5 Shocking Therapeutic Benefits of Massage for Seniors

As the body ages, it starts to slow down. Pain and stiffness are a common problem that comes with ageing. Seniors may find it difficult to engage in their favourite physical activities due to chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis and Parkinson’s disease. However, it is important for seniors to stay physically active to keep their bodies and mind healthy.

How Massage Therapy Benefits Seniors

Massage therapy in Scarborough is an effective, non-invasive approach that helps ease the symptoms of age-related conditions. It can be used in conjunction with other medical treatments or services. Regular massage helps improve a senior’s quality of life by increasing the levels of energy and making them feel younger and healthier.

Typical massage therapy for seniors is a short session that usually lasts for about 30 minutes. It also uses gentle strokes, kneading, and application of light pressure on the joints, soft tissues, and muscles to make each therapy safe and effective. Therapists are properly trained to perform stretching exercises safely during the massage session.

The benefits of geriatric massage are wide-ranging, but here are the most surprising therapeutic benefits for seniors:

1. Reduced Agitation Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia – Various studies showed that slow stroke back massages help relieve agitation (pacing, resisting, and wandering), a common symptom linked to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A 2008 study also revealed that a hand massage reduces agitated behaviours in patients with mild to moderate dementia. Additionally, a 2010 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing reported how getting regular massage therapy benefits relaxation in dementia patients.
2. Promotes Stroke Recovery – Doctors traditionally prescribe patients with a 48-hour bed rest after a stroke. However, modern healthcare professionals believe that getting up and moving again is crucial for stroke recovery. Incorporating good massage therapy in the patient’s treatment regime helps stimulates affected areas.
3. Improve Balance And Postural Stability – As you grow older, the body loses its balance and coordination. This increases the risk of falling and sustaining serious injuries, such as bone fractures. A 2012 experiment conducted by the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodyworks aims to determine how the elderly can benefit from a six-week massage session. Researchers discovered that massage therapy has both immediate and long-term improvements in balance and postural stability.
4. Quick Healing From Injuries Or Illnesses – Our body’s natural mechanism changes and deteriorates with time. Joints and surrounding muscles become tightened, limiting our mobility and making it more difficult to recover from an injury. However, routine massage therapy can help keep joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and connective tissues more flexible, reducing the risk of injury in the long run.
5. Stimulates The Nervous System – Massage therapy activates the brain to release hormones, endorphins, and neurotransmitters, which are essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Many studies have continually backed up this claim and showed how these hormones (including dopamine and serotonin can provide enormous benefits on the body.

Maximize the benefits of a therapeutic massage by coupling it with other relaxation and preventative measures. Since physical and mental health are connected, massage therapy for seniors helps improve the balance crucial for the proper maintenance of the health.