Category Archives: massage therapy
Traditional Thai knead is an antediluvian form of bodywork that has been practiced since the time of the historical Buddha – more than 2500 years.
It was a personal friend of the Buddha with the name of Jivaka Khumar Bhacca that developed the system of Thai massage in India.
Dr. Jivaka was a famous doctor astatine the time who had an interesting life story. He was an orphant and studied medicative plants for many years.
Later in life he became the private doctor of a powerful king in the region of India.
He also massaged members of the original Buddhist community, the first “Sangha”. In fact, helium has even been mentioned in the Tipitaka writings.
It was through buddhistic monks that the art of Thai knead then found it’s way to Thailand. Specially hera monks practiced and developed this unique form of bodywork for centuries.
They used Thai knead to heal laypeople, and to deepen their meditative practices.
After they spend many hours without movement in deep speculation their bodies were naturally tired and stiff – Thai knead helped them to regain their flexibility fast.
Two kinds of Thai knead emerges throughout the millennia – the rural style and the royal style.
The rural style is the one that has lots of animist elements involved, and magic. Thai shamans practiced it and midwives.
The royal style was a much more scholarly style that was practiced in the palace of the King of Siam. It was also more polite, for example the massage therapist would not utilize his feet to massage a person of royal decree but only the thumbs.
Nowadays it is a sad reality that oftentimes prostitutes and brothels refer to their services as “Thai massage” – but it is important to make the distinction that Thai massage has nothing to do with titillating massage. This is much more a development of recent times and can in large part be accredited to the presence of soldiers during the Vietnam war in Pattaya.
Massage: Overview
Massage therapy is the systematized manipulation of soft tissues for the purpose of normalizing them. The word massage is derived from the Greek word ‘massier’ which means to knead. If correctly done on a bare body, it can be highly stimulating and invigorating. The term ‘bodywork’ is often used to refer to therapies that are combined or confused with massage, e.g. Shiatsu, Trager, Rolfing, Polarity and Reflexology.
Start The Analyst
Please note that it is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common symptoms: if you treat yourself for the wrong illness or a specific symptom of a complex disease, you may delay legitimate treatment of a serious underlying problem. In other words, the greatest danger in self-treatment may be self-diagnosis. If you do not know what you really have, you can not treat it! Knowing how difficult it is to weed out misinformation and piece together countless facts in order to see the “big picture”, we now provide simple online access to The Analyst™. Used by doctors and patients alike, The Analyst™ is a computerized diagnostic tool that sits on a vast accumulation of knowledge and research. By combining thousands of connections between signs, symptoms, risk factors, conditions and treatments,
The Analyst™ will help to build an accurate picture of your current health status, the risks you are running and courses of action (including appropriate lab testing) that should be considered. Many people find a massage beneficial enough to have one on a regular basis, scheduling them as frequently as needed or as often as finances will allow. History Massage has been used for thousands of years as a treatment for many ailments. Function; Reasons For Use The basic goal of massage therapy is to help the body heal itself and to increase health and well-being. Based on anecdotal data, massage therapists have said for years that massage relaxes people, reduces blood pressure and heart rate, relaxes muscles, increases range of motion, and increases the flow of blood and lymph, thereby cleansing the system. Therapeutic massage can be used to promote general well-being, enhance self-esteem and help restore a sense of body awareness – important for realizing when you are becoming tense and where you tend to hold your tension. Practitioners use a variety of physical methods including stroking, rubbing, kneading, percussion and vibration. Therapists primarily use their hands, but may also use their forearms, elbows or feet. A general body massage may last for 40-90 minutes and local body massages for 10-15 minutes. A little moderate kneading and percussion cause muscles to contract and become stronger. Deep circular kneading and vibration loosens the muscles. Kneading under and round the muscles can help break up adhesions. Practitioners generally treat the whole body, using oil to help their hands move over the patient’s body.
