathtaking. Your company needs to rethink their policy so you can continue to treat the WHOLE patient, not just the physical patient.