coma

[Danielle]

Just curious to see what your thoughts are on assisting in healing someone in a coma, who has had severe brain trauma, and multiple broken bones from a motorcycle accident.  At this point, many people are sending their prayers and thoughts for this person, which I consider to be a form of energy healing (positive thoughts = positive actions and reactions) but not exactly the same as doing direct energy healing (such as reiki). There are also many people who are doing various religious rituals in this person's honor to help them along in their recovery. This person's accident was on April 20, and it was not expected for this person to live through the night of the accident, but here it is  12 days later and this person has improved (still has a long recovery time but improvement is apparent) in condition surprising all of the doctors and medical staff (not to mention family members). I personally feel it is due to this person's will power, and the positive energies received from those who are praying, thinking, and performing rituals for this person.  I would like to hear any opinons or thoughts that you may have regarding the situation.  

 

[Jessica M]

coma

It depends upon the degree of damage to the brain whether or not this person will regain consciousness and the degree and quality of life. What type of damage was sustained? Anything to do with the outer extremeties? Spinal? Cervical?I would imagine the physical body would benefit from the marginal activation of the PNS, as well as the emotion/intellectual awareness of touch and connectiveness with his/her support group (family, etc.).As for long-distance healing?...it can be effective, but only if it is within the best interests of the person's journey (I know this is kinda out there but...)

 

[Wisen Smart]

Right now energy work is best, and just holding a hand to touch them and talk to them.  Some of the doctors and nurses will just talk over them so you have to still treat them like a human being even though you don't know      if they can hear you.  You can not massage them right now, after you get the MD's ok go for it... you need to make sure the casts are off and that you are at the full bone formation seforum.xxxe... the exact term is slipping from my brain right now (I will correct my post later when it comes to me)...  muscle atrophy comes quickly, so do locked joints and drop foot.  Do as much ROM as possible to keep the flexability... let the nurses know what you are doing, because the PT and OT department don't have enough time to do enough for it.  And do a sports massage, anything to stimulate them... play their favorite cd's while you are working, and make sure to tell the patient what you are doing while you are doing it.  Include them as a human being as much into it as possible... When I was in my medical massage internship in a local hospital, my first patient had been ejected from a car in 1996 and he was not expected to live either.  He is in a vegitative state, but reactive to stimuli and will turn in your direction if you talk to him... now this is many years later and this is the extent that it will be.  But that was his routine as I stated above... We were just students expecting to do this, and I only found out when I was reading his chart and came across the other modalities.I couldn't tell how you are related to this person, but if you are just a friend or a family member... do whatever you can for this person, show the family members what they can do when the time comes to allow you to massage him.  Mainly the ROM and a little pettrisage, show them the direction of strokes... make sure that they are not afraid to help in his treatment, it is very important.Good luck... I am here if you have any questions, ok!

 

[Texasgirl]

AgentSartori,Pandoras_Gift is, I feel, right on the money as far as giving hints on what to try.I'm also coming at this from the point of view of "family" since my brother-in-law's sister was in a bad car accident and was in a coma for a time... this was probably 10-15 years ago or so. (Time flies when you are having fun...)She was was driving her car and somehow was hit by another... the headrest was not set at the right height and came off... the remaining metal "spikes" that held the headrest on...went into her brain during the whiplash.She was in a coma for weeks... I could probably get more accurate details from my sister if you would find it comforting...  Anyway, her coma for awhile was Medically induced at first to help the brain and body to heal...I wasn't a MT at the time... and they live in Georgia while I live in Wisconsin... but I did hear about things the family was trying to help her.I only wanted to reinforce the comment about music... and playing it softly in the patient's room.I probably would have a couple different kinds of music. Some music seems very healing in and of itself... you might try something of that nature to help create a calm and soothing mood.  And at other times of the day... you may choose to play music that you Know the patient enjoys and relates to.I know my sister and her husband's family also used different aromas to try to "reach" Donna. My sister and Donna's mother would often massage her (though nobody was a MT at the time.) And I believe they also read aloud to her.They tried to reach her as much as possible and with as many different senses as possible.While Donna's recovery was slow... including much time at hospitals, nursing homes, and moving back into her parents home so that her mother could help her husband and children to take care of her... it did pay off.Donna's brain took quite a bit of trauma... and she has a resulting problem with seizures.  And she's not the exact same person that she was before the trauma... she's done quite well, IMO.  (Again sorry I can't give you exact details.)Donna walks with assistance I believe, and within the last year or two has proudly added being a grandmother to her list of accomplishments.Of course she had a lot of people praying for her too.

