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Study Shows Benefits of Massage Are Boosted by Frequent Sessions

A recent study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, and reported in the Emory News Center, which can be linked to here, has shown that the biological effects of massage therapy are boosted when multiple massage sessions are received. The effects of massage that have been studied previously are cumulative and sustained. The persistent effects can last from a few days to a few weeks, and are dependent on how many sessions a patient received.


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Valentine's Day: The Origins of the Holiday

So, some people may be wondering what the origins of the Valentine's Day holiday actually are. I mean, we all know that we exchange gifts of love, we get our loved one roses, chocolate, and massages, but does anyone really know why we do these things?

According to the wikipedia entry, the holiday of Valentine's Day was actually created in honor of several saints with the name of Valentine who were martyred in early Christendom. The stories of their martyrdom may have been confused with the stories of other saints who were also matryred in the same, or even in different, periods of time.

One of the saints with the name Valentine was imprisoned in Rome, and questioned by the Roman emperor of the time, Claudius II. The Roman emperor attempted to convert Saint Valentine to the religion of pagan worship practiced by the Romans. Naturally, this was unsuccessful, and Saint Valentine was executed. He was reported to have performed a miraculous healing on the daughter of his jailer, whose name was Julia. He is reported to have written her a note that was signed as "Your Valentine." After his death, his jailer Asterius and his entire household of forty four people believed in Jesus and were baptized.

This same Saint Valentine was reported to have have performed Christian weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry. According to these same legends, Saint Valentine was said to have cut heart shapes from red paper and given them to the Roman soldiers to remind them of their vows and of God's love. Saint Valentine is also said to have worn a purple amethyst ring engraved with an image of Cupid, since this symbol of love was allowable by the Roman government of the time.

Centuries later, many of these origins have long since been forgotten, but these great saints have become permanently associated with love and affection. Exchanging of gifts signifying love and affection still remains in our modern society, although in many cases the gifts have become more elaborate. Whereas in centuries past, lovers may have exchanged hand written notes and candy to show their love and affection, today lovers may exchange roses, chocolate, greeting cards, and spa or massage gift certificates. One of the more popular modern displays of love is to give your spouse or loved one a couples massage, where you both receive a massage together. Such a relaxing event is often the prelude to a romantic evening which may include an elaborate dinner prepared by a chef, a candlelit dinner, perhaps even taking in a movie either at home or at the theater, or even attending a Broadway show.

We welcome your comments below on what your idea of the perfect Valentine's Day might be. Do you have dinner out or in? Chocolates, flowers, candy, and cards? A movie at the local theater or in your home (Netflix or Amazon)? Let us know what are your favorite traditions, and we might use your contributions in a later blog :-)

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Massage Therapist as First-Line Health Advocate: Trained in Observing Signs of Pathology, Therapists Notice And Report Health Issues Before Anyone

Massage Therapists, whether employed in a spa setting, or working with a mobile company like ours, are an invaluable part of your health care team. Chances are, if you are a regular massage therapy client, you see the massage therapist more than your doctor. And of course, that's a good thing, indicative of even better things! As a result, your Massage Therapist may be the first health care professional to observe and report to you that something might be of issue.

Of course, a Massage Therapist is not a doctor, and isn't qualified to make diagnoses. If your therapist is doing this, it might be a good idea to start looking now for someone new, and quickly. Massage Therapist training includes a lengthy module on Pathology. This includes identifying all sorts of skin issues, from tinea to melanoma. And that's important, because a massage therapist, working on a client's back every two weeks, can easily be the only one in that person's life in a position to notice changes in a mole on a client's back.

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Lymph Drainage Massage To Boost Your Immunity This Winter

Lymph drainage massage therapy is one of the most widely studied and accepted forms of massage therapy. It is often recommended by doctors to their patients to help boost their immunity, as well as for cancer patients to help reduce surgical scarring in their lymph nodes.

