Massage For Seniors: Healthy Aging Benefits

On January 31, 2018   /   Massage Therapy   /   Leave a comment
Massage For Seniors: Healthy Aging Benefits

Massage for Seniors: Feeling Good at Any Age

Massage for seniors is incredibly helpful in maintain flexibility and movement. It also helps reduce stress and anxiety.

Therapeutic massage can help you feel good at any age, including seniors. It is especially beneficial as you grow older.

Massage can:

  • improve general health
  • address problem conditions
  • improve sleep
  • enhance quality of life

Challenges of Aging

Even though aging is a normal life process, there are things we can do to lessen the effects and slow the process.

Some physical effect of aging include:

  • decrease in general mobility
  • decrease in muscular strength
  • slower nerve conduction
  • less tissue elasticity
  • thinner and drier skin
  • loss of bone mass
  • decreased function of the senses
  • less efficient immune system

Chronic stress and inactivity can accelerate the aging process. Luckily, therapeutic massage combats both of these issues.

Related: Arthritis and Massage Therapy

Benefits of Massage for Seniors and the Elderly

Enhances General Health

Massage can be introduced to any health maintenance plan at any age. It helps keep the body and mind functioning optimally.

Massage Reduces the Negative Effects of Stress

As mentioned above, stress and anxiety can accelerate the aging process. Massage can help reduce the physical and mental effects of these debilitating conditions.

The elderly are particularly at risk because of:

  • accumulated losses
  • frustrations
  • possible isolation
  • lack of human touch
  • loss of independence

Massage for Seniors helps to:

  • enhance general relaxation
  • reduce muscular tension and associated discomfort
  • reduce anxiety
  • improve sleep
  • increase feeling of well-being

Mobility and Independence

Massage for seniors can help you keep the flexibility and strength needed to accomplish the activities of every day life. For example:

  • getting up out of a chair
  • walking
  • climbing stairs
  • driving a car
  • getting in an out of the bathtub or shower

Massage for Seniors Supports Fitness Programs

Regular exercise and movement is vital to lifelong fitness and slowing the aging process. Therapeutic Massage can be an important addition to an exercise routine. Benefits include:

  • Reducing injury and soreness
  • Relaxes tight muscles
  • Relieves muscle aches and stiffness
  • Speeds recovery from exercise

A Caring Touch

For seniors who are home bound, have lost independence and loved ones, massage can provide a caring touch. It also provides personal interaction and communication.

Related: Types of Massage and What to Expect During a Massage

Massage therapist can visit you in your home or residence or you can visit their office to receive a massage. Which ever is easiest for you.

Please check with your medical health provider first before getting a massage.

Also, please read our article on Massage for Alzheimer’s Patients and Dementia Care, as massage can be very helpful with this disease.

Schedule  A Massage Today

I have experience with massage for seniors and elderly care. I am also a cancer survivor and have extensive experience and a passion for helping cancer patients and survivors. Discounts are available for cancer patients, survivors and veterans. Call today to find out more information. 517-898-2899

massage for seniors

References:

Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging. Creagan, E., MD., editor. Rosetta Books, 2014

Ayarti, M. and Azarani, A. Paths to Healthy Aging. Amazon Digital Services. 2014

Rose, M.K. Comfort Touch: Massage for the Elderly and Ill. Baltimore: LWW, 2009

Therapeutic Massage for Healthy Aging by Patricia J. Benjamin, Ph.D. and Victoria Carmona.

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Fibromyalgia Relief with Massage

On January 15, 2018   /   Massage Therapy   /   Leave a comment
Fibromyalgia Relief with Massage

Do You Have Fibromyalgia?

If you have Fibromyalgia, or you suspect you do, you know all too well the frustrating pain that comes and goes and moves around. It doesn’t help that your pain is compounded by the negative effects of everyday stress.

Pain is stressful. It’s a vicious cycle.

Massage can help break that cycle.

Massage as part of your Fibromyalgia treatment planFibromyalgia and massage

Not only can massage help with the pain of Fibromyalgia, but research studies confirm that massage helps calm the nervous system, reduces anxiety, and improves sleep.

At this time, there is no known cure for Fibromyalgia. Each patient is different and treatment plans can include a combination of therapies to relieve symptoms.

Massage is a natural remedy for treating some of the major symptoms and is backed by sound research studies.

