Personal Training in Carterton, West Oxfordshire Est. 2018
benefits of massage therapy for older people?
Why massage therapy is so beneficial for older people
Many benefits can be obtained from massage therapy. It can be a great way to de-stress or have a physical impact on the way our body functions. As we age, our body can use all the care we are able to give it, & a therapeutic massage is just the ticket. Whether you are immobile use a stairlift or struggling with circulation issues, a massage can do wonders!
The lack of human touch or contact can create feelings of loneliness, receiving a massage from a compassionate, qualified therapist as myself, has the potential to help you physically & emotionally.
Reduces stress
You may be aware, a massage is an incredible relaxing therapy & with all the stress people are under in the modern age, this is certainly something worth looking into. Reducing stress in the human body, massage therapy has the ability to lessen any anxiety that the older person might be feeling, allowing that person to totally relax in body & mind.
In addition to the many physical benefits massage therapy can have, it has been shown to have a significantly positive impact on those suffering from stress, anxiety or depression.
Relieves arthritic pain
Massage therapy is not a cure for arthritis, it may help to relieve the associated pain. It works by giving the immune system a boost - encouraging fluids to move around the body as well as stretching the fascia & tissues, which increases mobility in the joints & reduces stiffness too.
Helps to treat musculoskeletal pain & reduce muscle tension
Massage therapy has the ability to help with many of the symptoms we associate with ageing. Deceased mobility, joint inflammation & muscle pain linked with conditions such as osteoarthritis & osteoporosis can be dramatically relieved by improving blood flow, reducing swelling & improving range of motion.
We can appreciate the human body stops operating like it once did, tending to stay home more often & get less exercise. As a result, muscles will harden & become tighter – making it even more difficult to move around. Massage can help soften both muscle & tissue. It achieves this by increasing blood flow to these specific areas. With a bit of prompting in older age, it can continue to serve us well into the future.
Improves balance
Balance is extremely important, particularly in older age. Falling is a common cause of injury during the latter years, so doing everything possible to improve our balance is a great idea. As bodies age our posture may not be as good. Mostly because our postural muscles get weaker, which decreases mobility & balance. Just like issues with joints, massage is a great way to help positively impact these problems. By expertly stretching someone's muscles, it encourages healthy joints & better functionality of their musculoskeletal system.
Improves circulation
Possibly the greatest benefit of all to be gained from massage is its ability to improve the body’s circulation as good circulation helps with many everyday activities. Increasing a person’s circulation is vital in older age as bad circulation, unfortunately, becomes increasingly common during this period of life. Improved circulation can be better achieved, however, thanks to massage therapy as it helps improve the flow of blood into the body’s limbs. As a result, older people will be far healthier & able to enjoy life to the fullest.
Helps with stroke recovery
Anyone who has experienced a stroke, or knows of someone who has, understands the damaging impact it can have on our quality of life. To help with recovery after a stroke, massage therapy is now a recommended option, often achieving great results. By focusing on specific areas of the body & then stimulating the areas that may be paralyzed as a result of the stroke, massage therapy can prove to be an invaluable tool in a person’s recovery.