As the years tick by, staying active becomes increasingly important for people who want to remain independent for as long as possible. Simple pleasures that range from playing with grandchildren to taking an afternoon stroll in the park are dependent on your body’s ability to engage in physical activity.
Physical activity encompasses anything and everything that gets your body moving, from a gentle walk to a competitive game of badminton. Health experts recommend that all adults over the age of 65 should aim to engage in two and a half hours of moderate to intense aerobic activity per week, in addition to weight training exercise that strengthens muscles and bones.
After the age of 35, bones lose their ability to withstand the stress and strain of everyday life quite as well as they used to, making them more vulnerable to fracture. Muscle tone also decreases, leading to poor balance. The shrinking of collagen in our body’s soft tissue also means that over time we become less flexible. While physical activity can help to delay the inevitable effects of aging, a selection of the right rejuvenation therapies can also go a long way in helping you feel younger.
Rejuvenation treatments
Physiotherapy: The right support from a trained physiotherapist can target a number of the body’s systems, from the musculoskeletal system to the cardiovascular. Therapy encompasses a variety of approaches depending on each individual’s unique health requirements. Manual therapy techniques can be used to relieve muscle pain, as the physiotherapist uses their hands to encourage blood flow to certain parts of the body. Aquatic therapy, a kind of physiotherapy carried out in water, is also a common technique employed by physiotherapists.
Massage therapy: While massage is widely viewed as an indulgent spa treatment, it offers a number of additional health benefits that can aid the digestive process, ease headaches and migraines, and decrease nerve and joint pain. If you are suffering from a particular injury, the manipulation of muscles and soft tissues in a specific area of the body can also have tremendous healing effects.
According to research, facial massage can take years off your appearance by increasing circulation to your muscles and bringing more oxygen to localised facial areas. Using facial massage to improve muscle tone can therefore reduce puffiness and wake up dull skin, which improves the overall look of aging.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a form of therapy that has its roots in ancient Chinese medicine. While it is often viewed as a form of alternative therapy, it is used in many NHS practices. Western medical acupuncture works on the principle that the insertion of fine needles at certain points of the body stimulates nerves under the surface of the skin. This leads the body to produce pain-relieving substances that include endorphins. Research conducted by The Cochrane Collaboration shows that acupuncture can help relieve symptoms for chronic lower back pain, neck pain and osteoarthritis.
Cosmetic acupuncture: While an increasing number of people are turning to cosmetic surgery to combat the signs of aging, it is not a feasible option for everyone. A growing number of people are trying out cosmetic acupuncture as a way to increase circulation and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. According to research, cosmetic acupuncture stimulates the production of collagen and brings blood to the face, which is effective in smoothing out lines and softening the appearance of deeper furrows.
Herbal remedies: In the face of today’s colossal market for anti-aging products, some people still swear by natural remedies as they grow older. For example, cucumber is said to rejuvenate the skin, rose water is said to tighten it and papaya is meant to firm it. However, medical experts recommend that if you are planning to turn to any natural or herbal products to fight the signs of aging, you should always check for the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) mark on the product packaging, which means the product has been assessed by official quality standards.
See also: Restoring Health
What health spas are offering
As you grow older, feeling good within your own body can often help you to feel younger. Treating yourself to a massage feels great at any age, and massages are proven to have a positive effect on your physical and mental wellbeing. Bearing this advice in mind, why not follow up your week’s worth of aerobic activity by indulging in some massage therapy?
Here is our run down of massages commonly available in spas across the UK, in addition to all of their wonderful health benefits.
Swedish: A relaxing Swedish massage uses long, smooth strokes and circular kneading movements on superficial layers of muscle. This type of massage is very gentle, and a good one to try out if you’ve never had a massage before.
Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy massages use one or more essential plant oils to target the body’s specific needs. For example, different oils can be relaxing, energising, stress-reducing or balancing. Aromatherapy massages are often used to treat stress-related conditions.
Hot stone: Warm, smooth stones are placed strategically on certain points of the body to warm and loosen tight muscles and balance energy centres.
Deep tissue: Deep tissue treatments target deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue than other massages. The therapist uses slower strokes and friction techniques across the grain of the muscle.
Shiatsu: Originating in Japan, Shiatsu massage employs localised finger pressure in rhythmic sequences on acupuncture meridians.
Thai massage: Unlike other forms of massage therapy, Thai massage is a lot more energising. In addition to targeting the body’s natural pressure points, the therapist stretches and manipulates the person’s body into a sequence of postures to reduce stress and improve the range of motion about joints.
Reflexology: Although many people know reflexology as a kind of foot massage, therapy involves applying pressure to certain parts of the foot in order to target corresponding body parts and systems. Reflexology can also be very relaxing, particularly if you have been on your feet all day!
Finishing touches…
Unfortunately, there is no ‘cure all’ treatment or elixir of youth that will banish the effects of aging completely. However, as the years pass by, a healthy blend of exercise, physiotherapy, acupuncture and massage therapy offers the finishing touches that can rejuvenate the body from the inside out.
SEE ALSO: The Benefits of Acupuncture