The benefits of therapeutic massage for Fibromyalgia suffers include:

The Best Time for Massage for Fibromyalgia

The symptoms of Fibromyalgia can vary from mild to severe. Some patients find massage helpful even during severe flare-ups. Others prefer to wait until their pain is at a lower level to receive massage. Your health care provider and massage therapist may be able to help you decide, but ultimately you know what is best for you!

Call me today to discuss your symptoms and how massage therapy can help! 517.898.2899

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How Often Should You Get a Massage?

On February 1, 2013   /   Massage Therapy   /   2 Comments
How Often Should You Get a Massage?

MassageOne of the most common questions about massage therapy is how often one should get a massage. The right answer differs from client to client.

How often you get a massage depends on many factors. These include:

  • your general health
  • the reason for getting a massage
  • how you felt after your last session
  • your time
  • your budget

Today I’ll focus on the purpose of your massage as a factor in deciding how often to schedule your appointments.

Why Are You Getting a Massage?

Before you and your massage therapist decide on a schedule, you need to talk about why you’re coming in for treatment and the specific modalities that will be used.

General Relaxation

Some people get massages for health maintenance and general relaxation. The purpose of these sessions is to support proper body functions, including blood circulation and joint flexibility. Regular sessions like these prevent pain, stress points, and muscle tension from building up. Massage therapy for relaxation may be scheduled every three or four months.

Stress Relief

In spite of regular massages for relaxation, there may be times when you will experience periods of higher stress and greater muscle tension. If you are in a high-stress job or work in an environment that requires you to be in one position for a prolonged period of time, you may develop tightly-knotted muscles in your back, arms and shoulders. These may result in reduced movement and significant pain. In addition, constant stress increases your risk of heart disease. To help you cope with high-stress situations, get a massage once or twice a month.

Sports Performance and Recovery

Athletes and other individuals who engage in intense physical activity require specialized massage therapy to enhance performance, prevent injury, and speed up their muscles” recovery. Competitive sports, for example, puts a lot of stress on the body. Massage therapy helps to strengthen muscles before the activity, and to heal afterward. The frequency of sessions may range from one to three times a week to three times a month.

Treatment of Chronic Issues

If massage therapy is performed as part of treatment for specific issues, the frequency varies according to the type of illness or injury, as well as overall health. Relief from chronic pain may only be achieved after a program of therapy that includes up to three sessions a week, and additional sessions at diminishing frequency over a few months. Chronic issues that may benefit from massage therapy include back pain, joint pain and localized inflammation.

Pregnancy Massage

Expectant moms experience a range of aches and pains as their pregnancies progress. These include back pain and swelling of the ankles. Regular massage sessions, performed by a certified pregnancy massage therapist, may help ease these discomforts particularly toward the end of the pregnancy. A once- or twice-a-month massage will go a long way towards helping you feel great. As always though, check with your doctor to make sure a massage is appropriate for you during pregnancy. ** There are many other reasons people come in for massage therapy.

Additional Considerations

Likewise, there are additional considerations to take when you think about how often to get a massage.

These include the following:

  • Your General Health. If you are a fairly healthy person, with no injuries or chronic conditions, you can pretty much get a massage as often as you want. If you”re suffering from an injury or chronic illness that could benefit from massage, you might come in for regular treatment with a focus on your specific condition.
  • How You Felt After Your Last Session.  Every time you get a massage, you should evaluate whether you are getting the maximum benefits that you want. If your chronic pain is getting better through massage, you and your therapist might change your schedule accordingly.
  • Your Resources. Your time and finances are important factors to consider when scheduling your appointments. Make the most out of your resources by going to an excellent therapist and by using coupons and special offers.

If you want to know more about how often to get massage therapy that would work for your situation and resources, contact me today.

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The Science and Art of Massage Therapy

On January 2, 2013   /   Massage Therapy   /   Leave a comment
The Science and Art of Massage Therapy

Have you ever though about the art of massage therapy?the art of massage

Did you know that massage therapy is both a science and an art? Far from being just a luxurious way to spend one’s time, there are sound scientific principles behind the practice and benefits of massage.

First of all, the process of becoming a certified massage therapist requires study and training. At the same time, a successful client-therapist relationship is nurtured through an approach that is closer to art than science.

