Category Archives: Massage News

Stress and the Circulatory System

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circulatory systemThe circulatory system comprises the heart, along with all the arteries, veins, capillaries, and blood. These major organs and tissues have a host of responsibilities for keeping the body alive. One of those responsibilities is to move oxgenated blood throughout the body and return deoxygenated blood to the heart and lungs. Oxgenated blood allows all the organs, tissues, and the body as a whole to function normally.

Cardiovascular disease is the general term for diseases of the circulatory system, commonly the heart, arteries and veins. It is believed that the stress hormones make blood thicker and thicker blood clots more easily. Chronic stress could cause blood clots to form within the bloodstream and impact blood getting to and from the heart. This specifically leads to strokes. It is well documented that stress has a substantial affect on the heart – physically, physiologically, and emotionally.

It has been shown that massage will act as a second heart, pumping blood 5 times as fast to the area being worked. Massage has nothing but positive effects on the circulatory system. So please, don’t let your stress go untreated. Massage Therapy can provide the following benefits to your Circulatory System:

  • Increases blood flow (to tissues and organs), which can relieve much muscular and joint pain (especially associated with swelling)
  • Increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients (to cells and tissues), improving and relieving congestion throughout the body
  • Increases the number of red blood cells, especially in cases of anemia
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduces heart rate (helps develop a stronger heart)
  • Elimination of metabolic waste
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How Does Stress Affect Us?

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Stress-ZebraStripes Stress is a fact of life and a necessity in many cases but left unaddressed, stress can wreak havoc on your body systems and interfere with the intelligent workings of your body.  Simply put, general health will be impaired and ill effects unavoidable.

So, how does stress affect us?  Before we can answer this question we must know what stress is. Simply put, stress is the body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physiological, physical, mental, and emotional responses.

Stress, to varying degrees, is a normal part of life and our body, mind, and spirit is designed to experience and react to stress. Stress can be positive, in that it helps to keep us alert and ready to avoid danger. Additionally, positive life events (such as: a new relationship, wedding, birth of a child, a new home, new career, even exercise, etc.) are all stress inducing events.

Stress, as we know, can also be negative and without relief or relaxation, it will negatively affect every system in our body. In future posts, I will be highlighting the different systems of the body and how stress affects those systems.

Here are some interesting statistics on stress:

– It is now believed that 80% – 90% of all disease is stress induced
– 75% – 90% of all doctor’s office visits are for stress related ailments and complaints
– Emotional disorders are more than 50% due to chronic, untreated reactions to stress
– 43% of adults suffer adverse health effects from stress
– OSHA estimates that stress costs American industry more than $300 billion annually

My intent is to help you understand just how important it is to allow yourself to experience stress relief – it is well worth the time and cost, I assure you. Whether you are an elite athlete, a corporate executive, college student, or average joe, we all need to be active participants in our own care and quality of life.

So please, make time in your life for regular massage; let me support you in living a healthy life.

National Massage Therapy Awareness Week: October 24-30, 2010

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Discover why everyone should make massage therapy a part of their health and wellness routine.

A soothing massage can help you unwind, but that’s not all. Explore the possible health benefits and risks of massage therapy, plus what to expect.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Massage is no longer available only through luxury spas and upscale health clubs. Today, massage therapy is offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals and even airports. If you’ve never tried massage, learn about the possible health benefits of massage and what to expect during a massage therapy session.

What is massage?

Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage therapists typically use their hands and fingers for massage but may also use their forearms, elbows and even feet. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure techniques.

There are many different types of massage, including these common types:

  • Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.
  • Deep-tissue massage. This massage technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.
  • Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage but is geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.
  • Trigger point massage. This massage focuses on trigger points, or sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.

Benefits of massage

Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It’s increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.

Studies have found massage helpful for:

  • Stress relief
  • Managing anxiety and depression
  • Pain
  • Stiffness
  • Blood pressure control
  • Infant growth
  • Sports-related injuries
  • Boosting immunity
  • Cancer treatment

Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often involves caring, comfort, a sense of empowerment and creating deep connections with their massage therapist.

Despite its benefits, massage isn’t meant as a replacement for regular medical care. Let your doctor know you’re trying massage and be sure to follow any standard treatment plans you have.

Use massage as another health care tool

Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever. You can even learn how to do self-massage or to engage in massage with a partner.

Risks of massage

Massage is generally safe as long as it’s done by a trained massage therapist. But massage isn’t appropriate for everyone. Discuss massage with your doctor first in cases of:

  • Unexplained pain or other symptoms
  • Burns or open wounds
  • Cancer
  • Blood clots
  • Fractures
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Severe osteoporosis
  • Pregnancy

Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit sore the next day. But massage shouldn’t be painful or uncomfortable. If any part of your massage doesn’t feel right or is painful, speak up right away. Most serious problems come from too much pressure during massage.

In rare circumstances, massage can cause:

  • Internal bleeding
  • Nerve damage
  • Temporary paralysis
  • Allergic reactions to massage oils or lotions

What you can expect during a massage

You don’t need any special preparation for massage. Before a massage therapy session starts, your massage therapist should ask you about any symptoms, your medical history and what you’re hoping to get out of massage. Your massage therapist should explain the kind of massage and techniques he or she will use.