The ten most popular types of Massage Therapy are: Swedish Massage Therapy. The most common type, also known simply as Swedish massage or simply massage therapy. Massage therapists use long, smooth strokes, kneading, and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil. This is a good one to try first, if you have never had a massage before.
Aromatherapy Massage. This is massage therapy with the addition of one or more scneted plant oils called essential oils, to address specific needs. The oils may be, for example, relaxing, energizing, stress-reducing, balancing. One of the most common oils used is lavender. Aromatherapy massage is most suited to stress-related conditions or conditions with an emotional component.
Hot Stone Massage. Heated, smooth stones are placed on certain points of the body to warm and loosen tight muscles and balance energy centers in the body. The massage therapist may also hold stones and apply gentle pressure with them. Hot stone massage is good for people who have muscle tension but prefer lighter massage.
Deep Tissue Massage. This targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. The massage therapist uses slower strokes or friction techniques across the grain of the muscle. Deep tissue massage is used for chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or recovery from injury. People often feel sore for one or two days after deep tissue massage.
Shiatsu. A form of Japanese bodywork that uses localized finger pressure in a rhythmic sequence on acupuncture meridians. Each point is held for 2-8 seconds to improve the flow of energy and help regain balance. There is usually no soreness afterwards.
Thai Massage. Like Shiatsu, Thai massage aligns the energies of the body by using gentle pressure on specific points. Thai massage also includes compressions and stretches. Instead of just lying on a massage table, the therapist moves and stretches you into a sequence of postures — like Yoga without doing any work! That massage is more energizing than other forms of massage, also reducing stress and improving flexibility and range of motion.
Pregnancy Massage. Also called prenatal massage, pregnancy massage is becoming increasingly popular with expectant mothers. Certified practitioners know the proper way to position and support the woman’s body, and how to modify techniques. Pregnancy massage is used to reduce stress and swelling, relieve aches and pains, and decrease anxiety and depression. It is customized to a woman’s individual needs.
Reflexology. Although sometimes called foot massage, it is more than that. Reflexology involves applying pressure to certain points on the foot that correspond to organs and systems in the body. It is very relaxing, especially for people who stand on their feet all day or just have achy, tired feet.
Sports Massage. This is specifically designed for people who are involved in physical activity, but it is not only for professional athletes. The focus isn’t on relaxation but on preventing and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance. A combination of techniques are used; the strokes are generally faster than in Swedish massage. Facilitated stretching is a common technique to help loosen muscles and increase flexibility.
Back Massage. Some massage clinics offer specific back massages, but you can also book a general massage and simply ask that the massage therapist focuses on your back. To date, most of the clinical trials of massage have focused on psychological outcomes of treatment. Good evidence from randomized trials indicates that massage reduces anxiety scores in the short term. There is more limited evidence that these anxiety reductions are cumulative over time. Practitioners claim that giving patients a concrete experience of relaxation through massage can facilitate their use of self help relaxation techniques. The evidence that massage can lead to improved sleep and reduce pain remains anecdotal. There are some small studies indicating immune stimulation by increasing white blood cell quantity and natural killer-cell activity. An increasing number of research studies show that massage reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, and increases endorphins (thus enhancing medical treatment.) Although therapeutic massage does not increase muscle strength, it can stimulate weak, inactive muscles and, thus, partially compensate for the lack of exercise and inactivity resulting from illness or injury. It can also hasten and lead to a more complete recovery from exercise or injury. Massage therapy decreased the effects of anxiety, tension, depression, pain and itching in burn patients. Abdominal surgery patients have been found to recover more quickly after massage. Massage: Overview Massage therapy is the systematized manipulation of soft tissues for the purpose of normalizing them. The word massage is derived from the Greek word ‘massier’ which means to knead. If correctly done on a bare body, it can be highly stimulating and invigorating. The term ‘bodywork’ is often used to refer to therapies that are combined