Mobile lymph drainage massage therapy is provided in the home, and usually requires several treatments for the entire body. In many cases, especially where lymphedema is involved, the part of the body that is affected by the edema will be focused on first.

Since it is a slow and gentle form of massage, it will feel very different from other types of massage therapy that the recipient may be familiar with. There is no deep pressure involved, and in fact the amount of pressure used is on the scale of two to four grams. There are scientific reasons for this low pressure, having to do with the lymph channels that are close to the skin. When too much pressure is used, lymph drainage massage does not serve to move the lymph correctly.

The way in which mobile lymph drainage massage aids in increasing immune function, effectively boosting the immunity, is that it opens the channels of lymph flow. This allows waste products to be effectively removed from the lymph system by emptying into the appropriate ducts, to be removed from the body. When the waste products are removed, the sluggish immune system will become less sluggish, and will be cleaner, thus more able to remove more waste from the system.

When lymph is allowed to stagnate, especially where there is lymphedema that is an indication of waste accumulation. Just as a car’s engine will not perform properly when there is waste in the system, so the human body does not perform properly when waste does not exit the system. Similar to an oil change, lymph drainage mobile massage can help to move the waste out of the body, creating a better internal environment.

This internal environment is then more able to handle the new toxins, bacteria, and viruses that never stop entering the body from the environment. A clean lymph system will be more able to fight infection as well, since the lymph nodes are the accumulation points where bacteria and viruses are trapped while the white blood cells work to neutralize and consume them.

Lymph drainage mobile massage is an excellent way to boost your immunity during this winter season. To learn more about lymph drainage mobile massage, or to book an appointment, please visit our website by clicking here.

Pre-Natal Massage As A Preparation For Labor

In today’s society, many women and men have very tight hips and thighs, especially their inner thighs and pelvic floor area. When a woman becomes pregnant, having a relaxed and loose pelvis, hip, and thigh area is very important because that is the area where the baby will be trying to push through during birth. If this area is tight, that can cause tearing in the muscles of the pelvic floor, which can lead to long term problems later in life, especially incontinence and painful urination.

The tearing that this can cause can be either forward or back from the birth canal, so it can affect either the urethra or the cecum of the colon. Since scientific studies have shown that a natural birth is healthier that a cesarean section for both the mother and child, having a natural birth is desirable. Since a pre-natal massage can help with the issues discussed above, the healthier and more desirable natural birth can be accomplished with minimal or no tearing of the pelvic floor muscles, and consequently fewer problems later in life.

Certified pre-natal massage therapists have been trained in methods that can be used to loosen the muscles of the pelvic floor in preparation for birth, and in conjunction with pre-natal yoga, can be very helpful in preventing tearing during birth. Massage of the pelvic floor muscles that are attached to the sit bones, as well as abdominal massage, and massage of the inguinal ligament, can help the pregnant woman in her preparation for a healthy birth as the natural follow up to a healthy pregnancy. Pre-natal yoga can help as well to extend the beneficial effects of the pre-natal massage therapy, by keeping the loosened muscles loose.

Because of these additional benefits that are offered by certified pre-natal massage therapists, it is very important that the massage therapist chosen is certified in pre- and post-natal massage. For more information about pre and post natal massage therapy, or to book an appointment, please click here.

Holiday Massage Gift Certificates Make A Thoughtful Gift

Massage therapy has long been recognized as being valuable for relieving stress, but it is only now becoming apparent how very valuable that actually is. Stress causes all kinds of disorders, from high blood pressure to migraine headaches, along with depressed immunity, frequent colds, and the flu. Massage therapy can help to address these conditions at their core, by reducing stress, as well as boosting immune cells and lowering blood pressure.

Perhaps you are seeking a unique and individual gift for your loved one this holiday season. The promise of stress relief offered by massage, and especially mobile massage, will bring a smile to anyone’s face. Imagine the joy and surprise when your loved one learns that not only do they get some well-earned relaxation, they also don’t have to travel anywhere to receive it. Their massage is given right in their own home, where they are most comfortable, most familiar, and perhaps most importantly, most able to relax.

