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Massage Therapy for the Aging Body

As the body gets older, physical capacity slowly deteriorates due to the constant exertion of our muscles and soft tissues. This is a natural phenomenon in human anatomy and is also the reason why we need to inculcate the value of healthy living through proper food nutrition intake and regular exercise, to name a few.

Massage therapy is one of the several ways that can help us adapt as our bodies change. This is a preferable method primarily because it’s a non-invasive, non-drug treatment alternative that can alleviate unwanted changes in our bodies, such as muscle or back pain. Aging is a big factor that makes us susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries and other related accidents involving our bones and joints. As we age, our bodies tend to show signs of less flexibility and mobility, and sometimes simply tying our shoes or reaching our toes can become very difficult.

According to a 2003 study by Davis and Srivastiva, aging involves common physiological and psychological changes that affect digestion, vision, balance, mobility, and mood, among others. With several experiments and research done in this field, it has been known that massage therapy shows positive results in easing both physiological and psychological problems related to aging.

Pain Management

A study completed by Adams et. al on hospital inpatients through convenient sampling provided quantitative and qualitative results to show the effects of therapeutic massage. Subjects were chosen from hospital medical, surgical and obstetrics units and received one or more massage therapy sessions, depending on their length of hospital stays. The results showed that the incorporation of massage therapy created positive results, such that patients are able to handle the physical and psychological aspects of their conditions. Further, an important reduction in pain levels was deduced, as was its positive correlation with relaxation, sleep, emotions, recovery and the healing process.

Maintain a Healthy Body System

MyChildᵀᴹ explains that a therapeutic massage affects the eleven (11) major organs of our bodies in different ways. No two persons have the same body conditions, so it’s better that a massage therapist understands your health before performing any activity, especially if you have a special condition to consider. The proper functioning of these major organs is, therefore, beneficial for us to sustain healthy bodies and carry out tasks such as transportation of oxygen in our cells, and balance of hormones. Their proper functioning also eliminates risks of fatal diseases, such as heart attacks and stroke.

Mobility and Flexibility

With today’s advancements in technology, people always expect easy and hassle-free activities. Yes, time is efficiently used if such is the case, but mobility and flexibility may already be compromised. With massage therapy, we are temporarily brought out of our sedentary lifestyles and move our body joints to help them function properly. Even bedridden patients need to apply this principle. That’s why nurses or caregivers handle proper positioning of bedridden patients every 2-3 hours.

Lighter Mood

Several studies have identified the effects of massage on a person’s mood. A calmer, more peaceful, and sharper mind is expected. That’s why most people who are burned out with their careers look forward to their massage appointments.