The Benefits Of Massage Therapy For Seniors

Not only busy businessmen and professional sportsmen benefit from massage. It's also not just plain self-indulgence. In actuality, massage is a 5,000-year-old holistic healthcare method that promotes mind-body harmony. And it's comfortable. Massage therapy can provide mental, emotional, and physical advantages that support a happy retirement lifestyle when it is specifically tailored to the needs of elders.

What Is Massage Therapy?

One complementary medicine strategy that encourages health and healing is massage therapy. The soft tissues of the body, which include muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and skin, are manipulated and pressed by trained, licensed massage therapists.

Special Considerations for Seniors

Thinning skin and arthritic joints can make some seniors flinch at the idea of strong hands pushing and prodding their bodies. But massage therapists who cater to seniors adapt their techniques so they’re comfortable for older bodies. Massage therapy for seniors typically entails shorter sessions and lighter touch. Areas affected by painful arthritis are accommodated, as are mobility issues if a senior has difficulty getting onto or off a massage table.

A Holistic Practice

Massage is grounded in the interconnection of the mind and the body. Although its immediate impact is on the physical body, its effect is multidimensional, benefitting mental and emotional health as well as physical well-being. Massage has been shown to be a helpful therapy for a variety of conditions, including anxiety, headaches, back and neck pain, and fibromyalgia. Plus, its many benefits can support healthy aging in seniors. Here’s how:

• Relaxes the body. Massage triggers the relaxation response in the body, slowing your heart and breathing rate, lowering blood pressure and relaxing your muscles.
• Reduces stress. Levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) decrease, which creates space for rest and recovery.
• Promotes mobility and flexibility. Tightness in joints and muscles — which can increase with age — is relieved, which can enhance flexibility and mobility and decrease the likelihood of injury.
• Reduces the risk of falls. Massage has been shown to improve postural stability and proprioception, your body’s ability to sense movement, action and location, which can improve balance and help reduce the risk of falls.
• Boosts circulation. Improved blood flow helps your body’s cells get the oxygen and nutrients they need for optimal health. It can also help regulate body temperature.
• Reduces pain. Massage promotes the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.
• Improves mood. Increases in the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, sometimes called the happy hormones, support a positive mental outlook.
• Offers positive physical touch. Massage is an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of positive touch, which can sooth, instill a sense of safety and trust, trigger the release of the love hormone oxytocin, and reduce cardiovascular stress.
• Improves sleep quality. Good sleep can benefit immunity and mood, and can lower the risks of certain conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Massage helps reduce stress and pain — two of the most common causes of sleep disruption.
• Enhances immunity. Massage is linked to an increase in lymphocytes, white blood cells that help defend the body from disease.

Holistic Wellness at The DEW Centre

Our residents and we place a high value on mind-body health. Access to tools that promote fit bodies, fit minds, and fit aging is what we offer. DEW clients may conveniently experience massage treatment and all of its advantages thanks to an on-site massage therapist. Along with traditional options like our sensory garden, we also offer Yoga and Pilate sessions to help you keep physically active.

For more information about The DEW Centre or to schedule a visit to our wellness haven, get in touch with us right away.