The Benefits of Massage for Seniors

Massage is becoming better understood as an important therapy for many conditions. With the growing elder population, experts have developed a specific variety of massage known as geriatric massage, focused on the needs of senior citizens.

 Geriatric massage differs from traditional massage in that it accommodates the frailty and limited physical conditions of the elder client. Some clients may be wheelchair bound, requiring an even greater level of caution. Seniors may also have dementia and be easily confused and agitated. In geriatric massage, movements are gentler and spend more time initially on the feet and hands as a way for the senior to become acclimated with physical contact. The massage session may begin with passive stretches of the shoulders, arms, legs and feet. The therapist will use caution in positioning and repositioning the client, and will stroke the body gently and use care not to apply excessive pressure.

 As with all clients, the benefits of massage for seniors will include: 1) improved blood circulation and posture, 2) decreased stiffness and reduced inflammation, and 3) improved circulation of lymphatic fluid. The most important benefit, however, may simply be the comfort and relaxation derived from physical touch. As they lose loved ones and wrestle with the unpleasant reality that they cannot do what they used to, seniors can feel isolated, disconnected and depressed. Because of the intimate nature of massage, a skilled therapist can develop a strong connection with her client. This intimacy, combined with traditional health benefits, greatly helps the older client. Research has been done on geriatric massage, focusing on two common conditions: osteoarthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.

 One study examined the benefits of massage for adults suffering with osteoarthritis of the knee. Nearly 70 adults with knee arthritis underwent an hour of massage two times per week for four weeks, followed by one session per week for four more weeks. When compared to a group that did not receive massage, scores for pain using a recognized measurement protocol of 100 points showed reduction of pain and improved flexibility in excess of 20 points. A separate study tested the benefits of hand massage on nursing home residents. Over 40 individuals with light to moderate dementia participated in a study in which some residents received hand massage and others did not. Massage was shown to measurably reduce agitation among these seniors. If you are a fan of massage, these research results will come as no surprise. While more research needs to be done, it is refreshing to note that our older loved ones can benefit from an alternative therapy that has no drug interaction or other negative side effect.

All massage is non-medical, and massage therapists do not practice medicine. The suitability of any massage program for an elder client should be determined by his or her physician. And any ongoing program of regular massage should be performed only with continuing review and consultation with the client’s medical advisors. Lorenzo Mejia is co-founder of Acorn Home Care Services located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is Qualified Dementia Care Specialist certified by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. More information is available at the Acorn Home Care Services website.