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january 07, 2010 09:15pm
Easing Back Pain With Massage
There's good news on the horizon for the millions of Americans who suffer from low back pain. Some studies have found moderate to strong evidence of the positive benefits of massage in treating this chronic, pervasive problem. In studies such as "Lower Back Pain is Reduced and Range of Motion Increased After Massage Therapy" (conducted in 2000 and published in the International Journal of Neuroscience), massage therapy not only eased chronic low back pain in adults, it also reduced depression and anxiety, improved range of motion and sleep, and increased serotonin and the catecholamine dopamine biochemical levels.
The findings of such studies are compelling and encouraging, as these data may suggest that massage therapy effectively reduces back pain, can positively impact the biochemical system, and attenuates psychological symptoms associated with back pain. Since the problem of chronic low back pain has such an adverse affect on job productivity and work absenteeism in our country, there is great hope that if the positive effects of massage therapy in back pain studies can continue to be replicated, it will be highly beneficial to the millions who suffer from the condition.
Why does massage seem to be so effective in treating back pain? Because, in essence, alleviating pain is one thing massage therapists are trained to do, whether they do it directly by gently manipulating and palpating muscles and soft tissues, or indirectly by reducing overall stress and tension in the body, allowing the patient to relax. Massage therapists are trained in anatomy, physiology, and pathology, and they spend many hours concentrating on and performing bodywork. Whether it is lower back pain, arthritis or fibromyalgia, massage may be able to relieve the associated pain. Happily, massage is completely compatible with other therapies such as chiropractic and acupuncture treatments.
The beauty of all this is that studies are clearly showing that massage is one way to ease pain, but more importantly, there are plenty of undocumented instances occurring everyday in which people are experiencing pain relief from massage. Each individual, however, experiences pain differently and for different reasons, so it's important to consult your physician or health care professional for diagnosis and treatment advice. All in all, it can be argued that all of this research, along with the unreported success stories happening all the time, is giving a renewed since of hope to chronic pain sufferers.
january 01, 2010 04:53pm
The Importance of Touch
We all are faced with the difficult task of offering words of encouragement to those who are ill, or as a way to convey good will to the elderly. However, in many cases our attempts are feeble and can seem meaningless more often than we care to remember. Sometimes the best way to make someone feel better is with a warm hug or a gentle hand on the shoulder. The touch of another human being is a primal human need which also contributes to the acceleration of the healing process occurring after a physical injury or an extended illness.
Living in a mechanized world for the past few decades has taken a toll on the general health of individuals in modern societies and we are just now becoming acutely aware of the negative affects associated with the absence of touch. However, through the resurgence of touch-based therapies like massage we have come full circle back to the roots of healing and good health.
Massage therapy has begun to help us reclaim our natural instinct to nurture each other with touch. This is especially true as seen with the benefits of healing and compassionate care for the elderly. From pet therapy, we have learned that blood pressure and blood sugar levels improve when a dog or cat is held and stroked, which is true for the young, old and every age in between.
We're also reclaiming our instinct to nurture the ill and dying through gentle touch, both in an attempt to revive health and to offer transitional compassion. The relaxation achieved through a gentle foot or back massage has amazing pain relieving results and time free from pain and discomfort allows the body to use its internal resources for healing. Touch is natural, with few, if any, side effects, and it allows us to reconnect with our natural ability to heal.
Massage has proven to be especially physically beneficial for the elderly, as it improves circulation of both blood and lymph, stimulates the nervous system, softens tight muscles, and enhances function of the digestive and respiratory processes. Administering touch to the elderly can also increase appetites, decrease the need for pain medications, calm agitated states, promote restful sleep, and decrease post-surgical recovery.
december 21, 2009 04:54pm
Charge Your Immune System Lymph Massage
Lymphatic massage, also referred to as lymphatic drainage, boosts health, improves immune function, increases white blood cell count, and helps your system carry toxins out of the body. It can also speed the healing process by eliminating blockages in lymphatic flow while encouraging better function of the lymphatic system, which can become sluggish if the system is overloaded with a heavy toxin load. It is useful during pregnancy, in treating edema, inflammation and sinus issues, as well as for helping heal injuries. Seasonal lymphatic massage is recommended for bolstering the immune system between the changing of the seasons.
The lymph system consists of several organs and glands throughout the body and is connected by a series of vessels carrying the lymphatic fluid through the body. When you become sick, you may notice that you have swollen lymph glands, which is the result of your lymphatic system working overtime to produce white blood cells and carry toxins out through the lymph fluid. The goal with lymphatic drainage or massage is to prevent the over-taxation of your lymphatic system by boosting it's function.
Lymphatic massage can feel deceptively gentle, especially for those who are accustomed to deep tissue massage. This gentle touch, however, is exactly why lymphatic massage works the way it does. The lymph vessels and glands are just underneath the skin, and the slow wave-like movements replicate the gentle pulse rhythm of the lymphatic system. In effect, this massage mimics the natural cycles used by the body to eliminate toxins. For areas where there is muscular involvement, deep tissue manipulation would be followed by gentle lymphatic massage stimulating healthy lymph gland function.
It is important to drink plenty of water after a lymphatic massage to assist in toxin elimination. Some people experience mild flu-like symptoms after lymphatic drainage, this is normal and the result of a toxin purge. While most people simply feel relaxed and refreshed, whether or not you will experience any of the flu-like symptoms depends on the toxins you have been exposed to and the amount of toxins being moved through and our of your body. Drinking plenty of water, avoiding excessive salt, and keeping the body moving will all help your body to finish flushing those toxins out so you can start enjoying your healthy, immunity-charged body.
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