Massage Shown to Reduce Prematurity, Low Birth Weight and Postpartum Depression

New research from the Touch Research Institute shows that pregnancy massage reduces prematurity, low birth weight and postpartum depression.  Pregnant women diagnosed with major depression received twice weekly massage. After 12 weeks of therapy they had reduced depression and continued in postpartum to have reduced depression and cortisol levels.  Their newborns were less likely to be born prematurely and of low birth weight, and they had lower cortisol levels and performed better on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment habituation, orientation and motor scales. (Infant Behavior and Development)

 Stress and the Benefits of Massage

Stress, we all feel it, but what do we do about it.  Research has shown that massage therapy is effective in reducing blood pressure, heart  rate,  depression, assessment of pain, and levels of anxiety. (Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,Psychological Bulletin 2004, Vol 130 No. 1, pp 3-18)

Increase Life Expectancy and Improve Quality of Life

 In the book You, The Owners Manual, Drs. Roizen & Oz state 5 adjustments you can make to your life to dramatically improve life expectancy and quality of life. These are: controlling your blood pressure, avoiding cigarettes, exercising 30 minutes per day, controlling stress,  and maintaining a healthy diet.  Of these massage can help with 2- helping to control your blood pressure and controlling stress.

Massage and Other Hands On Therapies Can Help Reduce Pain

As reported by Medical News Today, www.medicalnewstoday.com, Massage, manipulation and other hands-on approaches can safely and effectively help with pain management.  The January issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource discusses the uses and benefits of massage, spinal manipulation, and Rolfing, as well as the Alexander technique and the Feldenkrais method. Massage can help reduce pain, muscle soreness and swelling.  It can improve circulation, joint flexibility and range of motion.  Massage has been shown to help those with chronic back pain, migraines, knee osteoarthritis and cancer.

 These are but a few examples of how massage benefits our overall health.

Massage Shown to Relieve Headache

Headaches are a leading cause of pain and massage therapy helps relieve them.  About 78% of Americans experience a tension-type headache at some point in their lives, according to the National Headache Foundation.  New research shows the application of a single session of massage produces an immediate decrease in tension, anger status, and perceived pain in patients with chronic tension-type headache, and that the relief from a massage lasts at least one full day. (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics)

Massage for Chronic Neck Pain

As reported in Massage and Bodywork Magazine, massage treatments significantly reduce chronic neck pain, according to researchers at the University of Washington.  Sixty-four patients were split between two groups.  One received a self-care book; the second received up to 10 massages over 10 weeks.  Those receiving massage reported a 39 percent improvement on the neck disability index; 55 percent said their neck pain became less bothersome overall.  The results were published in The Clinical Journal of Pain.

Massage, Exercise Benefit Diabetes Patients

More than 23 million Americans suffer from diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. One effect of diabetes is its contribution to the development of peripheral arterial disease.  New research shows a 10-week combination of massage and exercise improves systolic and diastolic pressures in patients' lower extremities, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov. (The full study published in Medicina cl nica)

 What Clients Have to Say

"Twenty five years ago I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and given medication to try to keep it under control.  Sometimes that didn't even seem to help.  Three years ago I started yoga and year or so Thai Massages on a monthly basis.  The breathing  techniques have really helped my blood pressure and I have been off medication for a year with normal readings-even after the most stressful conditions." Mary B.-Dallas, TX