In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked at some important information on the possibility of changing your preferred massage therapy technique as you get older. This is a beneficial approach for some people for a few different reasons, including changing bodily needs with age, and knowing your options plays a big role here.
At Body Balance Massage and Float, we're happy to offer deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, trigger point therapy and numerous other massage techniques to a variety of Orem clients, including those who are getting older and are considering making changes to their normal massage routine. What are some of the other key factors that play a role in this decision? Here are several.
In some cases, those of us who are getting up there in years may have to take on new medications that can affect how our body reacts to massage. For example, if you've recently been prescribed blood thinners, you'll want to avoid deep tissue massage as it could cause bruising. The same goes for those who are on cancer treatments or have had recent surgeries.
This is one area that perfectly highlights the importance of communicating with your massage therapist for assistance. It would be impossible for us to list every conceivable medication interaction within this blog; your massage therapist, however, has years of experience and will be able to give you an expert opinion on what will work best given your current situation.
As we age, it's not uncommon for our pain tolerance to change. This can be due to a number of factors, and it doesn't necessarily mean that we're growing more sensitive - sometimes, it can be the opposite. It's important to communicate any changes in your pain tolerance to your massage therapist so that they can adjust their approach accordingly.
In some cases, this may lead to your choosing a different massage technique altogether. For example, if you've always enjoyed deep tissue massages but are now finding them too painful, Swedish massage may be a better option.
Based on the information above, it's clear that there are a number of factors to consider when deciding whether or not to change your massage therapy approach as you age. And while it's impossible to predict the future, being aware of potential changes can help you be better prepared for whatever may come.
If you have any questions about how aging may affect your massage therapy, or if you'd like to schedule an appointment in or around Orem, please contact our caring staff at Body Balance Massage and Float today. We'll be happy to help you find the perfect massage therapy approach for your needs.