With all the aches and pains that come with getting older, it’s normal for the body to slow down. Chronic diseases like osteoarthritis or Parkinson’s disease might make it hard to keep doing all the physical activities you enjoy. But older people need to work out regularly because it improves their mobility, flexibility, and mental health.
A massage for a senior person is usually a short session that lasts about thirty minutes. Gentle hand movements help the blood flow, especially in the feet of diabetes patients. Let’s explore together the various benefits.
Top 6 Benefits of Massage for Seniors
Increases flexibility
Muscles tend to tighten with age because of lack of use, so keeping them loose is crucial. Tense muscles and stiff joints can be relaxed with massage therapy, resulting in greater mobility and comfort during daily life.
Sleep habits and quality of sleep
It has been found that senior citizens who receive weekly massages report sleeping for more profound and extended periods. There is an improvement in general health since the body has more time to mend itself.
Boosting the Immune system
Those who get massages are considerably less sick than those who don’t. Toxins are flushed out of the system, and the immune system benefits immensely from the massage.
Promotes stroke recovery
It was recommended that people with a stroke stay in bed for up to 48 hours because doctors feared doing anything else might cause a second stroke. But now, the tide has turned, and seniors are being encouraged to get up and start moving again after a stroke. Massaging the sore spots and concentrating on any paralyzed muscles will significantly help.
Improves balance and gait
As we age, our bones naturally weaken, making falls one of the most significant problems for the elderly. Because massage increases blood flow to the limbs, it enhances proprioception, or the awareness of the relative location of body parts, making us more stable on our feet and less likely to fall.
Arthritis relief
Massage can relieve osteoarthritis pain but not cure it. Increasing blood flow to the joints and warming painful areas can reduce arthritis pain. Massages helped older persons with osteoarthritis have less pain and stiffness and conduct more physical activities.
Massage Considerations
To make sure their clients get the most out of their massage, therapists focus on seniors’ unique challenges.
Overall health status
Therapists specializing in geriatric massage consider your complete health history before giving you a session. Questions regarding your medical background and current fitness routine may be part of this process.
Medical conditions
A massage therapist must know about any pre-existing conditions before a session.
Sensitivity to pain
Be sure to let your massage therapist know if you have a high pain threshold or don’t experience pain until it’s quite severe. Doing so can help keep you safe from harm or discomfort.
Skin condition
The massage therapist will determine the safest level of pressure to use during the treatment. Your skin may crack or get irritated if you apply too much pressure.
Controlling the temperature
A person’s sensitivity to heat and cold may increase with age. You can also struggle to keep your body at a comfortable temperature. Please inform your therapist if you have a temperature sensitivity during your massage.