Relaxation is an invaluable and quite rare in today’s fast paced world of 48 hour or longer work weeks, along with taking the kids to soccer practice, karate, and all sorts of other activities. Show your loved one that you truly care about their well being this holiday season by giving them the gift of relaxation: a mobile massage gift certificate.

For more information, or to purchase massage gift certificates for your loved one, please click here.

Pre-Natal Massage: An Under-Utilized Form of Help For The Future Mom

Pre-natal massage is a seriously under-utilized and misunderstood modality that most pregnant women are not aware of as an excellent form of preparation for their impending motherhood. Massage therapy has been shown to have numerous benefits for pregnant women.

One of the most important benefits of pre-natal massage is its helpfulness in preparing the body for the actual act of birth. By relaxing the muscles involved in childbirth, it can help to make the process of birthing slightly less painful, and it can also help reduce the trauma of labor on the new mother’s body, especially when employed during labor. Some of the more common muscles which can be hurt by the process of labor are the quadratus lumborum, the iliopsoas, and the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Certain techniques of pre-natal massage can help to prepare the pelvic floor for the process of birth, and these techniques are used in the last trimester or pregnancy. Other techniques can be used throughout the process of pregnancy to alleviate the muscular tensions created by the baby being formed within the pregnant woman.

Some of the most useful benefits of pre-natal massage are the techniques that can be taught to the pregnant woman’s partner, as well as postural lessons and teaching helpful breathing techniques to alleviate the anxiety that can occur when the baby starts to press on the lower ribs and take up some of the space normally reserved for the mother’s lungs. Suddenly being unable to breathe fully, where you had been previously able to take a complete deep breath from the front of the body, can cause unnecessary anxiety in the new mom.

Another benefit to pre-natal massage is the stimulation of the lactation hormone, oxytocin. This hormone promotes lactation, and also helps with the birthing process, as it stimulates uterine contractions when the baby is ready to be born. Massage therapy has been shown in some studies to promote the production of this important hormone.

Of course, one of the most understood forms of massage is post-natal massage, which is sought because of the extreme amounts of tension that the new mother is experiencing from the act of birthing along with the strain of having the weight of the baby pulling on her back. However, new moms should know that some of these tensions can be prevented through regular pre-natal massage before the birth of the baby.

Pregnant women can benefit from pre-natal massage in many ways. If you are pregnant and thinking about receiving a pre-natal massage, please visit our pregnancy massage webpage by clicking here.

Massage Increases Immune Cells and Reduces Anxiety in Breast Cancer Patients

Massage therapy has been shown to have numerous beneficial effects on people suffering from cancer. From alleviating anxiety, pain, anger, and depressed mood, to more definable immune effects, massage therapy is an excellent adjunct care method for those suffering from cancer.

Several studies have demonstrated that individuals suffering from certain types of cancer including breast, lung, and stomach cancer, patients who were given massage therapy had a lower amount of nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy treatments. Additionally, these same patients reported have lowered anxiety, physical discomfort, fatigue, and mood disturbance when tested against a control group that did not receive massage.

Perhaps even more importantly than the outcomes mentioned above are the effects noted on cancer patients with regard to their Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. In two separate studies, one reported in Autonomic Neuroscience, and another reported in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, (see references at the end of the article), massage therapy had a positive effect on Natural Killer cell activity.

Natural Killer cell activity can often deteriorate during radiation and chemotherapy, which has a negative effect on the body’s own ability to fight off infection. Oftentimes, people being treated with radiation and chemo will contract secondary infections in addition to the cancer, further complicating their medical treatment.

In the study reported in Autonomic Neuroscience in 2009, “massage decreased the deterioration of natural killer cell activity occurring during radiation therapy…” Since radiation therapy is so damaging to the body’s immunity, the fact that massage therapy can help to counter that negative effect is very important news for those undergoing this type of treatment.

