the healing power of massage

Massage therapy to treat the body:

Massage therapy addresses a variety of health conditions, the most prevalent being stress-related tension. Massage has proven to be beneficial in treating cancer-related fatigue, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, lower back pain, immunity suppression, spinal cord injury, autism, post-operative care, age-related disorders, infertility, eating disorders, smoking cessation, and depression.

Massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Massage has many physiological effects, such as:

• Increasing circulation, which allows the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
• Stimulating the lymph system, the body's natural defense, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer.
• Relaxing and softening injured and overused muscles.
• Reducing muscle spasms and cramping.
• Increasing joint flexibility.
• Reducing recovery time for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent risk of muscle strain.
• Releasing endorphins, the body's natural painkiller. For this reason, massage is incorporated in treatment for chronic illnesses, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.
• Reducing post-operative adhesions and edema, as well as reduces and realigns scar tissue after healing has occurred.
• Improving range of motion and decreases discomfort for patients with lower back pain.
• Relieving pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.
• Contributing to shorter labor, helping to reduce tearing, as well as reducing the need for medication in pregnant women.

Massage therapy to treat the spirit:

Massage also provides another therapeutic component largely absent in today's world, which is touch. In 1986, the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami published groundbreaking research on the effects of touch on premature babies. The preterm babies who experienced physical contact through being held and soothed by the nurses showed 47% greater weight gain and a six-day shorter hospital stay than the infants who were not receiving physical contact from the nurses. Is this study evidence of what affectionate touch can do spiritually, or rather what massage can do on a physiological level? Regardless, babies are not the only benefactors.Many adults have reported stress-relieving experiences on the massage table. As a therapist carefully unwinds a client's stressed and tired muscles, the therapist may very well be unwinding the taut, pent-up emotions that one does not always have time to process in the middle of the day. As studies continue to reveal the link between kinesiology and physical and emotional health, the effects of massage will be further documented. However, one needs only to experience a good massage to know it is beneficial to the body and soul.

It is important to note that there are some conditions listed below for which massage is not recommended:

• Certain forms of cancer
• Phlebitis
• Some cardiac problems
• Some skin conditions
• Infectious diseases

In some cases, the practitioner may need a doctor's permission before providing services.

Source: www.abmp.com