INTRODUCTION
Geriatric Massage, also known as Massotherapy, is a form of massage designed to meet the specific needs of the elderly population. It aims to treat the whole person and not just the condition they have. This technique involves the use of our hands to manipulate soft tissue to improve blood and lymph circulation, relieve pain, and increase range of motion.
Active or passive movement of the joints may also be a part of geriatric massage.
As we get older, our body suffers from a variety of age-related diseases like Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease. As a result, we have poor blood circulation and limited physical activity, which slows our lymphatic drainage. Many of our elderly patients will also be anxious, depressed and lonely. Geriatric massage can help our patients maintain and improve their overall health, as well as regain certain physical functions that have been reduced or lost due to aging. In addition, it can relieve anxiety and depression and provide comfort and companionship to an otherwise lonely person.
DESCRIPTION
Geriatric massage uses the same basic massage techniques as Swedish massage. It is, however, tailored to the specific health conditions and needs of the elderly population.
Geriatric massage has the following characteristics:
- Thoroughly review patient’s medical history.
- In most cases, client’s doctor will have to be consulted ahead of time.
- Short sessions. A geriatric massage session usually lasts between 30 to 45 minutes, as a longer session may be too much for an elderly person.
- Use of gentle hand motions. These motions are comfortable and soothing to the body. They are designed to improve blood circulation and heart function, prevent diabetic complications, relieve muscle tension, and relax the body and the mind.
- Passive stretching movement for shoulders, legs and feet are recommended to improve joint mobility and flexibility.
- Longer hands and feet massage helps relieving arthritis stiffness and preventing diabetes complications.
- Plan on helping your elderly patients with taking of their clothes, getting on and off the massage table, turning over or sitting up, and even getting dressed.
- Extra equipment might be necessary, like pillows, bolsters, blanket and stepping stool.