In the study reported in Journal of Psychosomatic Research, a group of women with Stage 1 or 2 breast cancer were treated with massage or a control group receiving no massage therapy. At the end of the study, a subset of the women had their blood drawn to measure their immune system. The women had increased Natural Killer cell activity versus the control group after the massage intervention. Since cancer is a disease that has negative effects on overall immunity, and the treatments provided also decrease immunity while they are active, massage therapy shows promise as an adjunct treatment to help with these specific issues.

In conclusion, it appears from these and other studies published in the scientific literature that most cancer patients, whether in active treatment or just diagnosed with cancer, can benefit from massage therapy. To view more studies about massage therapy with regard to various conditions, please visit our studies page by clicking here. For information on booking a massage therapy appointment, or for our long term massage care packages for your loved one, please visit our website by clicking here.

References:

The effect of massage on immune function and stress in women with breast cancer--a randomized controlled trial; Billhult A, Lindholm C, Gunnarsson R, Stener-Victorin E. Auton Neurosci. 2009 Oct 5;150(1-2)


Breast cancer patients have improved immune and neuroendocrine functions following massage therapy; Hernandez-Reif M, Ironson G, Field T, Hurley J, Katz G, Diego M, Weiss S, Fletcher MA, Schanberg S, Kuhn C, Burman I. J Psychosom Res. 2004 Jul;57(1):45-52.

Post Natal Massage For Healthy Mother and Baby Bonding

Post natal massage therapy has been recognized as an essential part of post-partum care in cultures around the world. In India, the mother and baby are secluded for a period of 40 days, with the mother receiving massage therapy and giving her baby regular massages throughout the day.

Oxytocin is a hormone that has been shown to facilitate the bonding between a mother and her baby, in addition to the widely known effects of increasing breast milk production and making feeding easier for the infant. A recent controlled clinical trial performed at UCLA determined that massage therapy, in contrast to a control group, was able to increase levels of oxytocin in a person’s bloodstream.

This is great news for first time mothers especially, but also for all mothers in general. Very often, first time mothers have a hard time producing enough milk for their infant, and are forced to seek out formula rather than underfeed. Since this hormone is known for increasing milk production, it makes perfect sense that other cultures have appreciated the effects of post-partum massage therapy.

An article published on parenting.com strongly suggests infant massage by their mothers are further facilitating the bonding between the mother and baby. Simple infant massage techniques can be taught to new mothers by massage therapists or by books readily available online and in bookstores. Massage therapy’s stimulation of oxytocin production in the infant and the new mother has also been shown to help the new mother and baby bond.

For more information about post-natal massage and how it can benefit you and your baby, please visit our post-partum massage page by clicking here.

Post Natal Massage to Address Common Complaints Following Pregnancy

Post Natal Massage is recognized as beneficial in many cultures around the world. In countries such as India and China, post natal massage is a normal part of after birth adjunctive medical care. Most women who live in India have two or more massage therapy sessions a week for several weeks after the birth of their baby. The reasons for this are two fold.

First, there are many areas of tension and soreness that were caused by carrying the baby, and then by pushing during labor. Muscles that are most affected by the pushing include the quadratus lumborum, which is on the side of the body, and the lower abdominal muscles. The muscles of the lower back and hips are also affected, although they are primarily made sore by the pregnancy itself.

Post natal massage therapy is quite effective in addressing these common concerns after pregnancy, especially the very common muscle soreness that develops during pregnancy and labor. Other areas of tension and soreness that are often present are in the hip area, especially the gluteus maximus, minimus, and piriformis muscles. Piriformis syndrome can also develop after delivery as well as before, and can be addressed by deep tissue post natal massage.

Another common complaint for post natal women are the issues that occur from nursing. When nursing, the new mother holds her newborn up on one side of the body, and cranes her neck to see her baby to assist with bonding. This position causes tension in the side of the neck and in the shoulder area, especially the top of the shoulders such as the trapezius.

