Senior (Geriatric)
“Senior” massage, also called “geriatric” message therapy, is designed to address the specific needs of the elderly population. Many people do not like to consider themselves as “senior”, “elderly”,or “geriatric”. But as the baby boomer population enters the most crucial health period of the lives, the size of this segment of population continues to increase. Massage therapy helps address the specific needs as aging takes place.
Geriatric massage uses the same basic massage techniques as general massage. It is, however, tailored to the specific health conditions and needs of the elderly population. Depending on the physical condition of the client, the use of gentle and light application of massage techniques with lotion, combined possibly with passive stretching, permits the muscles to be worked without causing excessive stress to the body. This may be one of the easiest anti-aging activities available.
Anti-aging benefits of senior or geriatric massage include:
- Stress relief and relaxation
- Better circulation
- Overall bodily function improvement
- Improve skin
- Alleviate depression
- Increased self-esteem
- Increase joint mobility
- Pain relief, including reducing pain of arthritis and headaches
- Improve memory
- Increase vitality
- Improve posture, balance and flexibility
- Encourage overall well-being
- Provide comfort, especially to touch-deprived elderly people
Additionally, geriatric or senior massage helps reduce high blood pressure and with proper techniques is effective in relieving lymphedema and diabetic neuropathy. Geriatric massage also helps stroke patients, circulatory disease, and patients suffering from Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, sleep disorders, emphysema, joint replacement, amputation, arthritis, bursitis, and even tendonitis.
Some specific health conditions need permission from your physician to proceed with massage. Communication with your doctor and massage therapist will help guide in the choice of therapeutic techniques used.
Seniors often live alone and may seldom receive basic human touch. Geriatric massage therapy includes gentle, caring touch in a safe and comfortable environment, which may promote improved overall physical and emotional health. We care for each individual as he or she ages, and provide therapeutic benefit not only for physical structure but also emotional and psychological well-being. We have worked with 101 year old clients!