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Many people view massage therapy as a luxury, something that’s an occasional treat. But science has proven that massage therapy has a wealth of benefits that can improve senior health and wellness. It works well as part of a healthcare plan designed to reduce pain, improve flexibility, and reduce stress. Sure, it feels luxurious, but it’s not just for occasional indulgences!
Massage therapy is one of the best ways to reduce stress among those of any age, but especially among the elderly. The power of touch can reduce social isolation, while the feel-good hormones released by massage can help fight depression and anxiety. And when you reduce stress, you can reduce many problems that could negatively affect senior health.
Massage therapy can help alleviate issues associated with chronic stress, such as:
· Significant muscle tension
· Problems with digestion
· Lingering headaches or migraines
· Problems with sleep
· A suppressed immune system
· High blood pressure
· Depression and anxiety
· Overall physical discomfort
If you are a senior experiencing any of the symptoms listed here, look into a medical alert system with fall detection. The vast majority of the issues listed here can increase your risk of falls, and the injuries from those falls can make your stress much worse. Increasing peace of mind for your day-to-day life is possible with the right medical alert device.
Reducing the issues of chronic stress can quickly lead to a much better quality of life. Besides that, the benefits of massage therapy can become a unique aging-in-place strategy, helping to ensure that you can live independently for longer.
Choosing the Right Massage Therapist
It might take some trial and error to find the massage therapist who meets your needs and meshes with your personality. If you give a particular massage therapist a try and things just don’t seem to click, it’s perfectly fine to look for someone else.
In addition to finding someone who meshes well with you, keep these points in mind:
· A massage therapist should be licensed and certified in your state. Ask them about their formal training and education for massage therapy. Remember that each state can vary in their requirements for a massage therapist to become licensed.
· Look for those who have specialized certifications, if needed. For instance, some massage therapists are trained to work with people who have various conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
· Try out different types of massage to find which one works best for you and any medical conditions you might have. Some massage therapists specialize in certain types; for instance, light massage, deep tissue massage, Swedish, Shiatsu, hot stone, etc.
· Talk with the massage therapist about your goals. Whether you’re looking for better sleep, stress relief, more flexibility, or freedom from a particular pain, make sure they know what your goal is and that you are both consistently working toward that goal.
Finally, keep in mind that no matter how good a massage therapist is, you must be willing to do your part. Massage can help ease your body and mind so that you can take over from there. For instance, if you are seeing the massage therapist for back pain, don’t expect the massage alone to solve the problem; you must also be working on stretching exercises at home to see true change.
Why Seniors Can Benefit From Massage Therapy
Anyone of any age can find great benefit from massage therapy, but there are some ways that the process becomes even more valuable as we get older. Here’s why it matters for aging adults.
· An increase in blood flow. This might be one of the most important aspects of massage for seniors. As we get older, our circulation begins to suffer. According to Medline Plus, the blood vessels thicken with age, blood volume decreases, the main artery from the heart becomes less flexible, and even the heart itself changes in ways that can obstruct blood flow.1 Massage makes the most of the blood you have flowing through your body by helping it flow into the limbs, thus rejuvenating your muscles and getting more blood to the smaller vessels in your body, such as those that feed your feet.
· Softening the muscles. Just as the blood vessels in our body get less flexible as we age, so do other parts of the body, including the muscles. Getting better blood flow can help keep the muscles softer and more supple, thus encouraging you to continue the trend with exercise. That exercise will then be more effective.
· Relief from pain. Pain relief can take many forms. Those who have arthritis might appreciate that an increase in blood flow can help ease the burning sensation they might feel with the condition. Back pain caused by tense muscles is often relieved by massage. When you’re in pain, you tend to tense up, so massage can help relieve pain almost anywhere in the body. Besides that, the good endorphins released during massage can alleviate a lot of aches.
· Mental well-being. A study in Innovation in Aging found that when the elderly were touched less often, they began to experience social isolation and loneliness, which in turn can affect health in negative ways.2 Many older people find that they are touched much less as they age, especially if they have lost their spouse or have entered assisted living or some other facility where they don’t see friends and family as often as they used to. Massage can provide that much-needed touch and a sense of connection.
· Improves proprioception. Proprioception is how you perceive the position of your body and how it moves. This is enhanced by proper blood flow to the limbs. The result is an improvement in your balance and gait, which in turn helps reduce your fall risk, although regular massage can’t replace the value of a personal alarm button with fall detection.
· Helps with recovery from stroke. Massage therapy can be tailored to any need, including help with blood flow to those areas that might be paralyzed following a stroke. The sooner you start massage therapy, the better the outcome could be. If you’ve suffered a stroke, talk with your doctor about what you can do to improve your physical functioning, and don’t hesitate to work with a massage therapist.
· Releases good hormones. Massage therapy works wonders not only for blood flow, but for the release of endorphins and hormones like serotonin and dopamine. The nervous system appreciates the flow of these chemicals through the body, and the brain loves it too. According to studies in the journal Focus, twice-weekly massage sessions were proven to decrease the symptoms of depression after only a few weeks.3
· Improves range of motion. We tend to become more sedentary as we age, and that inactivity can lead to tight and stiff muscles. That, in turn, affects range of motion. As you find it harder and harder to do the things you need to do around the house, you can face a greater fall risk and trouble with completing the activities of daily living that you need to handle in order to truly live independently. Massage can soften up the tight muscles, joints, and ligaments in your body, improving your range of motion and making it easier to age in place.
· Better sleep. When you are getting massages, your body is relaxing in a way that can allow your mind to relax, too. That can lead to better, deeper sleep. And since sleep is often disrupted or difficult for seniors, massage can help ensure that you get the good sleep your body needs.
How to Enhance Your Massage Therapy Sessions
If your goal is stress relief, aromatherapy can help you relax and focus while the massage takes place. This might be achieved through infusions of aromatherapy scent in the air or scented massage oils. Once you begin to associate massage with that scent, you can then take the scent into your home in the form of candles or air fresheners, providing further relaxation well after the massage is done.
If you are seeking pain relief or loosening of the muscles, take that relief even further with complementary exercise. Low-impact exercises such as tai chi, swimming, or walking can help you stretch those loosened muscles even more and keep your body in the best condition possible.
You can also work to keep your stress levels low. Learn how to pray or sit quietly and do it on a regular basis. Listen to soothing music during your massage session and listen to that music again at home, perhaps as you are falling asleep at night. Deep breathing techniques can also work wonders.
Peace of mind can go a long way toward reducing your stress levels. That’s one of the many reasons why opting for a medical alert bracelet or wristband is so important. Knowing that help is just a button push away can alleviate a great deal of stress, especially if you are prone to falling or worried about suffering any other sort of medical emergency, or if you live alone. Wear it at all times, even to your massage therapy appointments, to ensure that peace of mind never leaves you.