Post natal massage therapy is very effective in addressing all of these muscular related tensions and other issues caused by pregnancy, labor, and nursing. It is most beneficial to find a therapist certified in pre and post natal massage, since there are a number of issues specific to pregnancy that continue for several months after the baby is delivered. If a massage therapist is not experienced in post natal massage, they can unintentionally cause harm to the new mother.

For more information, or to schedule a session of post natal massage, please visit our pregnancy massage page at postnatal-massage.njmassage.info by clicking here.

Craniosacral Therapy and Massage For Migraine Headaches

People who suffer from migraine headaches can tell you that a migraine is one of the most painful conditions they have ever experienced. Due to the nature of a migraine, the pain is inescapable. The head is pounding, there may be visual disturbances and nausea, and all that one can do when in the midst of a migraine headache is sit or lie still and hope to fall asleep. There are alternatives available, including massage therapy and craniosacral therapy that can help with migraines.

Several recent studies have demonstrated that both massage therapy and CranioSacral Therapy can have beneficial effects on those who suffer from migraines. A study published in Annual Behavior and Medicine demonstrated that based on heart rate, state anxiety, and cortisol levels which were tested before and after massage therapy interventions, massage demonstrated beneficial effects for sufferers of migraine headaches.

A study on CranioSacral Therapy and migraines was published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. The study asked participants to receive CranioSacral treatments as treatment for their migraines. All study participants suffered from migraines a certain number of times a week. Questionnaires that were provided to participants demonstrated that the severity and frequency of migraines were reduced following treatment.

These studies listed above can be found on our studies page by clicking here. These studies should provide hope that there is help for those who suffer from migraine headaches. While the treatment methods used were not a cure for migraines, they did provide some relief.

A review study published in the Journal of Headache Pain compared the results of manual therapies with the available and commonly prescribed medications for migraine headaches, and found that manual therapies were as effective as the pharmacological interventions. This is also promising news for those suffering from migraines, as there are many individuals for whom side effects of the drugs prescribed for migraines can be as debilitating as the migraine itself.

If you are interested in learning more about craniosacral therapy, or to book a session, please visit our website by clicking here.

Massage Therapy for Post Surgical Recovery

Massage therapy has been shown to have some benefits to patients going in for surgery, as well as for those patients recovering from surgeries. Massage has shown promise for use as an adjunctive therapy for the surgical floor of hospitals and outpatient medical centers.

A study published in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery demonstrated a benefit to patients who received a hand massage before going in for a cataract surgery procedure. Patients who received the massage had reduced levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine, where the control group had increased levels of cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. The study concluded that hand massage before cataract surgery decreased psychological and physiological anxiety levels.

Another study published in Lik Sprava, a Ukrainian publication, in 2002, demonstrated that neck massage on patients who had undergone thyroid surgery had a beneficial effect on their recovery. In 85% of patients, the skin tone of the surgical area improved, the cutaneous and muscle tone of the surgical area was improved, and 48% of patients in the study had reduced edema and swelling of the tissues involved in the surgical procedure. The patients were also able to reduce their doses of hormone medications.

Many people today are having many different types of surgeries. The medical technology is increasing at an ever faster rate, so that many new procedures are being devised every day. From simple cataract surgery to correct vision problems, to major spinal and open heart surgeries, many people are in need of help with their post surgical recovery. Considering the studies above would lead one to believe that massage therapy can help with post surgical recovery for many different types of surgery. This would be a correct assumption, since massage has been shown to have numerous beneficial effects on those who are healthy, as well as on those who are suffering from various conditions or who have had surgery.

If you are interested in learning more about mobile massage therapy, please visit our website by clicking here. If you would like to view our studies pate, with links to many studies on a variety of health conditions that can benefit from massage therapy, please click here.

