“What are the benefits of massage for seniors?”
My grandfather is really stressed and tired all of the time. I suggested to him that he should go to massage therapy but he isn't sure he wants to. What are some benefits of massage therapy for seniors?
7 Answers
Seniors tend to be more sedentary than their years working. With age also comes a longer time to warm up the muscles of the body, upon awakening from 8 hours in bed. Some seniors suffer with arthritis. Painful. The stress and any pain he may be in will cause him to tire more easily. You haven’t said what is stressing him out. There’s a direct correlation for all of us with the Body and Mind. Seeing someone about the issues stressing him will help. Having a massage may not make his concerns go away, but it will relieve the stress it has taken on his body. Fact: Stress is the number one cause of most dis-ease in the body.
Hello, and thank you for your question. Massage is one of the greatest stress reduction tools we have in our self-care programs. Massage promotes overall relaxation, including reducing tension stored in the body and allows the receiver to completely relax and let go. Also, please let your grandfather know that he can remain clothed during massage. Many people are sometimes anxious about the idea of disrobing for a massage . Perhaps you should get your grandfather a gift certificate for a treatment to see if he likes it? They make excellent Christmas gifts!
Benefits for seniors would be increased blood flow increased range of motion, increased, relaxation, decrease, anxiety, decreased depression, as well as learning how to take care of one South
-Increases blood flow to limbs – “Increasing circulation is the most important benefit for seniors,” says Lima, “Good circulation can become increasingly difficult as we age, and massage therapy really helps the flow of the blood into the limbs.”
-Improves balance and gait – Falling is consistently listed as one of the top concerns for seniors, as our bones tend to become more infirm as we get older. Due to massage’s ability to increase blood flow to the limbs, it helps to improve proprioception, or the sense of relative position of body parts, thus improving our balance and reducing our chances of falling.
-Softens hard muscles and tissues – As we age, we generally become less active and so our muscles harden and get tighter. Massage helps to soften muscles and tissues by increasing blood flow to the areas and ultimately reducing overall muscle tension.
-Produces feelings of caring and comfort – Some people enjoy massage because it can produce feelings of caring and connection. According to Lima, “Many seniors are touch-deprived due to the loss of a spouse or partner. The touch of massage really helps them to relax.”
-Stimulates the nervous system – “Massage therapy releases endorphins, hormones and neurotransmitters that are beneficial for the functioning of the nervous system,” says Lima. Research has continually supported that claim, showing how therapeutic massage helps produce hormones that have enormous benefits on the body, including serotonin and dopamine (the happy hormone).
-Eases stroke recovery – It used to be that bed rest was prescribed for up to 48 hours after a stroke, for fear of triggering another one. But that stance has flipped poles and now, following a stroke, seniors are advised to get up and moving again. A major aid to this is massage therapy because it stimulates affected areas, focusing on anything that might be paralyzed.
-Increase flexibility – As our aging muscles tighten due to inactivity, it’s important to help them relax. Massage therapy softens up tight muscles and joints, enabling a wider range of motion in the activities of daily living.
-Improves sleep – The relaxation benefit of massage extends well beyond the massage table. Lima has seen cases where therapeutic massage has helped some of his patients with dementia sleep through the night when they otherwise wouldn’t.
-Immune support – “In my experience, people who get massages are sick far less than people who don’t,” says Lima. “Massage releases a lot of toxins and greatly supports the functioning of the immune system.”
-Relieves arthritic pain – “Massage isn’t ever going to cure arthritis,” says Lima, “but it helps to relieve the burning conditions.” Focusing on increased blood flow to the joints and warming affected areas has proven benefits in pain relief for those suffering from arthritis.
-Improves balance and gait – Falling is consistently listed as one of the top concerns for seniors, as our bones tend to become more infirm as we get older. Due to massage’s ability to increase blood flow to the limbs, it helps to improve proprioception, or the sense of relative position of body parts, thus improving our balance and reducing our chances of falling.
-Softens hard muscles and tissues – As we age, we generally become less active and so our muscles harden and get tighter. Massage helps to soften muscles and tissues by increasing blood flow to the areas and ultimately reducing overall muscle tension.
-Produces feelings of caring and comfort – Some people enjoy massage because it can produce feelings of caring and connection. According to Lima, “Many seniors are touch-deprived due to the loss of a spouse or partner. The touch of massage really helps them to relax.”
-Stimulates the nervous system – “Massage therapy releases endorphins, hormones and neurotransmitters that are beneficial for the functioning of the nervous system,” says Lima. Research has continually supported that claim, showing how therapeutic massage helps produce hormones that have enormous benefits on the body, including serotonin and dopamine (the happy hormone).
-Eases stroke recovery – It used to be that bed rest was prescribed for up to 48 hours after a stroke, for fear of triggering another one. But that stance has flipped poles and now, following a stroke, seniors are advised to get up and moving again. A major aid to this is massage therapy because it stimulates affected areas, focusing on anything that might be paralyzed.
-Increase flexibility – As our aging muscles tighten due to inactivity, it’s important to help them relax. Massage therapy softens up tight muscles and joints, enabling a wider range of motion in the activities of daily living.
-Improves sleep – The relaxation benefit of massage extends well beyond the massage table. Lima has seen cases where therapeutic massage has helped some of his patients with dementia sleep through the night when they otherwise wouldn’t.
-Immune support – “In my experience, people who get massages are sick far less than people who don’t,” says Lima. “Massage releases a lot of toxins and greatly supports the functioning of the immune system.”
-Relieves arthritic pain – “Massage isn’t ever going to cure arthritis,” says Lima, “but it helps to relieve the burning conditions.” Focusing on increased blood flow to the joints and warming affected areas has proven benefits in pain relief for those suffering from arthritis.
Geriatric massage is beneficial for moving circulation and increasing endorphins while reducing pain and stress.
I love this question! Massage for seniors is important! Seniors are frankly not touched as much as they used to be. Not to mention sometimes not as active. Getting massage gives them somewhere to go and someone to talk to. All the typical massage benefits apply physically.
There are always benefits of massage! Being tired, massage can help move toxins out and energize him. Massage is also a great stress reliever, being able to relax and stimulate the parasympathetic state when he otherwise can't.