or confused with massage, e.g. Shiatsu, Trager, Rolfing, Polarity and Reflexology. Start The Analyst Please note that it is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common symptoms: if you treat yourself for the wrong illness or a specific symptom of a complex disease, you may delay legitimate treatment of a serious underlying problem. In other words, the greatest danger in self-treatment may be self-diagnosis. If you do not know what you really have, you can not treat it! Knowing how difficult it is to weed out misinformation and piece together countless facts in order to see the “big picture”, we now provide simple online access to The Analyst™. Used by doctors and patients alike, The Analyst™ is a computerized diagnostic tool that sits on a vast accumulation of knowledge and research. By combining thousands of connections between signs, symptoms, risk factors, conditions and treatments, The Analyst™ will help to build an accurate picture of your current health status, the risks you are running and courses of action (including appropriate lab testing) that should be considered. Many people find a massage beneficial enough to have one on a regular basis, scheduling them as frequently as needed or as often as finances will allow. History Massage has been used for thousands of years as a treatment for many ailments. Function; Reasons For Use The basic goal of massage therapy is to help the body heal itself and to increase health and well-being. Based on anecdotal data, massage therapists have said for years that massage relaxes people, reduces blood pressure and heart rate, relaxes muscles, increases range of motion, and increases the flow of blood and lymph, thereby cleansing the system. Therapeutic massage can be used to promote general well-being, enhance self-esteem and help restore a sense of body awareness – important for realizing when you are becoming tense and where you tend to hold your tension. Practitioners use a variety of physical methods including stroking, rubbing, kneading, percussion and vibration. Therapists primarily use their hands, but may also use their forearms, elbows or feet. A general body massage may last for 40-90 minutes and local body massages for 10-15 minutes. A little moderate kneading and percussion cause muscles to contract and become stronger. Deep circular kneading and vibration loosens the muscles. Kneading under and round the muscles can help break up adhesions. Practitioners generally treat the whole body, using oil to help their hands move over the patient’s body. The ten most popular types of Massage Therapy are: Swedish Massage Therapy. The most common type, also known simply as Swedish massage or simply massage therapy. Massage therapists use long, smooth strokes, kneading, and circular movements on superficial layers
of muscle using massage lotion or oil. This is a good one to try first, if you have never had a massage before.
Aromatherapy Massage. This is massage therapy with the addition of one or more scneted plant oils called essential oils, to address specific needs. The oils may be, for example, relaxing, energizing, stress-reducing, balancing. One of the most common oils used is lavender. Aromatherapy massage is most suited to stress-related conditions or conditions with an emotional component.
Hot Stone Massage. Heated, smooth stones are placed on certain points of the body to warm and loosen tight muscles and balance energy centers in the body. The massage therapist may also hold stones and apply gentle pressure with them. Hot stone massage is good for people who have muscle tension but prefer lighter massage.
Deep Tissue Massage. This targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. The massage therapist uses slower strokes or friction techniques across the grain of the muscle. Deep tissue massage is used for chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or recovery from injury. People often feel sore for one or two days after deep tissue massage.
Shiatsu. A form of Japanese bodywork that uses localized finger pressure in a rhythmic sequence on acupuncture meridians. Each point is held for 2-8 seconds to improve the flow of energy and help regain balance. There is usually no soreness afterwards.
Thai Massage. Like Shiatsu, Thai massage aligns the energies of the body by using gentle pressure on specific points. Thai massage also includes compressions and stretches. Instead of just lying on a massage table, the therapist moves and stretches you into a sequence of postures — like Yoga without doing any work! That massage is more energizing than other forms of massage, also reducing stress and improving flexibility and range of motion.
Pregnancy Massage. Also called prenatal massage, pregnancy massage is becoming increasingly popular with expectant mothers. Certified practitioners know the proper way to position and support the woman’s body, and how to modify techniques. Pregnancy massage is used to reduce stress and swelling, relieve aches and pains, and decrease anxiety and depression. It is customized to a woman’s individual needs.
