The 30-Minute Massage, Is It Enough For Seniors?

By Sharon Puszko, PhD, LMT
July 12, 2017

The 30-Minute Massage, Is It Enough For Seniors?

By Sharon Puszko, PhD, LMT
July 12, 2017

This is a frequently asked question. In replying I always stress the fact that the one- and even two-hour massage is largely an American invention, which came into being during the 1960s. I routinely give the following three reasons:

Massage has a profound effect on the heart and on the sensory nervous system in many of the elderly. A 60-minute massage can have a negative effect by overloading the nervous system, the heart, and possibly the kidneys. The kidneys are already compromised due to the loss of a considerable number of glomeruli. So the increased blood flow during a massage can be detrimental.

A second reason is that if you want to do a good job with your client, you must be very attentive. Every move should be purposeful and you should not let your mind wander. Since only chess champions and concert pianists are able to concentrate for longer than a half-hour, a shorter massage will be more focused than a one-hour massage.

Reason three is of a practical nature — it is easier to find people that can afford a weekly half-hour massage than a two-hour massage. You will find half-hour massages easier to schedule at senior centers and nursing homes. If you work with a regular one-hour client who has a specific problem that would show more progress with two weekly treatments, try changing to two half-hour massages.

Massage Concept

The difficulty is changing the concept of what massage is about. It is up to the therapist to make the mental transition from recreational massage. It is not necessary to leave no square of skin untouched, as long as you work the areas that really need the attention.

The first thing to consider is positioning. The most comfortable position for the elderly client is face up, with the exception of people with kyphosis. It also is the least time-consuming position. Almost the whole body can be worked in the supine position: feet, legs, hips, lumbar area, chest, shoulders, neck and arms.

Work on the back can be done by sitting the patient up after finishing the supine position and massaging the back at the end of the lying-down position. If need be, the client could easily be put in the side-lying position.

Now consider the structure of the massage. Begin with a five-minute introduction, an unhurried application of calming strokes, some deep breathes, gentle rocking, etc., to set the scene. Then proceed to the bulk of the work, be it feet and legs, or shoulders and neck. Again, do this unhurried.

Do not carry on a conversation, as it takes away from the quality of your work. It is your concentration that is the most important factor in your treatment because it channels your energy into your client's body. A good therapy-type massage has some hypnotic quality that the massaged body picks up.

Leave about five minutes for a closing. A gradual disengagement will allow the client to rejoin the world feeling great, with the pain and discomfort gone, and refreshed.