Car crashes and whiplash in the elderly

[swift.taylor37]

I've been seeing some much older people from car crashes lately - 72, 78, and 86. No broken bones; one concussion; all have some form of whiplash (one hit a tree, one rear-ended someone, one was t-boned). Obvs. they are taking much longer to heal than a younger person in a similar crash. And in all 3 cases the wreck was totally their fault.

Any tips and tricks? I've had the standard "geriatric massage" training but that's always about things like comfort care, working in a residential facility, dementia, end of life gentleness etc. I don't hear anything really about massage for wild old coots who run around town ramming into other cars, get busted up, and then feel terrible about it. Halp!

 

[Punk Princess]

Car crashes and whiplash in the elderly

I have found that most "wild old coots" who are still driving, aren't usually that fragile when it comes to massage. I may use a bit more "smoothing" techniques, but otherwise I work on them with a pretty good amount of pressure as the individual body takes. I don't pamper my massage with them unless I feel it is warranted for their present condition. Hope that helps.

My current 92 year old client is a good example. I may not work him as deep as I would someone who is a bodybuilder, but I don't find the need to skrimp or worry with him. He's in excellent condition, and better shape than some of my 50 year old clients.

Be judicious with your work, but work all the same. And, since you've been a therapist for a long while, I think you'll understand where I am coming from.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Car crashes and whiplash in the elderly

Thank you for this. Also, bump.