When it comes to geriatric massage, you should look for a skilled and compassionate therapist who is knowledgeable about pressure, ailments, palliative care, and tailoring the massage for each client. Every Blys therapist is professionally trained and qualified in massage, with some specialising in geriatric massage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is geriatric massage?
Geriatric massage is a massage treatment tailored to the specific needs of an elderly client.
At Blys, our skilled massage therapists always perform geriatric massage treatments in a safe and gentle manner. They ensure that any areas of concern are addressed, whether that’s improving mobility and flexibility, reducing pain or stiffness, improving circulation, or promoting relaxation to boost mental well-being.
Who should not get a geriatric massage?
While geriatric massage is designed for the elderly, please consult your healthcare practitioner before engaging in physical therapy. In particular, if you are experiencing chronic pain, a terminal illness, cancer, or are in palliative care, please consult your healthcare professional to ensure that this treatment is safe and appropriate.
Why is mobile massage the best for the elderly?
Mobile massage services are especially valuable to the elderly. Blys mobile massage therapists bring their own equipment to your home or room, and services can be booked online or via the app with minimal effort. There is no need to leave home, travel, find parking spots, and wait in a queue – everything comes right to you. We prioritise flexibility, convenience, and practicality to maximise healing time and minimise everything else.
What are the different geriatric massage techniques?
The specific techniques used in an aged-care massage will depend on the client’s individual needs. The massage often combines relaxation and remedial therapies, focusing on light, gentle touch and passive stretching to ease muscle tension without excessive friction on the skin.
The following massage services are popular with our elderly clients:
- Swedish massage is a gentle massage that involves long strokes, kneading, and circular movements. It promotes relaxation and improves circulation.
- Remedial deep tissue is a targeted massage therapy that can relieve chronic pain and improve mobility.
- Chair massage is a seated massage experienced in a portable ergonomic chair and focuses on the neck, shoulders, back, arms and hands. It is an excellent option for elderly clients who may have difficulty getting onto a massage table.
Who would benefit from a geriatric massage?
Geriatric massage offers a range of physical and mental health benefits, making it a good treatment for all elderly clients looking to improve their quality of life.
Clients with conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain, weak joints, muscle tightening, atrophy, decreased mobility, loss of circulation and compromised balance can benefit from a geriatric massage. Massage can also help combat feelings of anxiety, depression, stress and loneliness, by providing a personal, relaxing and compassionate experience.
Why choose geriatric massage therapy?
As we age, our bodies naturally change. While this experience is unique to each individual, we can experience issues with our joints and muscles, develop conditions that were once foreign concepts, and perhaps lose the ability to move like we once could. Massage therapy can assist in all these areas by providing a holistic physical treatment that also soothes the mind.
How does geriatric massage improve mental health?
Geriatric massage can improve mental health in multiple ways. Exercise is excellent for mental health but can become challenging as we age. Massage can give elderly patients the mobility and flexibility to be more active, which has an almost instant effect on their mental health. It may also reduce pain and stress, which can be massive contributors to mental health issues.
