Massage for Older People
There’s no doubt that a regular massage has the potential to help improve your quality of life, and this applies to older people too.
The Effects of Massage on Older People
The positive effects of massage on the health of older people are well documented by research. It’s been proven that the gentlest massages can benefit the circulation and nervous system, so if a gentle touch is required for more frail customers, it will still work just as well as a powerful sports massage for an athlete.
Geriatric gentle massage helps stimulate circulation naturally. Without causing any discomfort, so many older people are happy to give themselves over to an expert massage therapist’s hand when they feel tense and need a healing touch.
One significant benefit of massage is that it doesn’t have any side effects. It won’t interact with the older person’s medicines for conditions that often affect them (diabetes, depression, Parkinson’s, dementia, and other common conditions.) Physicians have sometimes reduced regular medications because of regular massage sessions.
Helping Counteract the Signs of Old Age
Older people often suffer from symptoms caused by conditions like arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. This can often leave them with limited mobility and poor circulation. On top of this, many older people can report feeling depressed or even lonely.
Geriatric massage helps boost their physical health and relieve the depression that sometimes goes with it. It also gives older people access to a comforting touch. There is evidence that degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s have responded to regular half-hour massages.
Massage in Elderly People Can:
- Help boost the quality of life and self-esteem.
- Improve sleep quality
- Relieve stress, depression, and even loneliness
- Provide relief for headaches and other aches and pains
- Restore some lost mobility due to Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, and other limiting conditions.
How Is Geriatric Massage Different?
Geriatric massage uses the same techniques you’ll find in a general massage. But this massage suits older people’s specific needs.
- We use extra gentle techniques; gentle movements are soothing at the same time as it improves circulation. This can be especially helpful if someone has a diabetic foot or a muscle tension build-up.
- Gentle hands and feet massage to soothe swollen joints and relieve stiffness.
- A massage therapist can use stronger movements, friction, and pressure with care to help improve flexibility in larger areas like the shoulders.
Massage is a lovely therapy that people of all ages can enjoy – if you know someone who would benefit from massage but thinks it’s not for them because they are ‘too old’ – treat them to a session and see if you can put the smile back on their face. Call us now or book online for a massage session that you and your older loved one can surely enjoy.
Brilliant Massage & Skin
Burlington, Vermont
