Benefits of Massage

When you are receiving regular massage, you are incorporating a new set of stimuli that can alter discomfort or pain, anxiety, other negative tendencies and create new responses which are more fitting. Massage can reawaken those areas that have been out of commission and can quiet those overly sensitized areas by providing pleasant sensations that can abate the fear of the expected pain, increase circulation and help detoxify the body.  These mechanisms are operating continually, affecting greatly how we function.   You can see how this can contribute to your mental/emotional state, as well as your physical well-being.   

So, the next time you reach the end of your massage feeling mentally cleansed and refreshed, you will know the reason why! Its another great reason to make sure your regular massage sessions remain a priority in your life.

The benefits of massage therapy have been documented for many centuries. Massage Therapy is effective in treating:

• stress reduction,
• post surgical rehabilitation,
• pinched nerves in cervical area,
• spinal problems,
• pain of all types,
• overuse injuries,
• sports injuries,
• pregnancy body posture discomfort,
• circulation problems,
• the lymphatic system,
• immune response system, and
• stimulating the release of body toxins and water retention naturally.

Additional Benefits are associated with many other conditions. Click on the condition below to review how massage can help:

• Pregnancy
• Aromatherapy
• Post Surgery
• Back Pain
• Breast Cancer
• Chair Massage

Our references can also be viewed below, click Here

How is pregnancy massage different from regular massage?

The mother's body must be properly positioned and supported during the massage, using pillows and padding. Proper positioning ensures comfort and safety for the mother and baby.

Also, some massage techniques, such as deep tissue work, cannot be used. Certain areas of the body should be avoided during pregnancy.

Seek a massage therapist who is certified in pregnancy massage. That means that the therapist has had specialized training in pregnancy massage, and knows what is safe for the mother and baby. Massage done during the first trimester is generally up to the therapist, the woman and her practitioner. Massage has never been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.

Additionally, there are many benefits for pregnancy massage, as follows:

1. Tranquil relaxation and reduce stress.
2. Relief from muscle cramps, spasms, and myofascial pain, especially in the lower back, neck, hips, and legs.
3. Increase in blood and lymph circulation, which can reduce swelling.
4. Reduces stress on weight-bearing joints.
5. Improves outcome of labor and eases labor pain.
6. Enhances the pliability of skin and underlying tissues.
7. Provides support for the new mother with physical and emotional strains of mothering.

Aromatherapy massage for mothers 

Sixteen first-time mothers received a ½ hour aromatherapy massage 2 days after delivery, while 20 mothers received standard post-partum care. The aromatherapy massage group had significantly decreased ratings of post-partum blues and anxiety and had increased vigor and attachment to their babies.** 

**  M. Imura, H. Misao,  H. Ushijima, ‘The psychological effects of aromatherapy-massage in healthy postpartum mothers.’ Midwifery Womens Healt, Mar-Apr 2006, vol.51(2):e21-7].

Post-surgery massage 

An article in the May/June 2007 edition of Clinical Nurse Specialist: The Journal for Advanced Nursing Practice, a study of cardiac surgery patients found that massage therapy improved client’s mobility post-surgery by:

• decreasing pain
• reducing stress
• increasing overall sense of well-being

The authors concluded that massage therapy was cost-effective due to the consequences of increased mobility – namely by enhancing the patient’s motivation to get well, which sped up the patient’s safe dismissal from the hospital. Although the application of this study first appears narrow, it can open up many opportunities for promoting massage therapy’s cost-effectiveness by reducing reliance on expensive Western medical treatments or facilities.

Back Pain 

In an article published in the June 2003 edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers evaluated the effectiveness, safety and costs of the most popular complementary and alternative medical therapies used to treat back pain. Although categorized as just a preliminary conclusion, the investigating team found that massage therapy, but not acupuncture or spinal manipulation, was able to reduce the cost of care after only one therapeutic session. This information is extremely valuable to those suffering with back pain. Since one or several massages could help back pain just as much or more than a full, costly series of a different modality, consumers are likely to recognize massage therapy as the more affordable choice.

With so much uncertainty and fear about the economy, it’s easy to panic that your regulars might become less regular and that new clients will be harder to find. However, by understanding why your services would become even more attractive during this global financial hardship, you can begin your campaign to educate consumers and businesses. Once people understand that massage therapy will reduce their overall health expenditures, your services are sure to be a priority in an increasing number of household and corporate budgets.

Breast Cancer 

Massage therapy reduced anxiety and depression and improved immune function including increased natural killer cell number in women with breast cancer. See, Hernandez-Reif, M., Ironsor, G., Field, T., Hurley, J., Katz, G., Diego, M., Weiss, S., Fletcher, MA., Shanberg, S and Kuhn, C. (2003) Breast cancer patients have improve immune and neuroendocrine function following massage therapy.Journal of Psychosomatic Reseach, 57,45-52.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer received massage therapy or practiced progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) or received standard treatment. Dopamine levels, Natural Killer cells, and lymphocytes increased from the first to the last day of the study for the massage therapy group. See. Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Ironson, G., Beutler, J., Vera, Y., Hurley, J., Fletcher, M., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, S., & Fraser, M. (2005). Natural killer cells and lymphocytes are increased in women with breast cancer following massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience,115, 495-510.

Chair Massage 

Convenience: Chair massage is performed in the work place. Your employees will be seated upright on a special massage chair and will remain fully clothed. No oils are used, so there is no need for them to be concerned about stains on clothing. The chair is lightweight and portable; it can be set up in the break room, an office, or small conference room.

Benefits Studies by the Touch Research Institute University of Miami in Florida :show that the benefits of chair massage have quick results. Immediately after massage sessions, the subjects experienced a change in brain waves in the direction of heightened alertness and better performance on math problems (completed in less time with fewer errors.) At the end of the 5-week study period, subjects reported reduced job stress and elevated moods. This was in addition to the usual benefits of massage, relief of muscular tension, revitalized energy, and a stronger immune system. The study’s findings are significant in that the International Labor Organization stated in its 1993 World Labor Report that job stress costs the U.S. economy $200 billion annually through diminished productivity, compensation claims, absenteeism, health insurance, and direct medical expenses.

Take good care of yourself; see you soon!

Joan Howard

References: 

http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/138/11/898, A Review of the Evidence for the Effectiveness, Safety, and Cost of Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, and Spinal Manipulation for Back Pain, Daniel C. Cherkin, PhD, et al, Retrieved October 29, 2008, Annals of Internal Medicine, June 2003.

http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=13886, Economic Crisis: Be Aware, Get Prepared, Ralph Stephens, BS, LMT, NCTMB, Retrieved October 29, 2008, Massage Today, November 2008.

http://www.nursingcenter.com/prodev/ce_article.asp?tid=719639, Massage Therapy: A Comfort Intervention for Cardiac Surgery Patients, Patrica G. Anderson, MS, RN, et al, Retrieved October 29, 2008, Clinical Nurse Specialist: The Journal for Advanced Nursing Practice, May/June 2007.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1182346, Is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) cost-effective? a systematic review, Patricia M Herman, et al, Retrieved October 29, 2008, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, June 2005.