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Benefits of Massage Therapy for Relieving Sciatic Pain

brett September 29, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

Have you experienced shooting pain that seems to start in your back and travels down your leg to your foot?

This often excruciating pain may actually be sciatica, a symptom of irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. Massage therapy has long been used to effectively alleviate and prevent sciatic pain and discomfort.

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve starts at the lower back and branches to run down the buttocks and the backs of the legs. Sciatica may be experienced along the range of a dull ache to debilitating pain felt going from the back and down the back and/or outer side of the leg. The pain and discomfort of sciatica are usually felt on just one side of the body, but there are instances in which both sides are affected.

The condition may be made worse by prolonged sitting and certain movements. In its mild form, sciatica may clear up on its own within a few months, but there is always the possibility of it making an unexpected reappearance.

 Causes of Sciatica

Trauma from injuries (as in a car accident) is a common cause of sciatica. Other causes include:

  • nerve root irritation from a herniated lumbar disc often referred to as pinched nerve, ruptured disc or slipped disc.
  • a pinched nerve resulting from a small stress fracture causing one vertebra to slip forward onto another
  • natural aging processes such as degenerative disc disease and narrowing of the spinal column, both of which irritate the nerve roots
  • pregnancy, as the weight of the fetus presses on the sciatic nerve during sitting or during leg spasms
  • tumors impacting on the nerve roots

How Massage Can Help

It is important that the therapist works on all of the muscles that surround and are affected by the sciatic nerve. A massage that includes assisted stretching is very effective in relieving sciatic pain, since stretching helps to release the compression of the nerve roots.

The benefits of massage treatment include:

  • reduce lower back and leg pain
  • increase range of motion
  • ease anxiety and depression
  • improved sleep
  • better blood and lymph circulation which boosts the body’s natural healing ability
  • decreased requirements of over the counter pain medications

To maintain the benefits of massage therapy, it is advised that you follow a thorough stretching routine that helps to keep the muscles loose and relieves nerve compression. You can ask your therapist for advice on this along with how to use ice and heat to help alleviate the pain and keep it at bay.

Up to 40% of adults will suffer from sciatica at some point.  Much needed relief can be found in the services of a qualified massage therapist with experience in the specialized techniques used for treating sciatica.

Online Source: http://www.massageprocedures.com/health-benefits-of-massage/sciatica/

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Benefits of a Facial Massage

brett September 22, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

by PATTI KELLY Last Updated: Jan 22, 2014

Overview

The face is full of nerves and pleasure points, so it makes sense that a facial massage is a desirable form of pampering. Give yourself a facial massage or visit a professional. Whether you are looking for a quick midday pick-me-up or a soothing escape, the luxury of massage is easily justified by some of its more practical benefits.

Get in a Better Mood

Facial massage decreases anxiety and can improve a negative mood, according to a study conducted by the User Science Institute. Psychological tests administered after 45 minutes of facial massage showed significant improvements in both mood and anxiety levels, according to the 2008 study. A relaxing facial massage may be just what you need to reduce stress.

Prevent Wrinkles

Daily stress often results in tension buildup in the muscles. Foreheads furrow and lines form between the brows and along the lip line. Gentle, routine facial massage can help relax these tight and drawn muscles, decreasing the lines that they form. Massage combined with a hydrating moisturizer can also help minimize lines and dryness.

Curb Congestion

Therapeutic massage can help relieve allergy symptoms, such as sinus congestion. A buildup of mucus in the sinus areas can result in pressure, puffiness and headaches. Steam inhalation and gentle massage helps to mobilize secretions, improve drainage and relieve congestion. See a doctor if you have more serious sinus conditions, such as an infection.

Detoxify the Body

Massaging the face stimulates the lymphatic vessels and facilitates toxin elimination from the facial area. The lymphatic system plays a key role in health. Lymph is a clear fluid that removes toxins from the body. It’s filtered through the lymph nodes and moves into the bloodstream, where toxins can be eliminated. Muscle movement is needed to push lymph fluid through the body. A lack of movement can result in a sluggish lymphatic system and a buildup of toxins. Many lymph nodes are scattered throughout the facial area, especially along the edge of chin and jawline.

