Geriatric Massage and Manual Therapy: Promote Mobility & Function for Baby Boomers with Manual & Massage Therapy

Course Description

Therapeutic massage and manual therapy are essential components of a treatment plan for seniors, with proven efficacy in the evidence-based literature for improving functional outcomes in the elderly. As the elderly population grows, there is an increasing need for skilled hands-on care to address the challenges of aging. Therapeutic massage and manual therapy have proven to be beneficial in reducing some of the symptoms of medical conditions associated with aging, and improving quality of life in the golden years.

This program discusses age-related changes in health and physiology. Intervention approaches for specific problems such as circulatory deficits, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, balance issues, and chronic pain are discussed. A review of the evidence indicating the efficacy of manual therapy and therapeutic massage for common health conditions in seniors is presented. Evidence reveals how manual and massage therapy may be implemented as part of a treatment program to achieve better functional outcomes in elderly patients.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe the effects of aging on physiology, psychology and function in the elderly
2. Discuss the efficacy of manual and medical massage therapy based on current evidence
3. Describe modifications of manual therapy and massage interventions for addressing common medical conditions in the elderly.
4. Explain the benefits of therapeutic massage and manual therapy interventions in promoting improved mobility, reduced pain, and positive functional outcomes in the elderly

• Prerequisites

  None

• Educational Level

  Intermediate

• Other

  Satisfactory completion of this course will require the participant to complete a 10 question post-test with a minimum passing score of 70%.