Massage & Elderly

Great Info, some repeats.  All info comes from Copy/ Pastes.

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Massage therapy is very beneficial for all ages.

I have had many senior citizen clients who have had heart surgeries (even an artificial heart!) and with asthma or other breathing problems. 

Every massage therapist is different.  Ask friends and relatives for their recommendations.  If someone you know has been happy with their therapist, there is a good chance you will be, too.

What does massage do?

Massage boosts your immune system.  That means that regular massage will help improve your health.  By “regular” it could be every week or every few weeks or even once a month.

If you have trouble breathing or asthma, having massage on the muscles in your back and the front of your chest and shoulders will help relax the muscles that have become tight from difficulty breathing.

Massage feels good.  It helps your muscles normalize.  Massage acts as exercise (but you don’t get the the aerobic benefits, of course.)

You may wish to have a general all-over massage because that improves circulation all over your body.  Your therapist could also focus on areas where you have aches and pains.

There are many types of massage and a good massage therapist will ask you questions about your health and any health problems before they begin to treat you.  You can tell your therapist how much pressure you prefer.  You can also let them know where you would like them to work.

Have a conversation with your therapist.  He or she wants you to feel better.

I would suggest starting out with a medium pressure general massage if you are in generally good health.  If the pressure seems too much ask the therapist to lighten the pressure.  If it seems not enough, you can ask for more pressure.  It’s your massage and your body so you always get to make those important decisions and share them with your therapist.

A good therapist will work WITH you not just ON you.

You can tell when the pressure is right if it feels right.  If it feels too uncomfortable or inappropriate, the therapist is working too deeply for you at this time OR in the “wrong” area for your complaint.

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Massage Therapy  For Seniors

Regular Therapeutic Massage Helps Maintain and Improve Your Strength, Flexability, Coordination and Energy … No Matter What Your Age!

Although aging is unavoidable, physical and mental well-being need not deteriorate over the years.  Exercise, good nutrition and consistent  therapeutic massage accentuates and improves health- keeping your life active and enjoyable, along with your Doctor’s care.

Regular Massage Benefits You By:

Increases flexibility in your joints due to a release of synovial fluid.

Improves or restores circulation, bringing nutrients & flushing wastes.

Stimulates lymphatic circulation, carrying away wastes.

Helps you to maintain your health by boosting your immune system.

Relieves stress, anxiety and depression partly due to a release of endorphins.

Enhances your sense of well being allowing you to sleep better.

Relieves muscle aches and pain by softening tight muscle and connective tissue.

Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering blood pressure,pulse and breathing rates.

Enhances capacity for a clearer mind.

Long term improvements can be seen with a specific massage program of several weeks to a couple of months for health issues such as:

Convalescence after hip or knee replacement, bone fractures, surgery.

Stroke recovery

Arthritic conditions

Peripheral vascular disease

Painful feet and heel spurs

Poor blood circulation in lower extremities

Limited range of motion in knee and hip joints from lack of use.

Shoulder and neck stiffness.

Shallow breathing from COPD such as emphysema.

Stress syndrome and insomnia

Fibromyalgia ( massage is the one thing that does help)

I have a background in healthcare and enjoy working with seniors in the nursing home setting as well as in their own homes.

Together we will determine the length of massage appropriate according to your level of activity and your health issues. You may have 60 minutes or 30 minutes or less. Also available is chair massage in which you are fully clothed in a chair designed to align your body and help you relax.

Explore the possibilities of massage therapy as part of your healthcare.  Talk with your friends who are getting massage and see what a difference it makes in their life.  Better yet try it for your self!  I am honored to work with seniors with a deep respect for all the many miles you have walked and all the wisdom you have earned.

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Geriatric Massage

Complementary medicine, including massage therapy, is becoming increasingly popular among senior citizens. The results of a recent survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association showed a threefold increase in the percentage of older adults who received massage therapy within the last year. More than 40 percent of those surveyed said that they use massage therapy to treat health conditions. 

Most people experience a rise in aches and pains as they grow older, and range of motion begins to decrease. Depression is also on the rise in older adults, which can be a result of lifestyle changes as well as an increased sense of isolation. Geriatric massage employs particular techniques that aid in pain management, improved stability and muscle tone and an enhanced sense of emotional well-being.

Geriatric massage uses a gentle approach, and can be performed with the client lying down or seated in a wheelchair. Special attention is given to the hands and feet, improving circulation and creating a heightened sense of body awareness. Massage encourages natural joint lubrication, which reduces pain from conditions such as arthritis.

Senior massage is beneficial for a number of conditions, including poor posture, which results from muscle tension.  Massage improves muscle tone and has a positive impact on muscle strength and coordination. This results in improved stability, which in turn helps to reduce the occurrence of injuries due to falls arising from loss of balance. 

Disruption in normal sleep patterns, inability to sleep through the night and insomnia are common complaints among the elderly. Massage has been proven to be beneficial in triggering the relaxation response and has been lauded as an effective treatment for insomnia. As we age, it is crucial to receive consistent, restorative sleep. Chronic lack of rest can have detrimental effects on mood, cognitive abilities and immune system function. A gentle massage performed in regular intervals can reduce the need for prescription sleeping aids.

The power that therapeutic touch has on the emotional state of the client is undeniable. Many seniors experience feelings of isolation and increased levels of anxiety as they undergo lifestyle changes and begin to experience the deaths of close friends and family members. It is often difficult for an elderly person to accept their own physical limitations that make it difficult or even impossible to perform the activities that brought them a lifetime of enjoyment. This causes a rise in anxiety and depression, often adding to a senior's existing feelings of isolation. A gentle, caring touch can convey feelings of intimacy, empathy and can foster a deep connection between client and caregiver.

A study by the American Public Health Association (APHA) concluded that senior citizens who were given therapeutic massage experienced improvement in vitality, anxiety, depression, positive well-being and general health. These results were found in both independent and community dwelling adults. Moreover, the simple comfort that human contact conveys can be a cherished occasion for seniors who experience depression and loneliness. Geriatric massage is indeed an important tool to enhance the health and well-being of our aging loved ones.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/