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Is massage
therapy
good for seniors?
As we
get older, we tend to lose some of our flexibility and we start to think
thoughts such as "I just can't reach as high as I used to."
Along with less flexibility, our muscles and tendons aren't getting stretched
as much as they did when we were younger, so they tend to get even tighter
over time.
One of the greatest benefits of massage
therapy for seniors is that
the manipulation of the soft tissue by a professional massage therapist
can help bring more circulation into the muscles and tendons manually. After
getting a massage, it's common to notice that you have more ability to
stretch than you thought you ever would again.
Can massage
therapy help
my arthritis?
According
to Touch
Research Institute at the
University of Miami, for people suffering with arthritis, massage
therapy can assist in pain management and help increase their range of
motion. It's been found that massage also triggers a natural joint
lubrication--something very important for arthritis sufferers.
It's unfortunate that, for many people, the only option they are given
by their physician for pain management is another pharmaceutical. With
the serious side effects that are being made public now, these just
aren't the best solution to our health confitions. Thankfully, massage
therapy has shown to be an effective and natural solution to the
ailments associated with the process of aging.
Will massage help
me to sleep better?
Massage
therapy has been shown to help increase strength, muscle coordination,
and posture by reducing muscle tension. And with less muscle tension,
massage can assist seniors in getting a higher quality of sleep. It's
that better night's sleep that gives us more energy during the daytime,
resulting in a more rewarding quality of life.
Do I need my
physician's approval to get a massage?
Since
there are many medications and health conditions that may make it
unadvisable to get a massage, it's best to discuss your intention to get
a massage with your physician first. He or she will give you approval
based on the medications you're taking and the health conditions you have.
I rarely hear of a physician not approving massage therapy because most
physicians understand how beneficial it can be without the serious side
effects of other treatment options.
How
often should I get a massage?
For most people who have massage
therapy as part of their health care program, one massage each month is
usually sufficient to maintain the benefits. However, sometimes a second massage
during a month is necessary to keep everything under control. The monthly maintenance massage is a
great self-care habit to get into!
.What should I do after the massage?
After your massage, it's
important that you drink extra water to help flush out any toxins that
were "stirred up" during your massage. Some people find that
an Epsom Salt bath is helpful for that, too. And if you had any deeper
work done for a tight muscle, you may have some soreness there, so have
an ice pack handy--fifteen or twenty minutes on any area that's sore
usually helps with that soreness. |
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