According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 10% of Summit County’s population is 65 years or older. Additionally, if you look at the population of the United States in its entirety, almost 15% is 65 or older. So, why am I telling you this? Well, as you age your body starts to age and slow down, a person weak and fragile. Some do nothing about it, but some people try to rejuvenate through a variety of methods. One such method that has proven benefits is regular massage therapy to revive your muscles and feel much healthier. However, this process is quite different for the elderly than it is for other adults. Read on for the benefits that senior citizens can experience from regular massage therapy to combat the aging process.
Circulation Improvement
As you move onwards into your senior years, you become more vulnerable to reduced/dropped off circulation. So, accordingly, healthy blood circulation becomes very crucial for the elderly. Combined with a precise workout plan, regular massages can help you prevent the complications that may arise from a lack of circulation. Moreover, regular massage therapy improves lymph flow from the body and can help to boost your energy level and help to recover from your injuries much quicker.
Fights Pain and Stiffness
Many elderly people suffer from pain and stiffness in their joints and muscles. Hands down, massage therapy is the best treatments for this. Tapping, skin rolling and kneading techniques help to activate your soft joints, tendons, and muscles, but leave it up to the therapist to determine which technique is right for you. Along with this, a good massage can help reduce inflammation-related pains in the joints, and can help play a key role in helping you to execute daily activities in a relatively pain-free manner.
Overall Health
I’m going to state the obvious here, but massage therapy provides numerous benefits to your health. For seniors, massages can aid in improving posture, motion, and deliver relief from those nagging aches and pains. Regular massages can also help improve flexibility, decrease stress, anxiety and provide temporary relief from depression.
Battles Arthritis
The most common condition associated with joints, arthritis is considered a “wear and tear” disease that causes joint soreness, deformity, and loss of joint function that makes it difficult for the elderly to move. Many studies have proved that regular massages are effective in lessening the stiffness and pain that comes with this ailment. However, the results are not permanent, but still allows one some relief until their next therapy session.
Improves Digestion
The digestive system weakens as we age, making it difficult to digest food. Massages relax the entire body and, in turn, speed up the digestive system and in some cases can make it stronger.
Mends Posture and Balance
Balance and postural stability are major concerns for the aging population as injuries due to falling are commonplace. It has been shown that proper massages can help improve balance and posture.
Conclusion
Because of advances in medical sciences and alternative health practices such as massage, the second half of the 20th Century has seen an increase in the average life span. There are now more people over the age of 65 alive and well these days than ever before. So, this growing age group has put the elderly at a greater risk for a myriad of health issues, and alternative practices are needed to manage many of these issues, especially for seniors. If you would like to learn more, or want to schedule a consultation, contact our Breckenridge spa.
