As we become older, our bodies are likely to begin to slow down, and we may also start to experience some of the pain and stiffness that are associated with being older. If you suffer from a degenerative illness such as osteoarthritis or a neurological disorder such as Parkinson's disease, it may be challenging for you to continue participating in all of the physical activities that bring you delight. However, it is essential for seniors to maintain a level of physical activity since consistent exercise may assist enhance mobility and flexibility, as well as one's mental health.
Seniors May Benefit from Massage Therapy
According to a study that was carried out by the American Massage Therapy Association, there were about 9 million persons over the age of 55 who received a total of 39 million massages throughout the last year, the majority of which were performed for therapeutic reasons. When used in conjunction with conventional medical care, massage therapy for seniors can be an efficient and non-invasive way to help alleviate some of the symptoms of a wide variety of age-related conditions. This is especially true when the therapy is used to complement other forms of medical care. Seniors who get massages on a regular basis report a greater quality of life, higher levels of energy, and an overall sense that they are younger and healthier.
The practice of massage confers significant advantages on various systems throughout the body. It helps to lessen discomfort in the joints and muscles, and it may even lower the increasing levels of stress that tend to come along with becoming older. Techniques such as lighter, more delicate stroking and kneading as well as the application of pressure to particular spots on the body are applied while giving a massage to an elderly person. Even the lightest touch has been shown to have beneficial benefits on the nervous system and blood circulation, which are two of the body's most delicate and sensitive systems that are particularly sensitive to the effects of aging.
A massage session tailored to the needs of an elderly person is often brief, lasting somewhere about thirty minutes. Hand movements that are calming assist to enhance blood circulation, particularly in diabetic foot, as well as reduce muscular tension and relax both the body and the mind.
Senior Massage Benefits
Increased blood flow to the limbs – According to Lima, "Increasing circulation is the most important benefit for seniors." "Good circulation can become increasingly difficult as we age, and massage therapy really helps the flow of the blood into the limbs," she says. "Increasing circulation is the most important benefit for seniors."
Enhances balance and gait - Falling is constantly ranked as one of the top worries for seniors. This is due to the fact that as we age, our bones tend to become more brittle, which may make walking more difficult. Because massage has the potential to enhance blood flow to the limbs, it helps to improve proprioception, which is the sensation of the relative location of different parts of the body. As a result, our balance is improved, and the likelihood of us falling is decreased.
Relaxes tense muscles and tissues - As we become older, we tend to become less active, and as a result, our muscles tend to get harder and more contracted. By boosting blood flow to the targeted regions and subsequently lowering general muscular tension, massage assists in the process of softening muscles and other connective tissues.
Some individuals appreciate massage because it may induce sentiments of compassion and connection, and this is one of the reasons why some people find it comforting. According to Lima, "Many elderly people are touch-deprived as a result of the death of a spouse or partner." [Citation needed] They find that the gentle pressure of a massage is really relaxing.
The neurological system is stimulated as a result of massage treatment. According to Lima, "Massage therapy releases endorphins, hormones, and neurotransmitters that are advantageous for the functioning of the nervous system." This assertion has been consistently backed up by research, which demonstrates how massage therapy may stimulate the production of hormones like serotonin and dopamine, both of which have significant positive effects on the body (the happy hormone).
Eases the healing process after having a stroke — In the past, patients who had had a stroke were told to stay in bed for up to 48 hours as a precaution against having another one. However, this viewpoint has been turned on its head, and today, after a stroke, older citizens are being encouraged to get up and start exercising again. Massage treatment may be a significant help in this regard since it stimulates the parts that are afflicted, concentrating on anything that may be paralyzed.
Enhance your flexibility - As we age, our muscles tend to get more contracted, therefore it's crucial to find ways to assist them relax. A greater range of motion in the activities of daily life may be achieved with the help of massage treatment, which works to relax tense muscles and joints.
Massage's relaxing benefits go far beyond the massage table, and one of those benefits is an improvement in sleep quality. Lima has seen instances in which his dementia patients who received therapeutic massage were able to sleep through the night when they normally wouldn't have been able to do so.
Immune system support: According to Lima, "In my experience, individuals who receive massages get ill significantly less than those who don't," and this is based on her own observations. "Massage causes a significant amount of toxins to be expelled from the body and significantly improves the functioning of the immune system."
Pain relief from arthritis “Massage is not going to ever heal arthritis,” adds Lima, “but it helps to reduce the searing conditions.” Those who suffer from arthritis may find pain relief by concentrating on increasing blood flow to the joints and warming the regions that are afflicted. This has been shown to be beneficial.
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