Please see the studies page, and click on "Massage For Surgery" to view the studies referenced in this article.

Kids Massage At Home For Children Experiencing Health Issues

Many people think that children can’t really benefit from massage. It is believed that kids don’t suffer from stress, or other health issues that can benefit from massage. However, there are many common issues that children can experience which may benefit from massage therapy.

One very common condition that infants and toddlers experience is colic. This is an issue with unknown causes which makes children cry for more than three hours per day and more than three days per week. Massage therapy has been shown to have some beneficial effects of infant colic. See our studies page for more details on massage and colic.

Another condition that children often suffer from that has been shown to benefit from massage therapy is anxiety. A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology in 1999 showed that children suffering from anxiety caused by their condition of cystic fibrosis had improved mood and sleep after massage therapy, as well as less anxiety caused by their condition.

Another study regarding anxiety and depression with regard to children who had depression and adjustment disorder showed that giving the children a 30 minute back massage every day for a five day period had reduced levels of anxiety and depression. The self reported findings were also correlated with nurse reports and salivary cortisol level tests. Nighttime sleep for these patients also increased during the time of the study.

One uncommon complaint of infants and children are migraines and headaches. Some children have constant migraines and headaches, and although it is rare, this is a condition that can be successfully helped without drugs or surgery with massage therapy. A study published in Annual Behavior and Medicine in 2006 showed positive benefits for people suffering from migraines who were given frequent massages. Another study published in the Journal of Headache Pain in 2011 showed that massage therapy, as well as chiropractic spinal manipulation, physiotherapy, and relaxation were as effective as two of the most commonly prescribed drug therapies for migraine. The results of these studies are promising for individuals seeking a non-pharmacologic treatment for migraines, especially with regard to children who may be too young to take the prescription medications.

Craniosacral therapy has also demonstrated effectiveness on migraines sufferers, in many cases causing alleviation of migraine symptoms for one month or more from a single treatment. Since craniosacral therapy helps to gently move the bones of the spine, particularly those of the occiput and sacrum, it is likely that some migraines may be caused by incorrectly aligned spinal bones. The results of these studies are very promising to those suffering from migraines, especially small children.

These studies explored above show that massage therapy can have very beneficial effects on children suffering from certain medical conditions. While this is the case, ordinary children who do not currently suffer from any medical conditions can also benefit from massage therapy, both as a preventative measure and as a way to alleviate stress and tension caused by everyday living, including schoolwork and other obligations.

If you are interested in learning more about pediatric massage therapy, please check out our website by clicking here.

CranioSacral Therapy: A Positive Therapeutic Approach to Pain Management

Craniosacral therapy is a relatively new therapy, in that it has been around much less than a hundred years, being developed in the seventies by Dr. Upledger. Utilizing small amounts of force and pressure, measured in grams, osteopathic manipulation is performed. Craniosacral therapy is built on the principles of osteopathic medicine, and specifically the work of Dr. Sutherland in the 1930s.

Using the craniosacral rhythm of the body, which is the circulation of the craniosacral fluid around the brain and spinal cord, assessments are made of the bones of the cranium and pelvis. Light pressure techniques, sometimes called releases, are performed to certain bones of the cranium and pelvic.

Very often, patients receiving craniosacral therapy are surprised by the relief of symptoms in one area which have been affected by therapy to a very different and sometimes distant area. For example, there have been patients suffering from TMJ or migraine headaches who experience an alleviation of pain symptoms after therapy at the sacrum and pelvis. Some of the principles of craniosacral work are that the body system is connected, and that often times, pain in one area can be what is known as referred pain, coming from an entirely different area.

While there are not very many studies on the effects of craniosacral therapy, the few randomized clinical trials that do exist have shown positive effects on pain in patients who received it. For example, one study published in Clinical Rehabilitation in 2011 concluded that craniosacral therapy “improved medium-term pain symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia.” Anyone who knows someone with fibromyalgia will understand that it is a very difficult disorder to treat. When someone has this disorder, they are in widespread generalized pain all of the time. Craniosacral therapy can be used as an excellent adjunct to standard medical care for these patients.