Online Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/95793-benefits-facial-massage/

Photo Credit: Woman getting facial massage Photo Credit targovcom/iStock/Getty Images

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Benefits Of Massage For Athletes

brett September 15, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

By KERRIE ANN FREY

Professional athletes and their coaches have sworn by massage therapy for years, going so far as to keep massage therapists on the payroll indefinitely. Until recently, there hasn’t been conclusive evidence that massage really does have a positive effect on athletes. However, thanks to new studies and some backing by reputable sources, the benefits of massage are being taken seriously. And those benefits are not just for the pros. They’re extended to anyone who participates in a regular exercise program.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), massage acts to improve performance, reduce pain, prevent injury, encourage focus and shorten recovery time. It basically involves two types of responses: a mechanical response as a result of the pressure and movement and a reflex response where the nerves respond to the stimulation of a massage.

Physiological Effects

You may not realize it, but massage affects the cardiovascular system. It dilates blood vessels, which helps them work more efficiently to promote circulation. The manual assistance of encouraging venous blood flow back to the heart enhances blood flow, which delivers fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissue and promotes the removal of waste products and toxins. Thanks to the relaxed state you’re in during and after the massage, your heart rate lowers.

More known and expected are the benefits of massage to the muscular system. One of them directly ties to the cardiovascular benefits. The increased and enhanced blood circulation helps to relieve muscle tension, reduce soreness and make for a faster recovery. Then, the relaxed muscles can experience “an increase in range of motion and flexibility,” as explained in a study in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. Both of those benefits can lead to better athletic performance.

The latest research conducted by scientists from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging at McMaster University in Ontario shows that massage reduces inflammation and promotes the growth of new mitochondria, the energy-producing units in the cells, following a bout of strenuous exercise. What does that mean? It means that massage can help pain relief, build muscles and encourage their recovery as well. Not only does massage feel good on the muscle tissues, it actually is good for them.

Psychological Effects

The sports massage study in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness points out that athleticism, particularly the athleticism required in competitive sports, doesn’t rely solely on physical strength. “Tactical maneuvering in cycling or an ability to focus on a task (e.g., gymnastics or golf) can also affect performance. Therefore, the psychological effect provided to an athlete by an experience such as massage may be of importance in a non-physiological manner.” These benefits include reducing stress and tension and anxiety while promoting relaxation by activating your parasympathetic nervous system. So you get an increase in dopamine and serotonin levels and a reduction in cortisol levels, which are directly linked to stress.

That relaxed, lowered-tension state encourages focus, a good thing to have before going into any sport, group exercise class or competition.

Types Of Massage For Athletes

As an exerciser or an athlete, you’ll benefit more from a deep tissue or sports massage than you will a spa soft-and-gentle-and-smelling-good massage. However, these types of massage may not always be comfortable.

A sports massage often involves a fast-paced massage, stretching and other approaches, depending upon the sport in which you participate. It can be tailored to be used as a pre-workout stretch and opportunity to warm up the muscles or used as a post-workout massage designed to reduce soreness and increase flexibility. Lead instructor at Delta College and licensed massage therapist Craig Simon uses different techniques for pre-event massage, intermediate massage (massage during the event that day) and post-event massage to get the muscles warmed up, stretched out, and spasm-free or for relaxation.

The deep tissue massage often is suggested by massage therapists because it works on particular issues you may have, applying heavier pressure on layers of muscles and other deep tissues. Don’t expect to be comfortable throughout this massage. It’s designed to get into knots and tension the muscles may be holding. But be prepared. With their attention to soft tissue aches and pains, either type of massage can leave you feeling sore.

When To Schedule A Massage

It’s important to note that therapists and research suggest that a massage here and there is nice, but won’t give you the same benefits as a regular massage program. Like exercise itself, your benefits are cumulative, meaning the more regularly you receive a massage, the more you’ll reap their advantages. Think of it as preventative maintenance. That being said, know that the benefits are often short-lived and part of the reason why it is a cumulative action. Massage therapist Paul Valentine recommends scheduling “once a week if possible or every other week if you’re training at a high level”. If getting a weekly or bi-weekly massage isn’t in the budget or you don’t have time, he suggests aiming for twice a month.

Remembering that you may leave a massage feeling as sore as you would after a tough workout, you’ll want to schedule pre-event (like a hard workout or a long run) or pre-race massages about three to five days before the actual event. In fact, if you can schedule it on a rest day, do so.

Post-event or post-race massages follow the same rule of thumb: wait three to five days afterwards in order for any lingering soreness to dissipate. “Post-event massage could carry over into the next day or within 72 hours of the event,” said Simon.