Reflexology. Although sometimes called foot massage, it is more than that. Reflexology involves applying pressure to certain points on the foot that correspond to organs and systems in the body. It is very relaxing, especially for people who stand on their feet all day or just have achy, tired feet.
Sports Massage. This is specifically designed for people who are involved in physical activity, but it is not only for professional athletes. The focus isn’t on relaxation but on preventing and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance. A combination of techniques are used; the strokes are generally faster than in Swedish massage. Facilitated stretching is a common technique to help loosen muscles and increase flexibility.
Back Massage. Some massage clinics offer specific back massages, but you can also book a general massage and simply ask that the massage therapist focuses on your back. To date, most of the clinical trials of massage have focused on psychological outcomes of treatment. Good evidence from randomized trials indicates that massage reduces anxiety scores in the short term. There is more limited evidence that these anxiety reductions are cumulative over time. Practitioners claim that giving patients a concrete experience of relaxation through massage can facilitate their use of self help relaxation techniques. The evidence that massage can lead to improved sleep and reduce pain remains anecdotal. There are some small studies indicating immune stimulation by increasing white blood cell quantity and natural killer-cell activity. An increasing number of research studies show that massage reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, and increases endorphins (thus enhancing medical treatment.) Although therapeutic massage does not increase muscle strength, it can stimulate weak, inactive muscles and, thus, partially compensate for the lack of exercise and inactivity resulting from illness or injury. It can also hasten and lead to a more complete recovery from exercise or injury. Massage therapy decreased the effects of anxiety, tension, depression, pain and itching in burn patients. Abdominal surgery patients have been found to recover more quickly after massage.
With stress being linked to more illness’ and other ailments due to the ever increasing pace of life we at Chutima Therapy, Brighton, can offer various treatments to calm you down and make you day more enjoyable and productive. Book online one of our therapies of alternitively pop into our Brighton shop for a consultation.
Releasing stress with deep tissue massage
The argument about whether we all live in a stressful world or just perceive the world as being stressful is ongoing. The physical effects either way are very real and can contribute to stress in the first place or make the stress that is already present worse. Excessive stress on the body and mind is detrimental to health. Deep tissue massage is a hands-on therapy that can alleviate the build up of stress in the muscles which in turn can prevent stress or lessen its effects on our well-being if already present in the body.
Deep tissue massage unsticks the fibres that make up our muscles. The massage releases tension by applying pressure and friction along the muscle to break down adhesions in the connective tissue and restore range of movement. Deep tissue massage flushes out toxins, breaks up scar tissue and helps the body relax which means treatment can be both therapeutic and corrective. By concentrating on the deep layers of muscles, deep tissue massage releases chronic muscle tension that can be the cause of stress.
Deep tissue massage for stress management
Deep tissue massage can make you feel good physically which is highly beneficial for health and well-being both emotionally and psychologically. When the muscles are stressed, oxygen and nutrients can build up which causes an inflammatory effect and a back-log of toxins within the muscle tissue. Muscles can’t function properly under these circumstances and begin to feel sore and aching. The tension gets to a point where it affects our ability to cope raising stress levels ever higher. Deep tissue massage loosens muscles and helps to increase oxygen and blood circulation. Once normal function is restored, toxins can be flushed from the body which reduces inflammation and tension.
When treating stress, deep tissue massage has proved to be an extremely beneficial part of stress management. Systematic, rhythmical rubbing and manipulation of the muscles is one of the oldest forms of pain relief. Massage can affect the nervous system and calm the body’s natural fight or flight responses by reducing harmful stress hormones. Deep tissue massage also stimulates the lymphatic flow around the body. This flow affects tissue drainage and the immune system.
