Massage is a healing tool that has been in use for thousands of years in many different cultures. Today, massage therapy is becoming an increasingly popular option for older adults to maintain wellness and improve our quality of life as we age.
As you lie on the massage table under fresh sheets, hushed music draws you into relaxation. You may hear the gentle sound of massage oil being warmed in your therapist's hands.
The pains of age, the over-stressed muscles, the need to be touched – all await the therapeutic hands to begin their work. Once the session gets underway, the problems of the world fade into minutes of relief.
I have been getting massage therapy about once a week for two years. It has helped to ease my essential tremor along with other uncountable benefits. My massage therapist is also a physical therapist. Her training in both fields has enabled her to give me advice in my balance problems, as well.
So what exactly are the benefits to receiving regular massage treatments?
- Increased circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
- Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body's natural defense system, against toxins. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer.
- Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body's largest organ, your skin.
- Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles.
- Reduces spasms and cramping.
- Increases joint flexibility.
- Releases endorphins – the body's natural painkiller – and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.
- Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred.
- Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain.
- Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.
- Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.
Besides increasing relaxation and decreasing anxiety, massage lowers your blood pressure, increases circulation, improves recovery from injury, helps you to sleep better and can increase your concentration. It reduces fatigue and gives you more energy to handle stressful situations.
So, you can see why an old man like me would find massage therapy worth the time and money.
Tait Trussell is an old guy and fourth-generation professional journalist who writes extensively about aging issues among a myriad of diverse topics.