Massage Therapy for Seniors

Can seniors benefit from massage therapy? While the soothing benefits of massage are great for people of all ages, people over the age of 60 have some extra reasons to consider using massage for wellness and vitality. In fact, there's a specific genre of massage called geriatric massage that has been developed for the unique health needs of senior citizens. While geriatric massage uses many of the same techniques offered by popular options like sports massage, relaxation massage, and wellness massage, this version is adjusted to offer an experience that's slightly less intense. Here's an overview of the techniques that massage therapists use when providing geriatric massage:

• Gentler, softer hand motions.
• Careful movements when massaging tender joints.
• Shorter massages.
• Passive stimulation of the feet, legs, neck and shoulders.
• Targeted and infrequent "strong" motions.

Should you consider massage for wellness, vitality, and pain relief if you're over the age of 60? While there is no universal answer for every senior, learning about the far-reaching health advantages of therapeutic massage can help you to make a decision. Take a look at what every senior needs to know about massage therapy.

Why Massage Is Beneficial for Seniors

As you probably already know if you're focused on maintaining a healthy way of living well into your golden years, seniors are at higher risk for a variety of health issues. It's very common for seniors to have diseases and disorders related to blood circulation. As we age, restricted blow flood can reduce the amount of oxygen that moves throughout the body. Common issues that can cause poor blood circulation include diabetes and heart disease. One of the biggest perks of massage therapy is that it increases blood flow throughout the body. Massage is especially beneficial for boosting blood flow to the extremities.

If you're a senior struggling with limited mobility and range of motion caused by a condition like Parkinson’s or diabetes, a circulation-stimulating massage can help to increase mobility, boost flexibility and relieve stiffness. Many people who are "flaring up" with pain or inflammation can find nearly instant relief with help from a therapeutic massage that is designed to address their specific underlying health issues.

You don't have to be suffering from a disease or health condition to enjoy the benefits of massage as a senior. The general benefits for stress relief and relaxation offered by massage therapy should be enough to convince you that this treatment needs to be part of your routine health protocol! In studies, massage has been shown to cause a reduction in a stress-related hormone called cortisol that's responsible for feelings of panic and anxiety after just one treatment. However, the benefits for mental health and wellness go way beyond one hormone.

According to an article published by Psychology Today, "Moderate pressure massage also enhances the body's immune response by increasing the activity of natural killer cells." There is also evidence collected from brain-imaging studies showing that massage therapy actually induces changes in parts of the brain that are responsible for regulating our stress and emotional responses.

It's a myth that being in your golden years means that the stresses of life are behind you! Aging brings forth a whole new set of challenges and stressors to cope with. This is why seniors should be seeking holistic, easy options for maintaining peak wellness. The myth that people over the age of 60 are simply enjoying their retirement without any cares in the world can contribute to a lack of awareness about mental health among seniors. In reality, seniors face daily stressors related to chronic health issues, caring for a spouse or partner with a health condition, worries over finances, the need to continue working past retirement age, concerns about adult children, sadness stemming from distance from family members, and feelings of isolation. For seniors, the effects of stress on the body can be severe. Here's a look at some common physical signs of stress:

• Loss of appetite.
• Digestive problems.
• Lack of sleep.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Rapid pulse/heartbeat.
• Headaches/migraines.
• Muscle tension.
• Aches and pains.

There's even evidence that chronic stress can make people more vulnerable to serious health conditions and diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Stress can also slow down wound healing. This particular stress-related vulnerability is something that seniors should be paying attention to because wound healing is a major concern for many people recovering from surgery or injuries.

Massage and Tissue Healing

For seniors who have undergone surgery, massage can be an effective treatment for speeding up healing times. In one study, 90 percent of participants saw an improved appearance of scars following massage treatments. In addition to helping with scar healing, massage can also help to speed up healing and recovery in musculoskeletal tissue. In a study looking at the biological changes created by massage, researchers were able to conclude that massaged muscles were better able to make mitochondria to help promote faster recovery from muscle damage and strain following physical activity. The findings of this study confirm that massage aids in healing and recovery.

Massage Therapy and Lymphatic Detoxification

In addition to stimulating regeneration and healing within the musculoskeletal system, massage can also detoxify the body. In a 2015 study, researchers concluded that lymphatic massage can be effective for relieving symptoms ranging from stiffness to depression. Massage can provide relief for people who are experiencing inflammation or swelling due to fluid buildup within the lymphatic system.

Massage Therapy and Everyday Aches and Pains

The situation doesn't have to be dire before you seek massage therapy to tackle pain. In fact, making massage a part of your lifestyle can be a great proactive health choice. As we age, stiffness and tightness can creep into our joints and muscles. While we can still move around, we can't quite move around in the flowing, pain-free way that we used to just a few years ago. Massage therapy can be an amazing tool for keeping your muscles, joints, and connective tissue "free" and flexible. In addition to helping you keep that spring in your step, massage can help you to avoid the increased risk of injury that comes from having tight muscles and joints.

Massage Therapy and Sleep

According to the Sleep Foundation, "24 percent of people between 65 and 84 years old report being diagnosed with four or more health conditions." What's more, seniors with multiple health conditions are more likely to report getting less than six hours of sleep per night! Many also report that reduced sleep quantity is accompanied by poor sleep quality and sleep-disorder symptoms. Sleep-deprived seniors are putting their health in jeopardy by not giving the body time to heal and replenish each night. This is where massage therapy can be a big asset for health. In one study, massage therapy was found to be an effective treatment for reducing insomnia in postmenopausal women. There's also evidence that sleep-supporting hormones like melatonin and serotonin are released during massages!

Healing Through Relaxation: Make an Appointment to Bring Massage to Your Wellness Plan

Healthier, happier, and more active golden years are possible when you put wellness first! Massage therapy is a great way for seniors to enjoy benefits like more energy, increased flexibility, improved sleep, and disease prevention. It's a great time to book your first massage! When you book a massage with our friendly staff, we'll help you experience a custom massage that addresses any specific health, wellness, or mobility concerns you have. Rest assured that your comfort is always our first priority. Contact our offices today to bring massage into your plan for enjoying wellness and vitality for many years to come!