According to the Mayo Clinic, massage therapy involves pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is readily offered by many licensed massage therapists and can be done in your home. It is also offered through many private businesses and hospitals. Massage therapy has many benefits for seniors that can include improving blood pressure, reducing anxiety and depression and improving joint mobility.
Blood Pressure
According to the Mayo Clinic, one benefit of massage therapy is the reduction of blood pressure. Since many in the elderly population suffer from blood pressure problems, massage therapy can be very beneficial for them. Massage therapy can help improve blood circulation and relieve tension that leads to high blood pressure. However, massage therapy should never be used in lieu of medication because this can be very life threatening. Instead, massage therapy should be used in unison with medications and medical treatment. Also, if your blood pressure is extremely high, immediate medical advice should be sought.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression is something that many seniors struggle with. This can be due to disease, inability to care for themselves or loneliness. With massage therapy, anxiety and depression can be greatly reduced. Through the process of rubbing and touching a person, depression and loneliness can be relieved. According to the Mayo Clinic, some people who undergo massage therapy experience caring and comfort and develop deep connections with their massage therapists.
Joint Mobility
Another common problem with the aging population is joint mobility. Some elderly suffer from arthritis and osteoporosis and have difficulty walking or performing daily tasks. Through massage therapy, your range of motion can be greatly increased. According to the Lakeside School of Massage Therapy, massage therapy can help with restoring joint mobility by reducing the limits of the soft tissues that surround the joint. This can help improve your ability to perform daily tasks and manage on your own. It also can help improve your anxiety about aging and being unable to care for yourself.