In a typical massage therapy session, you undress. Undress only to the point that you’re comfortable. You generally lie on a table and cover yourself with a sheet. You can also have a massage while sitting in a chair, fully clothed. Your massage therapist should perform an evaluation through touch to locate painful or tense areas and to determine how much pressure to apply.

If you want, your massage therapist may use oil or lotion to reduce friction on your skin. Tell your massage therapist if you might be allergic to any ingredients.

A massage session may last from 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of massage and how much time you have. No matter what kind of massage you choose, you should feel calm and relaxed during and after your massage. Pain that’s more significant than momentary discomfort could indicate that something is wrong. If a massage therapist is pushing too hard, ask for lighter pressure. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot. It’s likely to be uncomfortable while your massage therapist works it out. But if it becomes painful, speak up.

Finding a massage therapist

Massage can be performed by several types of health care professionals, such as a physical therapist, occupational therapist or massage therapist. Ask your doctor or someone else you trust for a recommendation. Most states regulate massage therapists through licensing, registration or certification requirements.

Don’t be afraid to ask a potential massage therapist such questions as:

  • Are you licensed, certified or registered?
  • What is your training and experience?
  • What’s the cost?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/massage/SA00082

The Power of Touch for Pain Relief: Basic Facts

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Article from: www.amtamassage.org

Massage is well known for reducing stress and promoting relaxation. And, a growing body of research also shows that massage therapy is effective for relieving and managing chronic and acute pain, a significant national health problem. According to the National Institute for Health, more than one-third of all Americans will suffer from chronic pain at some point in their lives, and approximately 14 percent of all employees take time off from work due to pain. Increasingly, massage therapists are being incorporated into pain management programs of hospitals and health care organizations. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has suggested massage therapy as one means to manage pain without use of pharmaceuticals.

According to a recent American Hospital Association survey about their use of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) therapies, among the 1,007 hospitals responding, nearly 82 percent of the hospitals offering CAM therapies included massage therapy among their health care offerings — with more than 70 percent utilizing massage therapy for pain management and relief. In a recent consumer survey commissioned by AMTA, 91 percent of respondents agreed that massage can be effective in reducing pain, and nearly half of those polled (47 percent) have had a massage specifically for the purpose of relieving pain.

Consider recent clinical research on the efficacy of massage for pain relief:

  • Massage therapy is more effective for chronic back pain than other complementary therapies.
  • Massage therapy promotes relaxation and alleviates the perception of pain and anxiety in cancer patients.
  • Massage therapy reduces post-traumatic headaches better than cold pack treatments.
  • A pilot study conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles found that massage, as part of hospital-based surgery treatment, reduces pain and muscle spasms in patients who have undergone heart bypass surgery.
  • Massage stimulates the brain to produce endorphins.

How does massage relieve pain?

  • A simple and direct strategy: working from the external, outer mechanisms of pain to the primary, root cause.
  • Focuses on the entire body system and its relationship to soft tissue – not solely on the site of pain.

Benefits of massage for pain relief

  • Helps patients become more aware of their bodies and the sources of pain.
  • Better familiarizes patients with the pain they experience.
  • Has an impact on the patient by virtue of human touch.
  • Improves confidence by encouraging patients to effectively cope with their pain.

-October 2003

Bodyworkers – we are needed now!

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Got this email this morning….I’m in for tomorrow in the least.  Will take it day to day.  See you out there!  Please contact Michelle directly to sign up, mimmik_tt@yahoo.ca

Hi – I saw your email addresses on the fire notice at the massage store on Broadway and wondered if any of you would be available anytime in the next several days to do volunteer massage at the Boulder Airport?

There are 2-3 makeshift rooms inside the main building we can use, and many pilots and firefighters who really need massage (most seem to need deep tissue/treatment massage rather than just Swedish), but at the moment it’s only me.

If you know of any other therapists who’d be interested, feel free to pass this on for them so they can contact me. I’m thinking we could probably accommodate 4-5 therapists at a time, and I’m sure they can round up enough people to keep us busy – they will try to rotate in the ground firefighters from the res if we can get enough therapists. We can do shifts as needed and as much as you are available – they are very happy with whatever we can give, and today I did ~20 min sessions that seemed to work ok.

If you’re game, let me know when you’re available – basically it can probably be anytime between ~8am and ~10pm, though I’ve recommended starting late a.m./midday so they don’t get a massage in the a.m. and then go out and strain themselves. It’ll for sure be Sat-Sun, probably Mon, possibly through Tues-Wed and a slight chance for longer than that.

The basics as of today:

-we have a large tub (gallon?) of Biotone lotion donated by Rick at the massage store on north Broadway – bring your own bottle to fill up and maybe some backup lotions in case we run out
-we might get some sheets and towels as donations, but don’t count on it (if you know of where we can get sheets/towels please go for it!)

-bring your own table, linens, chair, whatever you need to do your thing (mostly back, neck and shoulder stuff so far)
-bring your proof of Colorado registration (needed by the airport for insurance reasons) – we’ll make a copy of it for their records
-bring whatever food and drinks you need (there is at least one snack machine there)

They are great people, fun to work on and they need bodywork! Thanks if you can help out at all – please let me know as soon as you can if you are available, even if it’s for a couple of hours. You can try me at home after about 9a.m. at 720 328 1167, or mobile 720 771 6257 – I’ll return your call as soon as I can.  I’ll check email in the morning, but i may not have access after about 10a.m.

Thanks very much,
Michelle

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