Another study published in Complimentary Therapies in Clinical Practice concluded that craniosacral therapy can help to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches. Considering the debilitating nature of migraines, this is very promising to those suffering from migraines.

These are only two of the available studies on CranioSacral Therapy, both of which had positive findings for pain relief. Further research into the effects of craniosacral therapy are certainly warranted. If you are interested in learning more about CranioSacral Therapy, or in booking a session, please visit our website by clicking here.

Mobile Hot Stone Therapy: An Ancient Technique for Modern Relaxation

Hot stones have been used in the healing practices of many diverse cultures. They have been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, as well as in Anma, one of the oldest Asian healing modalities.

In Anma, the hot stones were placed upon the body on the energy points, which are also known as tsubos. The hot stones are placed upon these points to stimulate them and release their energy, in much the same way as using moxibustion in shiatsu or anma. Hot stones have been used in China since ancient times. The heat of the stones, through stimulation of the tsubos, also helps the internal organs to function properly. ‘

There have been many other uses for hot stone massage over the centuries. Native American cultures as well as other indigenous cultures have used hot stones for various purposes. The stones are used in sweat lodges to adjust the temperature, and in Hawaii, healers have used hot stones in much the same way that they are used today. The stones were also wrapped in leaves from the castor plant to increase the healing power of both the stones and the leaves. The healing aromatic oils from the castor plant were released by the heat from the stones, to encourage deeper penetration and more thorough healing effects.

There are other cultures that have used hot stone therapy as a means to effect healing and to stimulate and relax the body. Suffice it to say that hot stone therapy has a long tradition of healing and relaxation among human cultures.

Mountainside On Site Massage Therapy is now offering mobile hot stone massage therapy. Our hot stone page will be up soon, but for more information on booking an appointment for hot stone massage, please click here.

Massage and Anxiety: Managing Anxiety and Dealing Better With Life

Many people today suffer from anxiety in one form or another. Sometimes it is a temporary anxiety, where they are anxious about a certain deadline that will pass, or a stressful situation at work. In rarer cases, they are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder that affects their life in a more extreme way, making it hard to function and deal with others socially.



The type of anxiety that has been most studied is the type that is temporary or recurring, but is not a chronic condition requiring a diagnosis and treatment. With temporary anxiety, such as the kind engendered by a working environment, massage therapy has been shown to help significantly. In many of the studies, not only was self reported anxiety diminished, but also salivary cortisol levels were reduced, where cortisol is the stress hormone.

This is good news for people who work in high stress environments, most especially nurses and other healthcare providers who work long hours with few breaks and for many days at a time. Another small study done by the Touch Research Institute showed that massage therapy enhances alertness and brain power, as demonstrated by improved scores on math computation tests. The same study also showed that people given the massages had less anxiety, both self reported and measured by cortisol levels.

With regard to the second type of anxiety, which is more long term and can be debilitating, several studies were done on psychiatric patients who received massage therapy. These patients suffered from anxiety, depression, hostility, and lack of sleep. The results showed that even these individuals benefited from massage therapy. They had less anxiety and depression, as well as better sleep at night. Their hostility and aggression were also significantly reduced, prompting the researchers to state that “massage… may be a useful de-escalating tool for reducing stress and anxiety in acutely hospitalized psychiatric patients.”

When it comes to dealing with life and the stresses produced by it, it seems that massage therapy has been shown to be very helpful. Stress, anxiety, tension, depression, and aggression have all been studies with regard to massage, and the results are promising. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of massage therapy, please click here. If you are interested in having your own session of massage therapy at your location, please click here.

