Author: Lyndon

Now, you might ask and rightfully so, “What is the difference between a massage therapy and chiropractic therapy?” Well, I will be happy to tell you:

Chiropractic Therapy

• For the most part, chiropractic therapy focuses on the hard tissues such as the spine and other joints for adjusting and realignment. Chiropractors have some training in massage techniques but that is never their first and foremost priority.

• Chiropractors are authorized to make medical diagnosis, order x-rays or blood works.

• Chiropractors cannot prescribe conventional medications but they can sell supplements or homeopathic remedies.

• Chiropractors do not need medical referrals to perform their work.

Massage Therapy

• Massage therapists perform wonderful work on the soft body tissues such as the muscles, tendons and ligaments but they have not been trained nor are they licensed to adjust the spine or any other joints.

• Massage therapists may not legally make medical diagnosis, order x-rays or any blood work.

• Massage therapists are not permitted to dispense medications of Western medicine but they can and do provide or recommend alternative herbal remedies.

• Massage Therapists do not required referrals from anyone to conduct their massage sessions.

A recently conducted study in the United States asked to rate which alternative treatments worked best for their two biggest health problems for the past two years and the overwhelming majority voted just as I would have; for deep tissue massage therapy and chiropractic therapy in equal measures for such conditions as back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, respiratory problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, insomnia and prostate problems.

Of course, as far as alternative medicine is concerned, one should not discount acupuncture and reflexology for they too are beneficial in their own very special ways.

With the baby boomers aging and with the help of higher technology and greater innovations in medicine and geriatric science, life is not merely being prolonged but more and more senior citizens today have the opportunity to take advantage of more quality life than ever before. This translates into a generation of more senior citizens of more advanced ages living among us, and that is, in my opinion a very good thing.

National demographic studies tell us that nearly 40 million Americans are currently 65 years of age or older and over 2,000 more reach age 65 every single day. To accommodate the ever grown demand for massage therapy among senior citizens, many massage therapists are choosing to expand their expertise by studying the art of age-specific massage therapy which is often referred to as senior’s massage or geriatric massage.

For the most part, massage therapy for senior citizens is extremely beneficial and of utmost importance to relieve the aches, the pains, the stiffness and the great number of health condition which are so often associated with aging. Most importantly, however, lonely and isolated, depressed, anxious and fearful senior citizens derive pricelessly valuable benefits from the simple pleasure of the caressing human touch and the intimate companionship afforded them during massage therapy sessions.

Massage therapy for senior citizens does not differ in technique but it does differ, and it differs greatly in the application of that technique, whichever that technique may be. In other words, just about any of the different massage techniques can be used on senior citizen but they must be modified enough to accommodate the facts that, very often, the skin of senior citizens have become thinner while growing much less pliable and much more easily broken, their bones are thinner and more brittle, their joints are more stiff with reduced range of mobility, their blood vessels are more prominent and closer to the surface of the skin and their overall health, vigor and vitality have been downgraded through the years.

Taking all that into consideration, extra care musts be taken when positioning them on the massage tables, they should never be expected to perform the same movements as younger adults, and wheelchair-bound or bedridden seniors should get their massage treatments while remaining seated in their chairs or reclining in their beds.

Most massages for senior citizens are limited to anywhere from thirty to forty five minutes because the elderly seem to respond better to shortened sessions with greater frequency. Furthermore, greater time is usually spent on massaging their hands and feet than any other part of their bodies. That is especially true for those seniors who have lost the use of their hands and feet as massaging them will enhance their body awareness as well as increase sensations and blood circulation throughout.

We all need plenty of TLC (tender love and care) but senior citizens need and deserve quite a bit more of it.

Massage benefits individuals of all age groups and different conditions. Touch is as important to any infants and kids like eating and sleeping. Massaging involves loving, gentle stroking or kneading by a parent or caregiver on various parts of a child’s body like the face, head, arms, shoulders, neck, hands, back, legs and feet.

Use of oils on the body of your precious little ones to soothe, relax and heal affirms a strong, close bond conveying a comforting sense of trust and security.

Early infant massage enhances the development of the nervous system and stimulates all other systems of the body. It improves circulation, respiration, aids digestion and eases elimination of wastes from the body. It also makes your little one less prone to gas and colic ailments. Massage of baby in its growing years prepares the body for sitting, standing and walking.

Massage is a wonderful stress buster for children who are prone to all kind of stress. Like a child starting a school in a new area, health, fights amongst parents, exams or peer pressure, etc produce emotional, physical and mental stress. Massage reduces stress hormones and heals the body.

Each child responds differently to massage. Some may squirm, cry, or some might just appear more relaxed and calm and also fall asleep.

There is no fixed time to massage your baby. Find a time suitable for you and your baby. Some enjoy in the morning after their feed, some in the afternoon before or after their naps. Massage before bedtime can put a cranky baby to sleep peacefully. Follow the massage with a warm bath.

While giving a massage, sit straight either on the floor or on the bed or stand before the table. The room is warm enough as your little one can shiver when undressed. The place where you massage you baby should be quiet and away from distractions of all kinds.

Lay your child on soft surface like thick set of towels so it may not hurt it self when it wriggles or squirms. Keep aside towel, pair of wash cloths, clean diaper and baby clothes for use after the massage.

Oils are good for lubrication, helping your hand glide smoothly over your baby’s soft and rather delicate skin. Small babies have a habit of putting their hand or fingers in their mouth all the time, so it’s ideal to use oil that is of good quality. Use cold pressed (oils extracted by means of pressure) or unscented oils. Alternatively you can use baby oils produced by many companies which specialize in baby products. Grape seed oil has nice texture, apricot and almond oils are smooth, light and easily absorbable into the body. To massage your babies, use coconut oil in summers and mustard oil in winter.