Massage has many physical and emotional benefits for patients in palliative care, from preventing pressure sores and lessening physical pain to creating a tangible connection between the massager and the massaged.

In Dying in Good Hands, massage therapists and trainees will find the tools they need for massage at every stage of dying, with stroke sequences adjusted for the unique needs of palliative bodies. Medical professionals will learn how to use massage techniques on their patients and how to teach basic techniques to others. And family and friends, even those who have never massaged before, will discover tips to provide hands-on care and support for loved ones in their final moments.

Topics include:

• Basic massage strokes and full-body massage routines
• Massage treatments to aid the key areas of the respiratory system, digestion, and circulation
• How to deal with the last moments of life and make the last breath more comfortable
• Massage ideas for the physical and emotional needs of family, friends, and caregivers
• Options on where to die, including hospitals, hospices, and home
• Real patient stories that showcase the power of massage in making the process of dying more comfortable

Christine Sutherland is a licensed massage therapist and massage instructor. She is the co-founder of the Sutherland-Chan School & Teaching Clinic in Toronto and the Director of the Canadian Institute of Palliative Massage. She makes Fort St. John, British Columbia, her home base as she travels the world spreading her message of hands-on healing.

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