Tense muscles are also prone to injury which can cause a build up of scar tissue. Scar tissue is the body’s protection against further damage but it can restrict movement and immobilise smaller muscle groups. Scar tissue can also be increased by the toxins present in our environment and lead to irritation and inflammation in the body. The knock on effect to this is that the body produces more lactic acid in the muscles causing them to become sore and painful. Regular deep tissue massage can break down scar tissue and restore circulation enabling the muscles to move freely.
Modern massage methods often combine with other complementary therapies to provide an integrated bodywork treatment for alleviating stress. Alternative therapies such as aromatherapy, reiki and yoga can be combined with deep tissue massage to provide a comprehensive relaxation program. A trained massage therapist can also teach self-help techniques to be used at home or at work when the onset of tension threatens to spiral out of control.
Massage therapy is a well known and popular antidote for stress so consider booking an appointment if you are looking for stress relief.
Article written by
Daniel Alexander, GoToSee Journalist
Massages have so many benefits to the human body that we at Chutima Therapy, Brighton, thought we should give you and insighet to just some of them. Should you want to discuss any ailments or just book a therpay come to our Brighton shop and talk to one of our therapists.
Massage relaxes tense muscles
Muscles can become tight and ineffective for many reasons. Stress, injury, poor circulation, overuse and misuse, can all cause you pain and discomfort as well as restrict your normal range of motion. When left unattended, these conditions can become habitual and hamper the quality of your everyday life.
Like a sponge that is squeezed, a tight muscle cannot hold much fluid nor can it allow much fluid to pass through it. This decreases your circulation of blood and increases the strain placed on your heart. Among the obvious problems this can cause, this can leave you feeling fatigued and sore, reducing your precious energy reserves.
The first is by the trained touch of a massage therapist activating nerve receptor signals along myelinated nerve fibers to temporarily block chronic pain signals from reaching the brain. The second is by stimulated release of endorphins (the body’s natural pain killer) into the brain and nervous system to reduce your feelings of pain and discomfort without the use of unnatural drugs. Massage strengthens the immune system
Massage therapy not only improves the circulation of the blood and its vital nutrients, but also increases the circulation of lymph thus helping your body fight off infection and speeding your recovery from injuries and illness. Health is our greatest wealth
Contracted muscles can press on or pinch your nerves causing tingling, numbness or pain.
Massage therapy relaxes these contracted muscles to relieve the compression on your nerves. Sensory receptors in the skin and muscles wake up bringing new awareness to areas that have felt cut off by chronic tension patterns. Massage helps you to sleep better
Tension from everyday stress can disrupt your sleep leaving you tired, irritable and emotionally drained. This can rob you of the patience and stamina needed just to face day to day life.
Massage therapy relaxes tense muscles and calms the nervous system, causing your body’s rhythm to slow down. When this happens, your blood pressure lowers, your heart rate settles and your breath becomes deeper and more rhythmic, priming you for a perfect night’s sleep. Massage improves skin tone
The sun, smog, poor diet and the natural aging process all contribute to the drying, wrinkling and general loss of the youthful characteristics of your skin.
Massage therapy dilates the blood capillaries of the skin increasing the uptake of vital skin repairing nutrients and speeding the removal of harmful toxins. This improved circulation helps to moisturize your skin, improving skin texture while relieving dryness and itching.
With many of us, both men and women,being affected by cellulite there are now hundreds of creams thats supposedly help with the brealing down of it. We at Chutima Therapy Brighton, believe regular massage of the affected area can help break down this tissue which combined with the correct diet and fitness regime can remove the ‘unwanted guest’. Please drop into our Brighton store for more information.
