So that’s the title of an article in ABMP’s latest Massage and Bodywork! A March study reaffirms that massage can provide lasting relief for chronic low-back pain. Study subjects received 10 massage sessions, and the therapists used their own treatment plan. Results were measured using questionnaires. More than half of the participants reported clinically meaningful improvement in their back pain, and several improved so much that their scores on a standard screening test dropped below the threshold for disability! Even after 3 months with no more massage therapy sessions, 75% of the subjects who reported initial improvement said they still felt better! The lead study author says the study included a diverse group of patients and reflected real-life health-care situations. The researchers conclude: “Results provide a meaningful signal of massage effect for primary care patients with chronic low back pain and call for further research in practice settings using pragmatic designs with control group.”
Massage Therapy’s Powerful Role in Easing Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Leslie DeMatteo, LMT, MS’s above-mentioned article, in Institute for Integrative Health Care’s 6/1/17 newsletter edition, was another great reminder! MS is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It manifests itself in different patterns of inflammation based on location and levels of scarring, demyelination, and axonal damage throughout the CNS. The immune system attacks myelin, a protective layer around nerve fibers. Massage has long been shown to reduce fatigue and pain, as well as to reduce swelling and inflammation throughout the body and muscle tissues. It’s also been shown to reduce pain, partly due to a decrease in stress and partly due to a decrease in tension of muscle tissue and an increase in joint mobility. Swedish massage increases circulation by physically moving blood and fluid throughout the body, bringing fresh, oxygenated blood to muscle tissues. Capillary (where gas exchange happens!) dilation occurs through light strokes. It also increases movement of lymphatic fluid, decreasing swelling and inflammation, which can also aid in occurrence of pressure sores! Lastly, it’s been shown to decrease spasticity by relaxing muscles and improving range of motion of muscles and joints. Extreme fatigue can be exacerbated by total relaxation of muscle tissue, so patient and therapist always need to keep that in mind. Even though deep pressure may feel good during the massage, the therapist must never actually use it because over the next couple of days, at least, the patient possible will be rendered incapacitated due to it!
Myofascial Techniques for the Deep Posterior Neck
Just took this very exciting, necessary, and complicated continuing-ed class! Certainly, most people will want or need or “should” have neck work done, and Til Luchau did always remind everyone to start slow and superficially when you work on someone’s neck; he taught The Nod Test and Posterior Wedge Technique!
Forty Winks
Greater Rochester Chiropractic’s latest newsletter (from reports and research from 2010, 2016, and earlier this year) talked of one of my favorite, healthful, beautiful things, sleep! They know, and relayed, that the minimum, in general, amount of sleep for us is 7 hours daily. A lesser amount will likely lead to insufficient physiological functioning. Sufficient rest enables our bodies to recover from daily stresses and strains and repair damaged cells and tissues. Over time, getting less sleep than we need results in muscle and joint stiffness and tension, otherwise unexplained aches and pains, impaired digestion with a wide range of symptoms, emotional irritability, and disordered cognitive function. Eight hours is great if you can get it, so they highly suggest discipline yourself to find, and keep, the rest that’s right for you!
That Which Fires Together Wires Together
Douglas Nelson’s article (still from ABMP’s Massage and Bodywork) was timely and informative! He said, “There is a saying in neuroscience: that which fires together wires together. Each time you contract your neck erectors while simultaneously firing your middle trapezius, your brain learns to link the two actions together.”. Very terribly fascinating and challenging for a therapist and patient and that much more wonderful when it happens for the patient!
Shouldering the Challenge of Suprascapular Neuropathy
Whitney Lowe’s article, in latest edition of ABMP’s Massage and Bodywork was incredibly informative! He reviewed the extremely complex anatomy and physiology of the shoulder joint and reiterated that nerves don’t like being stretched!!
For Back Pain, Physicians Say Try Massage Before Pills
..Title of Brandon Twyford’s article in ABMP’s latest edition of Massage and Bodywork. His research uncovered brand new guidelines from the American College of Physicians (ACP). They recommend exercise, yoga, or massage before medication for acute low-back pain! ACP’s president says that back pain that does not radiate down the legs or cause numbness usually goes away on its own. The guidelines suggest massage, heat wraps, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation. A PCP and associate professor at Harvard Medical School also relayed the new guidelines, since they move away from a quick, simple fix to involve lifestyle changes, as a needed change!
