Since baby boomers will be the largest population group seeking
health care over the next few decades, it's important for today's
massage therapist to understand how massage can help seniors, and
what special needs they may have. Unlike years past, today's
seniors may be more familiar with massage and more open to seeking
massage for pain and stress relief.
However, bringing the benefits of massage to seniors requires
special consideration: For example, certain stretching and joint
mobility exercises are not advised for older adults. An older
person might have difficulty with osteoarthritis as well as
decreased flexibility. Changes in older clients' skin will require
you to reduce your pressure during a massage.
In National University's massage therapy programs, you'll
explore how to address the needs of special populations like senior
citizens. That way you'll be ready to work with the largest group
of US health care consumers!
In the meantime, the American Massage Therapy Association has
two excellent articles about massage therapy that discuss the
special considerations of seniors: