Everyone knows that a good massage can make you feel like a new person. And now, people are beginning to understand the many benefits of massage therapy, including the role it can play in overall health and well-being regardless of age.
So how does massage enhance any person, any body, at any age you ask? Several studies show that massage therapy can help with things like improved immune function in preterm infants, decrease blood pressure and improve stability in older individuals, as well as reduce stress and anxiety in cancer patients of all ages.
This recent medical research compiled by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) suggests that massage therapy can be an effective tool for a variety of health and medical conditions. In the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), massage therapy given to stable, preterm infants daily, positively associated with higher natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and weight gain. Parents of preterm infants should consider speaking with a certified massage therapist to learn more about the certain techniques that are designed to help their child. Massage can also be a wonderful stress buster for children. Touch is the first sense we develop as humans and, regardless of age, massage therapy can help minimize stress using relaxing techniques during a therapy session.
Additional research has shown massage therapy to aid in improving balance, neurological, and cardiovascular function in older individuals. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB) found that older adults who receive massage therapy for up to six weeks could benefit from decreased blood pressure and improved stability. Simply, massage therapy helps you relax; in turn it lowers blood pressure and decreases stress, among other things. As we age, mobility can become an issue. Specific massage therapy techniques can aid in improving stability and improve range of motion.
Massage therapy can also have a positive influence on the quality of life of people suffering serious illnesses such as cancer. Massage therapy has shown to improve physical, as well as emotional, well-being in patients with diseases like cancer. Massage can help reduce stress, anxiety, nausea, pain and fatigue. Massage therapy doesn’t only help the body; it can help the spirit of a person. Some people with cancer say that having a massage can make them feel whole again, make them feel more positive about their body, and rebuild hope.
Finding a professional massage therapist is vital to having a positive massage experience. At Oasis Massage and Spa our licensed massage therapists will take the time to get to know you and your needs. Regardless of your age, massage therapy doesn’t judge, it’s a no brainer to view massage as being beneficial to overall health and wellness.
Oasis Massage and Spa
Linden Market | 132nd St. and Dodge St.
402.964.2267
www.oasismassageandspa.com
