Ageing is a part of life. In old age, the body starts to become infirm. This obstructs senior citizens to live an active lifestyle and eventually they give up on many of their physical activities. This situation then leads to many other health issues that are difficult to deal with. But there is a way senior citizens can lead an active and healthy life without causing any trouble to your body. Massage therapy is the answer. In this article, we will take you through the benefits of massage therapy for senior citizens.
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Geriatric massage therapy is specially designed for senior citizens to address their health concerns. It not only improves physical health but also treats mental stress issues. It involves a gentle application of pressure and passive stretching with the help of a lotion or oil without causing any friction to the skin.
Inadequate blood flow may lead to many health complications in case of senior citizens and may get serious with time. Diabetes, peripheral artery disease of legs, and issues with blood clotting are some of the health complications senior citizens have. So, proper blood flow is necessary for an aging body. Massage therapy involves kneading, passive stretching, and gentle stroking that helps in improving blood circulation in the body.
Stress, anxiety, and depression are some common complaints senior citizens have. It leads to disrupted sleep and improper functioning of the body’s organs. Massage therapy helps in reducing cortisol levels in the body up to 50% and boosts the secretion of dopamine and serotonin. As a result, the body feels relaxed and helps in improving sleep patterns, which in turn, helps the body to fight against stress, anxiety, and depression.
As age increases, the body becomes weak, preventing senior citizens from performing daily activities. As a result, the muscles of the body become stiff and cause obstruction to smooth movements. Massage therapy helps in reducing muscle stiffness with the help of various exercises that involve stretching, kneading and stroking. These actions help in removing the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles thereby facilitating easy body movements.
With age, bones become weak and start to lose their strength. Many senior citizens mention poor balance as one of their major health concerns. Massage therapy is an effective way to gain back muscle and bone strength. It helps to treat problems such as knee arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.
To learn more about what the different types of massage therapy are and how they benefit you, feel free to get in touch with us at Emerald Hill Physio.