| ''The tiger is ready to go. That was great!'' These | | | | from regular adult massages, but there are some |
| were the words spoken by an 82-year-old man | | | | special techniques that must be kept in mind |
| who just went through a geriatric massage | | | | mainly focusing on the fact that an elderly body |
| therapy session- a comforting massage for the | | | | requires an even softer touch. Experienced |
| elderly! Massage therapists working in hospitals and | | | | masseurs are aware of the technical know-how |
| nursing homes, claim that the feeling after giving a | | | | of treating the elderly in a more careful manner |
| massage is as incredible as if you were getting it | | | | as compared to somebody in his/her thirties. Such |
| done. Looking into the eyes of the patients gives | | | | a client when positioned once on a massage table |
| you an elated sense of achievement, knowing | | | | would seldom be asked to shift his/her position |
| that you've made a difference in their lives! With | | | | repeatedly. While observing a 30-minute to an |
| this in-built strong belief that this process can quite | | | | hour massage session, therapists tend to focus |
| simply do miracles for the spirit, special massage | | | | more on their clients' hands and feet. As a result, |
| therapy programs are now being introduced at | | | | the blood circulation increases, hence causing an |
| many such nursing homes, the latter now | | | | enhanced sensation and responsiveness in these |
| gradually finding dollars to hire on-site massage | | | | parts of the body. |
| therapists for their residents.1 | | | | Though being an efficient geriatric practitioner |
| With the day by day arising need, we are forced | | | | requires a great deal of experience and hard |
| to commemorate the great significance human | | | | work, a lot is being done to infuse the same |
| touch has had on us from birth to death. The | | | | qualities as that of an experienced geriatric |
| practice of rejuvenating the mind and body by | | | | massage therapist into a young massage |
| means of artistic hand strokes can do wonders | | | | therapist. |
| for a person who is actually in need of it. Hence, | | | | Massage therapy colleges all around the States |
| one should believe in giving back the world what | | | | promote such a dynamic curriculum that helps |
| one has gained from it and massage therapy is | | | | students to develop a solid foundation in |
| one, budding way that can replenish the fading joy | | | | therapeutic technique skills-skills that will make a |
| in the lives of people, who at this stage need the | | | | real difference for their clients' health! There are |
| utmost care. | | | | roughly 1,500 massage therapy postsecondary |
| ''Touch is a natural and therapeutic way of being | | | | schools, college programs, and training programs |
| with the elderly. It is relaxing and healing, and at | | | | throughout the country5 where classes are being |
| the same time pleasurable and sacred'' | | | | taught by professionals who practice what they |
| Mary Ann Finch | | | | teach exhibiting their passion for teaching and their |
| Just as with any other age group, massage has | | | | dedication to the healing arts. |
| proven to be physically beneficial for the elderly, | | | | Special public awareness programs in favour of |
| too. According to statistics 28% of massage | | | | massage therapies are also being conducted |
| customers or patients are in the 55 year old and | | | | nationwide. AMTA recently celebrated the National |
| above range2. In order to attain a cordial | | | | Massage Therapy Awareness week6- an effort |
| mind-body relationship, massage therapists have | | | | to promote massage therapy institutions and the |
| been learning certain particular techniques in this | | | | programs within, simultaneously flourishing the |
| respect. This specific massage for the elderly or | | | | concept of massage therapy as a respectable |
| the Senior's massage, has proven to improve | | | | profession as well. As a result to all such efforts |
| circulation of both blood and lymph, stimulate the | | | | being made, more and more people are gradually |
| nervous system, soften tight muscles, and | | | | becoming responsive to the fact that massage |
| enhance function of the digestive and respiratory | | | | therapy can certainly do miracles for their mind |
| processes.3 Administering touch to the elderly can | | | | and soul! |
| also increase appetite, decrease the need for pain | | | | References: |
| medications, calm agitated states, promote restful | | | | 1.www [dot] massagetherapy [dot] com/articles |
| sleep, and decrease post-surgical recovery.4 | | | | index. |
| Though, geriatric massage doesn't differ much | | | | |