The lighter, spa-type of post-race massages either in the tent at the finish line or scheduled for the next day are different. Those lighter massages will simply encourage blood flow and help you to relax and should be taken advantage of if possible.

Pros and amateurs alike who are looking to improve their conditioning and performance, recover faster and with fewer, if any, injuries, should do some research into participating in a regular massage program. While the program may require some financial readjusting to stay within your budget, it seems to be worth the effort. And don’t forget the water! Craig Simon believes that no matter the type of massage or when you receive it, you need to drink half of an ounce of water per pound of body weight for that day. “This is a good formula to follow, even if you aren’t competing,” he said.

Be sure to seek out a licensed massage therapist who has the “LMT” after his or her name and the license number posted on any marketing materials or information. The best way to find a qualified therapist is by asking others who participate in your sport or activity. Word-of-mouth recommendations are excellent referrals usually.

Used as preventative maintenance or to address pain or to assist in recovery, massages can be an essential weapon in your training arsenal. They also help you to relax and feel physically and psychologically better, benefits that even the non-athlete would enjoy.

The AMTA states that research shows that in relation to exercise and athletic participation, massage can do the following:

Reduce muscle tension

Help athletes monitor muscle tone

Promote relaxation

Increase range of motion

Decrease muscle stiffness and soreness after exercise

Enhance athletic performance

Help prevent injuries when massage is received regularly

Online Source: http://www.healthfitnessmag.com/Health-Fitness-Magazine/February-2013/Benefits-Of-Massage-For-Athletes/

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Yoga, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy Help In Relieving Chronic Pain, Study Finds

brett September 8, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

BY ON

At least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Pain relief pills can help to a certain extent but primary care providers in the U.S. are wary of prescribing large doses of painkillers as it may lead to addiction.

A study found that yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy and other complementary healthcare approaches can help in managing serious and chronic pain. Americans spend more than $14 billion on such complementary healthcare approaches to manage such painful conditions.

The study published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings focused on five common pain conditions: back pain, osteoarthritis, neck pain, severe headaches and migraine, and fibromyalgia.

Researchers from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the National Institutes of Health examined 105 U.S.-based randomized controlled trials from 1966 to March 2016 and were relevant to patients in the U.S.

None of the trials reported any significant side effects as a result of employing complementary approaches in dealing with chronic pain.

The study showed promise in treating back pain with acupuncture and yoga, osteoarthritis of the knee with acupuncture and tai chi, neck pain with massage therapy and suggested the use of relaxation techniques in alleviating severe headaches and migraines.

“For many Americans who suffer from chronic pain, medications may not completely relieve pain and can produce unwanted side effects. As a result, many people may turn to nondrug approaches to help manage their pain,” Richard L Nahin, lead author of the study and NCCIH’s lead epidemiologist said in a statement.

“Our goal for this study was to provide relevant, high-quality information for primary care providers and for patients who suffer from chronic pain,” he added.

The researchers also found that massage therapy, spinal manipulation and osteopathic manipulation can provide some relief for patients suffering from back pain. Relaxation techniques and tai chi can help patients with fibromyalgia. However, evidence for these findings were weaker.

“These data can equip providers and patients with the information they need to have informed conversations regarding non-drug approaches for treatment of specific pain conditions,” deputy director of NCCIH David Shurtleff said. “It’s important that continued research explore how these approaches actually work and whether these findings apply broadly in diverse clinical settings and patient populations.”

Online Source: http://www.ibtimes.com/yoga-acupuncture-massage-therapy-help-relieving-chronic-pain-study-finds-2410563

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New Research Analysis Indicates Massage Therapy Shows Promise for Pain & Anxiety in Cancer Patients

brett September 1, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

EVANSTON, Ill., Aug. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ —

Based on the evidence, massage therapy shows promise for reducing pain intensity/severity, fatigue, and anxiety in cancer populations compared to the active comparators evaluated in a new systematic review.  This is the conclusion of a collaborative meta-analysis of research on massage therapy for pain conducted by Samueli Institute and commissioned by the Massage Therapy Foundation, with support from the American Massage Therapy Association.  This review and analysis is published in the August issue of the journal Pain Medicine.

The study concludes that patients should consider massage therapy as a therapeutic option to help manage their cancer pain.

