What is Geriatric Massage

Geriatric massage is a type of massage designed to satisfy the specific needs of the elderly. It involves manipulating the body's soft tissues by using hands to boost blood circulation, relieve pain, and increase motion range. Active or passive joint movement can be a part of geriatric massage as well.

Old people are often affected by a variety of illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, arthritis , diabetes, or heart disease. As a result, their blood circulation is low and their physical activity reduced. Many of them are nervous, discouraged and alienated too. Geriatric massage can help them to maintain and improve their overall health and regain those physical functions that have been reduced or lost as a result of aging. It can also relieve anxiety and depression and provide comfort for the elderly patients who are deprived of touch.

Why becomes that form of massage so important?

The generation Baby Boomer's getting older. As of 2017, Boomers will be aged between 53 and 71. This cohort is one of the largest populations with nearly 75 million participants in the United States, too. That means a large portion of the customer base within this age group for massage therapists to stay. As therapists continue to age it will be important to cater for that.

Here are a few explanations why geriatric massage helps older people and why it should be practiced by massage therapists.

Geriatric massage benefits

• Improved sleep quality

• Headache relief

• Improved quality of life

• Increased range of movement for stiff joints

• Prevention of injury (increased flexibility and stability may help prevent falling)

• Reduction of muscle adhesions (i.e., knots)

• Relief of pain

• Relief of anxiety , depression and loneliness

• Improved circulation of the blood (can help prevent complications).

Geriatric massage therapy

Geriatric clients receive standard or modified massage treatments as appropriate and have the option of requesting a "Geriatric Massage" which is a shorter duration (30 minutes instead of 60 minutes) modified full body massage. The shorter duration of geriatric massage taxes the client less and is more affordable. Many clients prefer two shorter sessions for the same duration within a specified time frame, rather than a single longer session.

Statistics show that every day 10,000 people join the ranks of the 65-year-old (including baby boomers who want to maintain their active lifestyles), and also show that several thousand new massage therapists graduate each year from the nation's massage schools without any special training for senior massage, elderly massage, geriatric physical therapy or geriatric massage therapy.

Research & general acceptance

In the medical community geriatric massage is gaining acceptance. For older patients, it is prescribed to improve blood circulation and alleviate arthritic symptoms. It is often recommended to help improve mobility for patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. While most patients are expected to pay for this service, some insurance providers reimburse the recommended massage treatment. However, as of 2000, Medicare and Medicaid are not responsible for the medication.

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