Dementia impairs memory, reasoning and other cognitive abilities. As a dementia patient declines, daily activities become harder to perform. The most well-known form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. While there is no cure for dementia, evidence suggests that alternative therapies can improve symptoms and greatly benefit a person’s quality of life. Massage Therapy is one treatment that gives a patient with dementia some relief from feeling isolated, confused or agitated.
The National Center for Biotechnology has an article in the Cochrane Library, Danish researchers confirm that massage may offer a drug-free way to treat agitation and depression among dementia patients. The author’s conclusion states “Massage and touch may serve as alternatives or complements to other therapies for the management of behavioral, emotional and perhaps other conditions associated with dementia.”
Another article in the Evidence-Based Care Journal found that “The findings showed that head and face massage could reduce agitation in elderly Alzheimer’s patients.
As an alternative to drugs, Massage therapy is an effective method for easing pain and relieving stress. It’s other uses, such as being an effective method for caring for the elderly. Using massage therapy for both dementia and Alzheimer’s is proven to be positive for the patients. Since massage therapy is built upon human interaction, it is an effective element for this specified care. This includes reducing anxiety. Massage eases the feeling of loneliness, boredom, and isolation felt by the patients. It releases endorphins, neurotransmitters, and hormones the support your nervous system.
Gabriel Center for Massage Therapy and Wellness
Contact The Gabriel Center for Wellness in the Sarasota area to find out about massage therapy and its many benefits for patients with dementia. Call us at (941) 954-0300.
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