HEALING HANDS
As the new year begins many of us look at ways we can improve ourselves such as resolving to eat healthier or to adopt healthier practices.
Of all the positive things you can do for your health many may overlook massage therapy. Sure, it’s relaxing and just makes you feel good overall but it can also be used to improve your health.
Practicitioners say a massage can help your body heal and get healthy.
The Mayo Clinic stated that while more research is needed, studies have found massage therapy to be helpful for blood pressure control, boosting the immune system, plus improving many other conditions, such as stress relief, managing anxiety, sports injuries and helping infant growth.
Several research studies funded by the National Institute of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine set out to note the effects of massage therapy.
In 2008, massage therapy was found to be of significant help in pain relief as well as controlling physical and emotional distress for cancer patients.
In a 2010 study researchers found that participants who received massage therapy had a significant decrease in the hormone arginine-vasopressin, which helps to regulate blood pressure and water retention, and increased the number of circulating lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell in our immune system. The preliminary data led researchers to conclude that just a single Swedish massage treatment produces measurable biological effects and may benefit the immune system.
Researchers also found in other studies that massage therapy can be of benefit for those with chronic neck and back pain and pain due to osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.
In 2011 researchers found that patients with lower back pain who received 60-minutes of Swedish massage therapy once a week suffered less pain, showed improvements in function, were better able to perform daily activities, and used less anti-inflammatory medications.
Also in 2011, researchers in Spain found that fibromyalgia patients who received myofascial release massage therapy for 20 weeks had significant improvement in painful tender points and physical function.
A 2012 study showed that osteoarthritis patients who received a 60-minute Swedish massage therapy session once a week also improved, with a reduction in stiffness and significant improvement in pain and function.
Researchers noted that the use of massage therapy had promising potential for managing inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
Local New Port Richey massage therapist, Linda Gagnon, and massage therapist apprentice, Keri Thompson, attest to seeing their own patients improve in pain and function in their office.
Gagnon explained that many of her own patients seek massage therapy for treatment of fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, autoimmune disorders, migraines, pain management and to recover from injuries.
Recovery time and the number of massage therapy treatments needed varies from patient to patient and depends on the severity of injury and/or medical condition, the overall health of the patient, the patient’s age, and the amount of time between the onset of the injury and the time of seeking care, said Gagnon and Thompson.
Gagnon also said that massage therapy can help women after surgery for breast cancer, especially if they have had lymph nodes removed. Massage therapy can manually help to move the lymphatic system.
“The goal of massage therapy is to facilitate the body’s natural healing response and to encourage blood flow. With almost all body tissue, healing is in the blood flow and lymphatic drainage,” said Thompson. “Medical massage therapy is tailored and targeted for your individual needs.”
Massage therapy is generally safe as long as it is performed by a licensed and trained massage therapist. Some forms of massage can leave you a little sore the next day, but should not be painful.
Patients taking blood-thinning medication such as warfarin (Coumadin) may easily bruise and should ask their doctor whether massage is safe for them.
To find a local licensed massage therapist near you, visit the American Massage Therapy Association at amtamassage.org or the Florida State Massage Therapy Association at fsmta.org.
Linda Gagnon, is a licensed massage therapist, FL MA10723, at Healing Hands Therapy Inc., located at 7218 Massachusetts Ave. in New Port Richey. She can be contacted at her offices at (727) 844-3193 or visit.healinghandstherapyinc.net.