Cellulite massage Many a time, persons undergoing cellulite massage are also advised to wear a special line of tights and panties that are made of a special wave mesh fabric. It also complements natural body movements thereby providing a beneficial exercise to the skin and adipose tissue. This stimulates microcirculation and allows drainage of fluids. Massage machines using rolling cylinders are available in the market to reduce cellulite. You may be asked to wear special stretch cotton covering before the cylindrical rollers are moved on your body. The result is a deep massaging treatment that does not tackle the underlying cause of cellulite but aims at providing cosmetic relief. Excessive massage on cellulite areas can lead to breakage of tiny capillaries. Some spas and salons offer cellulite massage treatments that include body scrubs and pressure point massage. Essential oils and electrical pulses are also used to stimulate the cells. This type of cellulite massage is claimed to firm up and tone the skin and leave it smooth and silky. Anti cellulite massages attack dryness of the skin and clear out the toxic fatty deposits that cause the ‘orange peel’ look. Massage to cellulite prone areas such as knees and upper thighs is frequently resorted to. Herbal products using seaweed, horsetail and clematis and ivy are part of the massage therapy for fighting cellulite. There are various surgical excision and suction treatments that are addressed to remove cellulite. Body wraps are also part of the massage therapy to fight cellulite. Liposuction, mesotherapy and Endermologie are resorted to by some women in the battle against cellulite.
The Benefits of Massage for People with Diabetes
As with any population, massage is a beneficial complementary therapy – diabetics, however, can find the results especially helpful.
Circulation — There is no getting around the fact that massage can increase circulation, thereby encouraging the efficient transport of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Improved circulation, in turn, improves the cells’ insulin uptake.
Relaxation — The benefits of relaxation should not be underestimated, especially within the diabetic community. Consider the physical and psychological stresses of living with a debilitating disease and the need to self-medicate and monitor on a daily basis, as well as the burden diabetes puts on the body and its systems. That said, it’s easy to see the therapeutic correlation between massage and diabetes. With the release of endorphins, the nervous system calms, there is a reduction of stress hormones and the diabetic client can find a homeostasis with their blood sugar levels.
Myofascial Effects — For the client with diabetes, you may likely find a thickening of their connective tissue caused by increased blood sugars. Massage will help to increase mobility and tissue elasticity that has been hindered by that thickening effect. Of course, a good exercise program — with an efficient stretching regimen — will also benefit your client.
This article is the copy right of Massage Therpay.com
Quick-fix diets never work as well as eating right and being active. For some dieters, though, a little extra help is needed. Weight-loss massage has become very fashionable. But why and how does it work? For that matter, does it work? Let’s explore how massage can aid in weight loss.
What Does Massage Do?
Dieters can gain many benefits from regular massage therapy. Massage is known to lower stress, improve circulation, improve mobility and speed recovery from overdoing it at the gym. Massage also helps break down scar tissue built up from damage to the muscles, which further helps mobility and circulation. Finally, massage helps flush toxins from the body, meaning your body can focus on the healthy foods you are eating and not the environmental toxins that build up over time.
How Does This Benefit Gym-Goers?
The purpose of going to the gym is to lose weight and feel good. You can’t feel good if you can’t move your body the way you should, though. Improved flexibility will help with mobility issues, especially for those who have led a sedentary lifestyle before starting to lose weight. Massage also helps reduce soreness by stretching, kneading and rubbing the muscles and keeping them loose. This means instead of taking a couple of days off, gym-goers can get back in the gym sooner. Massage and Body Fat Theories abound online that regular massage helps break up the subcutaneous fat capsules, allowing the fat to be reabsorbed into the body. A search of the Touch Research Institute’s archives show no research documents to support this theory. That has not stopped some salons and massage therapists from offering weight-loss massage that they claim helps burn body fat. While massage does help improve circulation, mobility and overall well-being, getting a massage does not burn body fat. This does not mean you should overlook massage as part of your fitness routine. However, do not believe for a moment any claims that massage will burn fat.
Stress and Weight Loss
Massage is known to reduce in the body levels of cortisol, a hormone known as the “stress” hormone because it triggers the body’s “fight or flight” response. When your body is in a high-stress mode, the intestines slow or stop the digestion of food, so the body can focus on coping with the stress. By halting the stress response, you allow your body to digest food properly and keep it from building up in your intestines. When your body functions properly, you feel better and look great, and weight-loss comes easier.
