Massage Therapy Has Benefits for People of All Ages

Massage Therapy: Health Benefits for the Young and Young-at-Heart  

The health benefits of massage therapy do not begin at a certain age and end in the same way. Massage therapy treatments can begin as early as infancy and last a lifetime.

In an article recently published by the American Massage Therapy Association entitled, “Research Roundup: Massage for all Ages”, the undisclosed author writes:

“Recent research suggests that massage can enhance the immune function in preterm infants, decrease blood pressure and improve stability in older persons, as well as reduce stress and anxiety in cancer patients.”

Multi-Generational Benefits of Massage Therapy — in Detail

For Infants:

Research published in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), showed that for stable, preterm infants, daily massage therapy is positively associated with higher natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and weight gain.

For Older Adults:

Research published in the 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.

For Seniors:

Research published in BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care indicates that massage therapy can have a positive influence on the quality of life of people suffering serious illnesses such as brain cancer.