Pain is the most common and debilitating symptom among cancer patients. While the exact prevalence of pain varies depending on the type and stage of cancer, research shows that pain generally affects over 50% of those undergoing cancer therapy and up to 90% with advanced cancer experience pain [1]. According to a 2007 meta-analysis, which pooled data from 52 studies, the prevalence of pain was found to be approximately 59% among patients undergoing active cancer treatment and over 50% across all cancer types, with the highest pooled prevalence of 70% among head/neck cancer patients [2]. These figures convey that cancer pain is perhaps not adequately addressed by the current healthcare system and underscore the significant challenges faced by treating oncologists and other medical professionals in the field of cancer pain management.

Cancer pain can range from mild to severe and from acute to chronic. Pain management can be challenging; not only can cancer pain be spontaneous, as in the case with the emergence of breakthrough pain [3] (i.e., sudden, transient exacerbation of pain intensity in patients with stable and controlled chronic pain) despite continued administration of analgesics [4], but it can also affect patients physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Patients often experience significant anxiety and depression [5,6], as well as insomnia, fatigue, weakness, and other complications that can exacerbate each other, impair normal daily activities, and negatively impact quality of life [7–9].

Specific factors surrounding the massage protocol, as well as selection of appropriate controls and standard outcomes, need to be well-understood before definitive clinical conclusions and recommendations regarding the usage and implementation of massage can be made for cancer pain at a policy level. However, this review’s promising results appear to warrant investment of time and resources into future research aimed at addressing these aforementioned gaps in order to ultimately consider massage therapy a standard treatment for cancer populations experiencing pain.

Pain is multi-dimensional and may be better addressed through an integrative approach. Massage therapy is commonly used among people seeking pain management and research has generally supported its use.  But, until now there has been no published, rigorous review of the available research and evidence for its efficacy for pain populations, especially for cancer populations.

This systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to rigorously assess the quality of massage therapy research and evidence for its efficacy in treating pain, function-related and health-related quality of life in cancer populations.  It is the second of a three-part series of articles which assessed research on massage therapy for various aspects of pain.

Samueli Institute is an independent, non-profit research organization dedicated to exploring the science of healing.  Seewww.SamueliInstitute.org.

The American Massage Therapy Association, the most respected name in massage therapy, is the largest non-profit, professional association serving the massage therapy profession. AMTA offers a free professional massage therapist locator service through its website at www.amtamassage.org.

The Massage Therapy Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity, with a mission to advance the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education, and community service.  See www.massagetherapyfoundation.org.

1. Lesage P, Portenoy RK. Trends in cancer pain management. Cancer Control 1999;6(2):136–45.Medline

2. van den Beuken-van Everdingen MH, de Rijke JM, Kessels AG, et al. Prevalence of pain in patients with cancer: A systematic review of the past 40 years. Ann Oncol 2007;18(9):1437–49.Abstract/FREE Full Text

3. Margarit C, Julia J, Lopez R, et al. Breakthrough cancer pain—Still a challenge. J Pain Res 2012;5:559–66.Medline

4. Smith H. A comprehensive review of rapid-onset opioids for breakthrough pain. CNS Drugs 2012;26(6):509–35.CrossRefMedlineWeb of Science

5. O’Mahony S, Goulet J, Kornblith A, et al. Desire for hastened death, cancer pain and depression: Report of a longitudinal observational study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2005;29(5):446–57.CrossRefMedlineWeb of Science

6. Archie P, Bruera E, Cohen L. Music-based interventions in palliative cancer care: A review of quantitative studies and neurobiological literature. Support Care Cancer 2013;21(9):2609–24.CrossRefMedline

7. Coleman EA, Goodwin JA, Coon SK, et al. Fatigue, sleep, pain, mood, and performance status in patients with multiple myeloma. Cancer Nurs 2011;34(3):219–27.CrossRefMedline

8. Dalal S, Hui D, Nguyen L, et al. Achievement of personalized pain goal in cancer patients referred to a supportive care clinic at a comprehensive cancer center. Cancer 2012;118(15):3869–77.CrossRefMedline

9. Reyes-Gibby CC, Wang J, Spitz M, et al. Genetic variations in interleukin-8 and interleukin-10 are associated with pain, depressed mood, and fatigue in lung cancer patients. J Pain Symptom Manage 2013;46(2):161–72.CrossRefMedlineWeb of Science

Online Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-analysis-indicates-massage-therapy-shows-promise-for-pain–anxiety-in-cancer-patients-300314735.html