Move it or lose it - it’s not just kinetic
There is more to mobility than exercise
If you have experienced severe muscular pain or limited movement due to injury or an age-related condition you will know that the pain you experience limits movement and prevents exercise.
In fact it may even make things worse.
Massage helps independence in the home
Sarah Underwood, a long practicing remedial massage therapist says that massage provides many of her clients with an ongoing solution to improving or maintaining their movement.
‘Massage is certainly not a cure for old age, but I have found that regular massage for older people can have a profound effect on their ability to perform everyday tasks such as walking and shopping.
‘For older people with arthritis and swelling in the hands for example, massage can help with simple movements such as crocheting or knitting or at the other end of the scale allow them to undertake duties around the house and keep living independently in their home.’
A massage for all seasons
Depending on the season, Sarah says there are regular times of the year when she sees people in different walks of life.
‘In spring, when people get back into the garden, back and knee complaints are common, and massage helps them continue to do the things they love.
‘Football and netball season also sees many younger people present with sports-related complaints, stiffness and soreness. Massage relieves these conditions and helps to maintain muscle tone and flexibility so they can move with speed and strength.
Individual massage treatments when your movement is limited
‘No two conditions and treatments are the same. If you experience difficulty or limitations in movement, it is worth seeing a massage therapist who can assess your condition.
‘They will check your range of movement, assess where the issues are, and develop a plan with you that is appropriate for you. For example, working with people with frozen shoulder, one person will be very different to another person.
Various factors such as their job, how long they have had the condition, and what they are doing in between treatments, will determine what each person will requires in their massage treatment.
‘Involving your GP for more serious conditions is also advisable.’
Massages to remember
‘I recently had a client who had to stop playing golf for six months because of the pain it caused. After three massage sessions she played nine holes, and now with regular massage she is playing 18 holes again.
‘Working with children with disabilities such as muscular dystrophy, I have helped many children. This includes working with the parents to teach them how to massage their children, which is beneficial for both the children and their families.
‘The case that impacted me the most involved a woman who had experienced a stroke and was told she would be unable to live independently. I saw her three times a week for five months as part of her treatment and she was able to return home.
‘If people find their movement is limited and they cannot do the things they want to do, in my experience massage and myotherapy are well worth giving a try,’ Sarah concludes.
Sarah Underwood is a qualified Remedial Massage Therapists. She is a member of Massage & Myotherapy Australia and currently practices at.
To find out more about myotherapy for office workers, work or sports injury watch Sarah’s video.