Advancement in Massage Therapy: Geriatric Massage
A well done massage can be an incredibly relaxing experience, one that can wash away the tensions of a long day. It is easy to assume to that the elderly don’t have the same tensions as the young, but that isn’t true. Senior citizens today, face a wide variety of mental and emotional problems, ranging from loneliness, depression and isolation. Also, their bodies often carry the ill-effects of a lifetime of work and stress.
As massage therapy evolves and becomes more specific, a recent advancement in the field is geriatric massage therapy. This kind of massage is targeted specially at senior citizens. It usually includes 30 minute to hour-long sessions in a spa, senior citizens’ home, or residence. The geriatric massage therapist starts with helping the receiver to passively stretch his or her shoulders, arms, legs, and feet. Soft massage strokes are then applied to various parts of the body, and the therapist is careful not to press too hard. The therapist may often focus on the back, and the aim is to improve cardiovascular health and circulation.
The benefits of geriatric massage therapy can be many for a senior citizen. The most immediate benefit is decreasing the stiffness of the body and reducing inflammation. Like all massages, this one too helps with improving blood circulation and posture. This in itself has many related health benefits, and because of this a geriatric massage once a week is an effective preventive therapy. For those citizens who suffer from age-related ailments like arthritis, diabetes or Parkinson, massage can improve the circulation of lymphatic fluid, providing some relief from these problems.
Yet another, deeper benefit from this massage is immeasurable. The massage helps senior citizens with physical and emotional problems connect with other people. This helps them fight feelings of isolation, restlessness, and uselessness that many of the elderly have. Any good massage therapist develops a strong emotional and physical bond with the receiver, and this can greatly benefit the elderly. This sort of physical activity provides older people with emotional and mental support that can help them live the sunsets of their lives with strength and dignity.
There are a large number of elderly people in our society today, probably larger than ever before. Geriatric massage therapy is one way to care for our loved ones as they age, and provide therapeutic benefit not just to their body, but also to their spiritual and emotional well being.
