Senior Beat
By Carol Higgins Taylor
Special to The Weekly
The leaves are mostly off the trees now which means most of us are venturing out, rake
in hand, for a little fall clean-up. The end result is a tidy yard. Given that raking is not a typical
activity, another end result is likely to be sore shoulders and back. You might find yourself with
kinks in all the wrong places.
The older we get, the harder it is to loosen up the muscles and ligaments that are put to the test with an out of the ordinary activity. I discovered this fact when I awoke stiff and creaky one recent Sunday morning after cleaning out the garage one recent Saturday afternoon.
Remedies for the overextended aging body may include over-the-counter pain relievers, a
heating pad and mild stretching. A glass of wine can have medicinal properties as well.
Go a step further in your quest to loosen up and soothe achy muscles can really get
your body feeling more fluid. Consider massage therapy.
People used to think of massage as something solely for the rich or professional athletes. It was considered an indulgence. Not so anymore. What was once reserved for “someone else” is
now commonly used by everyone. Tight muscles, stiff joints or simply the need for relaxation
are but a few of the reasons the art of massage therapy has gained popularity.
If you have never had a massage, it may seem weird at first. Awkward even. But give it
a chance because once those muscles start to loosen up under the trained hands of your therapist, you will be hooked.
A massage can be advantageous for everyone, though seniors may derive added benefits:
• Improved circulation, which naturally lubricates joints, brings heat and more nutrition to
muscles, and increases the removal of waste.
• Improved skin function by stimulating sebaceous glands, which lubricate the skin with the
body’s own oils.
• Reduction in anxiety and nervousness as the body releases natural endorphins and relaxants.
• Relieves muscle aches and pain while improving muscular tone.
• Increased flexibility and strength, which is needed for tasks such as climbing stairs, and getting in and out of a tub or chair.
• Increased range of motion and coordination.
Typically, clients new to massage will fill out forms regarding their health status. And while massage can be very therapeutic, if there are any health concerns, such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure or edema, check with a physician before booking an appointment. If you aren’t asked to complete a health status form, be sure to let your massage therapist know if you have these conditions. It is also important to disclose if you are taking certain medications, particularity blood thinners.
Discuss the benefits of massage therapy with your healthcare provider because, in some
cases, Medicare may cover the cost.
So what can you expect from a massage? Your therapist will use techniques to relax you and ease stiff muscles, such as tapping, rolling the skin and kneading gently. You are in charge
of how much pressure is used. A massage can be tailored to a client’s needs so specific parts of the body can be avoided if necessary or targeted for extra work.
The whole idea behind therapeutic massage is to facilitate change and balance within the
body, mind and spirit.
When looking for a massage therapist it is important to verify credentials by asking questions such as:
• Are you licensed to practice massage?
• What types of massage do you offer?
• Where did you receive your massage training?
• Do you have experience working with seniors and conditions such as arthritis, etc.?
Again, feeling relaxed is of utmost importance. If you are not comfortable, aside from
possible first-time massage jitters, look for another therapist.
Carol Higgins Taylor is an advocate for seniors and owns a public relations firm in Bangor.
Email Taylor at 4chtaylor@gmail.com.