How to Incorporate Massage in Your Fitness Routine
Dieters should consider incorporating massage in their weight-loss routine by scheduling a bi-weekly or weekly treatment. The intent is to improve your body’s function and flexibility, meaning exercise is easier. It also provides an additional set of eyes to watch for and prevent any health problems or injuries caused by diet and exercise. Those who hit the gym particularly hard may consider getting sports-massage treatments. These brief massage sessions focus on preparing the body for physical exertion by stretching and warming the muscles prior to exercise.
Precautions
Always ensure the massage therapist you are seeing is trained, licensed and qualified to perform massage. Ask whether they have training in sports massage, stretching and mobility. Ask for references and credentials, and make sure the intake consultation is thorough. Make sure you inform your therapist that you are on a weight-loss regimen and that you want the therapist to be part of your weight-loss team.
This article was written by Stephen Venneman, courtesy of How Contributor
Chutima Therapy now offers Gift Vouchers for all Massage Therapy and Spa Packages in Brighton. Chutima Therapy vouchers make wonderful gifts for your friends, family or that special person in your life.
Benefits of our Gift Vouchers
A Spa Package Gift Voucher is an excellent gift idea for the ones you love – not only do they receive the gift voucher as a present (more…)
Source: Touch Research Institute
“Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms are Reduced by Massage Therapy” was conducted by researchers at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine. It was originally published in Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention. Nineteen women undergoing inpatient or outpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa were randomly assigned by researchers to either a massage-therapy group or a standard-treatment group. In addition to receiving standard care, the women in the massage-therapy group received a 30-minute Swedish massage twice a week for five weeks.
Beginning in the supine position, the head and neck were massaged, followed by the arms, torso, legs and feet. In the prone position, the legs and back were massaged. Inpatients in the standard-treatment only group participated in daily individual- and group-therapy sessions, worked with a dietician and engaged in movement therapy.
The women in the outpatient program were under the care of a psychiatrist and attended group therapy. On the first and last days of the study, researchers used the State Anxiety Inventory to evaluate the womens’ anxiety levels; the Profile of Mood States to measure their moods; saliva cortisol tests to measure stress-hormone levels; the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale to determine depression levels; and urine samples to measure dopamine values.
The Eating Disorder Inventory was used to measure psychological and behavioral traits associated with anorexia nervosa, such as perfectionism, drive for thinness, interpersonal distrust and body dissatisfaction. After the five-week treatment period, the massage-therapy group had lower scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory, compared to the standard-treatment group. (Higher scores suggest more symptoms associated with anorexia nervosa.)
Although improved mood was reported by women in the massage-therapy group, no changes were found in depression scores for either the massage-therapy or standard-treatment only group. The study suggests that a longer massage treatment period may be necessary to reduce depression for women with anorexia nervosa. “That the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) scores were unchanged for the participants in the control group despite receiving standard treatment … is suggestive of the difficulty of treating eating disorders with only traditional therapies,” state the study’s authors.
Urine samples taken on the first and last days of the study revealed an increase in dopamine values for the women who received massage therapy in addition to standard care. “Dopamine depletion has been associated with a decrease in food intake and has been implicated in anorexia nervosa and feeding behaviors,” state the authors. The results of this study, according to its authors, “suggest that massage therapy added to standard care may be effective for healing mind and body issues for individuals with eating disorders.” – Source: The
Touch Research Institute.
Authors:
Sybil Hart, Ph.D.;
Tiffany Field, Ph.D.;
Maria Hernandez-Reif, Ph.D.;
Graciela Nearing, Psy.D.;
Seana Shaw, M.D.;
Saul Schanberg, M.D., Ph.D.;
Cynthia Kuhn, Ph.D.
Originally published in Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 2001, Vol. 9, pp. 217-228.