Mobile Massage For Fibromyalgia Sufferers

Individuals suffering from fibromyalgia have a very difficult time functioning in this world. The excessive amounts of pain that they feel, along with a brain fog from the pain, can make it very difficult to function normally. Intense widespread pain in the body, as well as fatigue and sleeping difficulties, are common for fibromyalgia sufferers.

Although this disorder does not have a known cause, there are many things that can help a person with it. Massage therapy has been shown in studies to improve the amount and quality of sleep that people can have with this disorder. Also, levels of stress hormones were reduced, and anxiety and depression were also reduced among patients.

Fibromyalgia can be a torturous disorder for some, and it is not surprising that it leads to greater levels of anxiety and depression. The inability to function can be very frustrating, as the body is unable to do what the mind want it to do. Instead, people often find that they need to just lay in bed all day. Thus, this is a population that would be prone to depression and anxiety, especially because there is no cure and many of the treatments are only marginally effective.

Based upon the studies of massage with fibromyalgia, it would also appear that the pain causing substance, known as Substance P, can also be reduced in people who receive massage therapy. Since many people with fibromyalgia find ordinary activities draining, including walking and driving, having a mobile massage at their home would probably be best for people in this population.

If you have fibromyalgia or care for someone who does, please click here to find more information about having a session of mobile massage. To find the studies referenced above, please click here.

References:

J Clin Rheumatol. 2002 Apr;8(2):72-6. Fibromyalgia pain and substance P decrease and sleep improves after massage therapy. Field T, Diego M, Cullen C, Hernandez-Reif M, Sunshine W, Douglas S.

J Dermatol Sci. 2000 Feb;22(2):138-44. Firm stroking of human skin leads to vasodilatation possibly due to the release of substance P. Morhenn VB.

J Clin Rheumatol. 1996 Feb;2(1):18-22. Fibromyalgia benefits from massage therapy and transcutaneous electrical stimulation. Sunshine W, Field TM, Quintino O, Fierro K, Kuhn C, Burman I, Schanberg S.

Mobile and Chair Massage for the Elderly and Infirm

Perhaps you have never considered providing mobile massage for your elderly patients or those you give care to. It is actually a very worthwhile consideration for many reasons.

(Photo from YODCOX! on flickr)

First of all, elderly patients, especially those in assisted living and nursing home facilities, tend to be very lonely. They may go for many days or weeks without being touched in a meaningful way, either by loved ones or by the nursing staff. At most nursing homes or assisted living facilities, nurses provide the care necessary for their elderly patients, but that more often than not does not include touch of any kind.

Touch can include hugging the person, holding them around the shoulders, and other gentle types of touch. Consequently, the loneliness that many of the elderly already feel can be intensified by the fact that they are not ever touched. Mobile therapeutic massage can provide that kind of meaningful and therapeutic touch that we as humans all crave.

(Photo from quinn.anya on flickr)

As an example of the need for touch, there is a now famous study using rhesus monkeys who never received touch from anyone, compared to a control group that was given normal touch and care by their mothers or handlers. The monkeys who were not touched exhibited aggressiveness, anger, rage, and other abnormal social behaviors. This study, as well as others that have been done in recent years, have shown that touch is essential to mental and physical health in humans.

Second, many elderly patients experience pain of varying types and intensities. Many of them have tense shoulders, arms, and hands, which can lead to thoracic outlet syndrome and other conditions. They may have tension and pain in their lower backs, which is one of the most common types of pain that people experience. Mobile massage can help with both of these conditions, as well as many others. Many elderly patients suffer from pain and numbness in their extremities, which when left untreated, can become debilitating.

Third, and perhaps the most important, many elderly patients are homebound. That means they cannot travel to the spa or to a chiropractors office to get a massage. These people, perhaps more than any other population, would benefit a great deal from having mobile massage at their nursing home or assisted living facility.

There are many other benefits from massage therapy aside from pain relief, many of which can be found on our massage benefits page, by clicking here. If you are interested in scheduling a mobile massage session, you may visit our website by clicking here.