 

[Dana Laz]

Thanks so much for your replies and advice.  Being a nurse and reiki master, I *should* know the medical and healing side of things where the injuries are concerned, but since I am so close to the patient, I feel like my mind is a complete blank when it comes to the "what to do" question, so I have been asking other practioners (nursing, alternative and holistic) their opinions..it just seems to allow me more understanding of what's going on, and I have never been involved in the direct *critical* phase of caring for someone with his type of injury. (This person is my exhusband and father of my son) "What type of damage was sustained? Anything to do with the outer extremeties? Spinal? Cervical? "Well, he sustained 2 clean breaks to his neck (not sure which vertebrae are involved), a crushed hip/pelvic (will be needing a complete replacement and reconstruction), broken ankle and foot, broken lower jaw. At this point there is no apparent damage to the spinal cord at all, and he is not expected to suffer paralysis.  The right side sustained the majority of the blow and as such is the most sluggish to respond. There is complete bruising and shifting of the brain, with an increased intracranial pressure and fluid buildup, and the lungs sustained massive bruising as well. He was on a vent for a few days, but resumed effect breathing on his own, and continues to do so. At this point the medical staff has officially stated an opinion of "cautious optimism" for recovery. (good signs are good signs I think) He has been able to open his eyes for a couple of days now and move his left arm more freely and can do both to commands. He has been having more good days/nights than "bad" ones, so naturally everyone is hopeful." As for long-distance healing?...it can be effective, but only if it is within the best interests of the person's journey (I know this is kinda out there but...)"Not too out there...   Right now, the medical staff has been encouraging the family to talk to him and touch him gently as much as possible, but they are not ready to allow music therapy or book reading (a few minutes of tv time is allowed each day) as they are apprehensive of overstimulating him at this time. He is on sedation, but medical staff is very cautiously and slowly weaning him down off of sedation and more to pain management therapy. While I know the *book* versions of possible outcomes for his situation, it helps tremendously to actually read and hear about other's experiences with this, and I greatly and deeply appreciate your sharing with me.

 

[flybishop]

coma

i was told a story from an acupuncturist that was teaching a shiatzu course about a man that was in a coma after an impact injury who received foot shiatzu from a shiatzu master and ended up coming out of coma and completing a recovery.my thoughts are with your loved one

 

[Pompal 09.]

Agent Sartori,How about an update? Am hoping things are still looking up for his recovery and that most importantly, you are taking good care of you.  ;D

 

[cody b]

" How about an update?  Am hoping things are still looking up for his recovery and that most importantly, you are taking good care of you."On Friday (May 27) he was transported to a neurological rehab clinic (ALOT closer to his family than the hospital he was in). He is still in a coma, but progressing through the levels ok. He is following commands a little more and has remained stable. The staff at the rehab clinic are far more hopeful, helpful, and positive in attitude towards his recovery and he has been more relaxed and less agitated while there. I will be travelling back to visit him next weekend and will get to check the place/staff out for myself  ;D As for taking care of me...well that comes first afterall I can't take care of others if I let myself go lacking    Thanks for asking...

 

[Abbey loves Jesus]

coma

i also wanted to add that now he's in a more comfortable environment, that he may want/need/enjoy massage or energy work/reiki.hang in there, it's a long road

 

[StoicCrying]

When I go to visit, I am planning to ask alot of questions to the clinic staff about use of alternative therapies in conjunction with his medical treatments. I am not sure if they have a MT on staff there or not. I have  spoken with his wife about doing a Reiki treatment when I go and she is all for it. If everything feels right, I definitely will do so for him. I noticed that while he was in the ICU, it didn't feel appropriate at that time to do a Reiki session, and so I did not. I have done a few distance treatments for him, as that felt permissible to me.

 

[Luke]

How is your friend?  Please let us know.

 

[IWillWaterBoardScottWhite]

coma

enegry work is great for these clients....you will either give them the enegry to come back or the comfort to let go...becareful...work such as this is very draining...eat well before the session and rest after...