A natural remedy: The benefits of massage for older adults

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Massage therapy is a comprehensive intervention that involves manipulating, pressing, and rubbing muscles to achieve desired results.

With aging comes certain bodily changes that include pain and stiffness in the joints that, in some cases, lead to decreased mobility. Certain activities, such as dancing, running, or other forms of exercise can exacerbate these symptoms, while slips and falls can cause more severe mobility issues. Massage therapy can help alleviate these symptoms.

Performed correctly and by a licensed therapist, a massage therapy can relieve tightness in the muscles, decrease inflammation, improve flexibility, and restore normal range of motion to the joints. It also improves blood circulation, reducing muscle fatigue and soreness and hastening healing so seniors can get back to performing their daily activities.

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Osteoathritis is the most common form of arthritis and one of the most common in older adults. Also called “wear-and-tear arthritis,” it is defined as a joint disease that occurs when the cartilage, the tissue that covers the ends of the bones in the joints, is degraded over time.

Some studies suggest that massage therapy is an effective complementary treatment to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for osteoarthritis, particularly for pain relief and partial restoration of mobility.

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Some studies also suggest that hand massage and therapeutic touch are effective in controlling agitation among patients with dementia brought on by Alzheimer's Disease. Physical agitation symptoms, such as pacing, resisting, and wandering were noted to have visibly improved following a short 10 minute massage session.

Massage therapy is a natural alternative therapy and complement to more traditional treatments such as NSAIDs. Combined with moderate exercise and a healthy lifestyle, massage therapy can help older adults live their lives to the fullest without having to worry about negative, long-term side effects or being overly dependent on pharmaceutical products.

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Massage Envy Spa provides therapeutic massage options for every life stage, from prenatal massage geriatric massage. Learn more about the benefits of massage therapy by subscribing to this blog.