The Science of Massage Therapy

Not everyone can become a professional massage therapist. Many states require licensing before one can practice massage therapy as a business. Massage therapists need to complete hundreds of hours of classroom instruction using an approved curriculum.

In addition to massage theory and application, massage therapy classes cover human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (study of human movement), and pathology.

Massage therapists are expected to know how muscles, nerves, tendons, bones and joints work together in the human body. They study the effects of injury, stress and pain on physical and emotional well-being, as well as overall health.

They are familiar with medical terminology and use this knowledge to help patients with chronic or temporary medical conditions. Massage therapists also receive instruction in injury prevention and practices to aid in physical rehabilitation and the relief of specific conditions. Some may even take specialized classes in skin health and nutrition. In addition to formal classroom instruction, massage therapists are licensed only after they accumulate hours of practical experience in a supervised environment. Many accredited schools have their own clinics where students get hands-on training, under the watchful eye of qualified instructors.

The Art of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy doesn’t simply involve manipulation of muscles to achieve relaxation and pain relief. It also requires that the therapist essentially listen with their hands and offer an environment that provides compassionate care to their client.

The massage therapist thus blends science and art toward the goal of providing a total experience. Several elements go into a successful massage. Among these are:

  • the layout and appearance of the therapy room
  • sensory details such as the touch of the sheets
  • the scents of aromatherapy oils
  • the sound of soothing music in the background.

During a massage session, the therapist uses her hands to find areas that need specific attention and adapts her techniques to meet those needs. As with art, the experience is different for each client and even for each session. Each massage therapist blends science and art by using her knowledge, skills and ability to relate with her client to provide the best benefits every time. The result is an overall encounter that soothes both the body and mind.

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A Short Primer on Five Different Types of Massages

On November 1, 2012   /   Massage Therapy   /   Leave a comment
A Short Primer on Five Different Types of Massages

How Many Different Types of Massages are There?

As a trained and certified massage therapist, I offer a variety of services to suit different needs. Some of these services may be familiar to you, but some may be new. So, here’s short primer on some of the different types of massages I offer, with descriptions and how each can help you live a more relaxed and energized lifestyle:

Swedish Massage

This is one of the most well-known types of massage. When people talk about massage therapy, they most likely mean a Swedish massage. It is sometimes called a “classic massage.” A Swedish massage is characterized by long gliding strokes, kneading, and circular movements on the body. Massage lotion or oil is applied to reduce friction on the skin during a session. This type of massage helps ease joint pain, muscle aches and stiffness. It also improves circulation, and facilitate healing after an injury. It is highly adaptable, and could be very gentle and relaxing. As such, it’s a great massage for new clients, or people who have never received a massage before.

Sports Massage

Sports massages are intended for athletes as a way to enhance their performance, prevent injury, and recover after an event or competition. Before an athletic event, a sports massage can be employed to warm up the muscles and increase blood flow. Afterward, the goal is to help the body deal with toxins released during physical exertion. A sports massage is also helpful for athletes who are healing from an injury. The therapist can focus on a specific problem area instead of the whole body.

Chair Massage

Chair massages are also known as seated or on-site massages. The fully-clothed client sits on a specially-designed chair, which facilitates the session. The massage is concentrated mainly on the back, arms and hands of the client. The therapist may use a variety of techniques, such as Swedish and Deep Tissue massages. An advantage of this type of massage is its versatility and portability. You can get a chair massage at public settings such as airports and malls. You can even host one at your place of business.

Prenatal Massage

Prenatal (or pregnancy) massages are given to expectant mothers to help reduce stress and anxiety, and alleviate aches associated with a changing body. It”s a great therapy for back pain and swelling in the legs and arms. Proper positioning is needed to support the client”s body during a session. There are also techniques and areas of the body that must be avoided during a prenatal massage. Thus, it is very important than an expectant mother receive services only from a therapist who is certified in pregnancy massage.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massages, as the name implies, go deeper into the muscles than a regular or Swedish massage. A massage therapist who is certified in this technique has received advanced training and understands the structure and workings of the human body. A Deep Tissue Massage can help with rehabilitation after an injury, chronic muscle pain, and conditions such as arthritis and tendonitis. It is often combined with other types of massage. These are only five of the various types of massages that I offer. As you can see, there is a massage technique for practically every need. You can contact me to learn more about these or any other services. You can also ask me questions before we begin your session.

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