Maintain Your Body as You Age with Massage

By Maureen Lamerdin O.M.D.

Almost 35 million Americans are age 65 or older, and about 2,000 more reach this age every day. As the US demographic shifts to an older population, it’s important to find ways of helping our elders, maintain their health and vitality.

Massage for seniors is gaining importance as an alternative therapy to increase quality of life, and many massage therapists are getting special training to better serve this growing population.

Seniors’ special needs while similar in technique to other forms of massage, geriatric massage considers the special needs of the elderly. The specialty trained practitioner knows about positioning for greatest comfort and will often have the client rest in the same position for the entire massage. Mobility challenges made dictate the massage be done in a bed or wheelchair. The therapist may also work both sides of the body at the same time to enhance body awareness, or only work hands and feet, if the client prefers. Sessions may be limited to 30 to 45 minutes as older clients often do better with shorter, more frequent, massages. 

The geriatric massage therapist is aware of health issues associated with aging, and how to safely work with this type of client and with associated physicians. Consequently, the practitioner is able to individualized the massage service based on the clients health, mobility, and comfort level.

Benefits of geriatric massage, a recent study conducted at the Weavers Tale Retreat Center in Oregon looked at the effects of massage for elderly clients. The result of the two-year study showed that participants experienced a decrease in breathing rate of 50 percent and an improvement in range of motion, posture, body awareness, skin, color, and muscle tone. Furthermore, it is well documented that caring, touch benefits, emotional well-being in seniors – a population at greater risk of suffering from depression.

Massage therapy can add the quality of a seniors life, both physically and emotionally. Consider booking a session for someone you love, and make a difference in their life.