Massage as Effective Medicine

Massage as Effective Medicine

Most people would agree massage is relaxing, feels good, and can alleviate stress, a stiff neck or that nagging low-back pain. What most people don't realize is how massage can be a crucial part of an overall health-and-wellness regimen to help treat everything from neuromuscular disease to chronic insomnia.
Massage saves money

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) focused on evaluating complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), has been doing studies for years on the efficacy of massage and its value in treating chronic ailments and conditions. It has found massage is, in many cases, more cost-effective than traditional remedies like surgery and medication.

For example, low-back pain, a common ailment, is typically treated by surgery and medication. Aside from the necessary recovery and pain involved with surgery and the possible side effects of medication, traditional medical treatment for lower-back pain is expensive. On average, it costs about $10,000 to treat back pain with surgery and drugs.

And guess what? The NCCAM study found spinal manipulation and massage were more effective in treating low-back pain than surgery and drugs. An effective course of massage therapy for the relief of back pain of 20 to 30 sessions costs a maximum of $3,000, and is significantly less invasive than surgery or other medical intervention.

Ease stress, heal the body

Relaxation is more than just a day at the spa; it's a serious component of preventive medicine. Americans are more stressed out than ever. This stress doesn't just make you irritable; it can also foster more chronic diseases like depression, autoimmune disorders, heart disease and even cancer. Prolonged, harmful periods of stress can cause physical harm, including headaches, muscle pain, nausea, anxiety and a suppressed immune system.

Cortisol, a hormone produced when the body is stressed, can kill cells needed for proper immune function. For example, people under stress are more vulnerable to the virus that causes the common cold. Of course, there are many ways people handle stress, but some of the most common—drinking alcohol, smoking and overeating—cause their own health issues, including obesity, alcoholism and lung disease.

So what is a solution for stress that doesn't cause problematic side effects? The answer: massage. Massage is not only effective at reducing stress, it's also free of side effects when practiced by a licensed practitioner. Let your clients know massage can literally be a lifesaver, a fantastic preventive medicine. Massage, for example, induces a relaxation response, which combats the fight-or-flight response exacerbated by stress, thus reducing blood pressure and risk of heart disease, and bolstering the immune system.

Don't get inflamed

Along with stress, tissue inflammation can contribute to or cause myriad conditions, from arthritis and Parkinson's disease to asthma, heart disease and cancer. This is yet another reason why massage is crucial. Not only can massage reduce stress; it can reduce inflammation and, therefore, pain in the body.

A study published in Science Translational Medicine in February 2012 found massage reduced the production of cytokines, a compound that plays an important role in causing inflammation. Some doctors believe anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and other NSAIDs may actually slow healing, but massage, which works differently, actually increases the activity of mitochondria and, thus, speeds cell healing as well.

What conditions does massage address?

Aside from low-back pain and stress, here are a few of the conditions massage can help to alleviate, in conjunction with appropriate tradition medical care and in consultation with a physician if necessary:

    Asthma. This is a serious, chronic condition that causes the airways of the lungs to constrict, hampering breathing. severe asthma attacks can cause death. The disorder often starts in childhood. Luckily, massage can help. A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics shows massage on children with asthma reduced levels of cortisol and improved respiratory control and blood oxygenation.
    Fibromyalgia. This is one of the most baffling chronic ailments. It's characterized by pain and sensitivity in the joints and muscles. Other common side effects of fibromyalgia include nausea, depression, fatigue and insomnia. Fibromyalgia patients typically experience flare-ups, periods during which symptoms increase in severity.

Fibromyalgia makes massage a bit complicated. People with fibromyalgia go through periods when their condition is especially active. When the condition is especially intense, it can be painful to have the muscles massaged. However, since every person is different, this state isn't the case for every person afflicted by fibromyalgia, and some fibromyalgia patients are greatly helped by deep-tissue massage during flare-ups.

Because there are few conventional medical treatments for fibromyalgia, CAM treatments are commonly used to manage the condition. According to the NCCAM, about 90 percent of people with fibromyalgia use CAM, with massage being the most popular treatment.

    Migraine. Migraines are caused by swollen blood vessels in the temples and base of the neck. These engorged blood vessels cause headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea. This condition is distressingly common. According to a study by the American Massage Therapy Association in 2006, up to 45 million Americans suffer from migraines.

One of the best ways to increase blood circulation is, of course, massage.

Even better, there is a type of massage specifically designed to relieve headaches and migraines: craniosacral massage. Craniosacral massage is focused around the movement of the craniosacral fluid that cradles the brain and skull. A 2008 pilot study indicated massage was effective at relieving tension headaches, particularly craniosacral therapy.

    Osteoarthritis. This is a fairly common joint condition caused by the breakdown of cartilage. It can be caused by aging or injury. Symptoms typically appear after the age of 50. Some symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain and stiffness in the joints.

While common remedies for osteoarthritis include steroid injections, surgery and medication, a NIH study showed treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee with acupuncture was effective at alleviating pain and improving joint function. A study by the Yale Prevention Research Center also showed Swedish massage eased pain and improved mobility in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

    IBS and Crohn's disease. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and its more serious cousin, Crohn's disease, are disorders characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the intestines. IBS and Crohn's disease can lead to bloating, cramps and loss of appetite. Many people with Crohn's disease have said massage is helpful with alleviating their condition. This claim is borne out by recent studies that emphasize how massage is able to reduce inflammation and stress in the body, both of which exacerbate conditions like IBS and Crohn's disease.

Save time, pain and money Book a Remedial Massage Today!


http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=13594&catid=335&title=massage-as-effective-medicine-making-the-case-to-clients

The Psoas muscle is the leading cause of back pain.

The Psoas muscle is the leading cause of back pain.

Some basic psoas information:
The psoas causes low back pain, sacroiliac pain, sciatica, disc problems, scoliosis, hip degeneration and knee pain
Unresolved trauma can keep the psoas short and reactive
The psoas (pronounced "so - az") primarily flexes the hip and the spinal column
The psoas functions as a hip and thigh flexor, which makes it the major walking muscle
The psoas can torque your spine to the right or left, pull it forward and twist the pelvis into various distortions
When the psoas is stuck in contraction stretches or strengthening can tighten the muscle even more
The psoas is part of a group of muscles effecting the back and hips that include: iliacus, iliopsoas, psoas minor and quadratus

lumborum
The psoas is a major part of your body's defensive physiology which responds to danger with flight, fight or freeze.

 #1. What is the Psoas Muscle?
The number of problems caused by the psoas is quite astonishing.
The psoas (pronounced "so - az") primarily flexes the hip and the spinal column. At about 16 inches long on the average, it is one of the largest and thickest muscles of the body (in animals it's known as the tenderloin). This powerful muscle runs down the lower mid spine beginning at the 12th thoracic vertebrae connecting to all the vertebral bodies, discs and transverse processes of all the lumbar vertebrae down across the pelvis to attach on the inside of the top of the leg at the lesser trochanter. The lower portion combines with fibers from the iliacus muscle, which sits inside the surface of the pelvis and sacrum, to become the Iliopsoas muscle as it curves over the pubic bone and inserts on the lesser trochanter.

#2. What is the function of the psoas?
The psoas has a number of diverse functions, making it a key factor in health. The psoas functions as a hip and thigh flexor, which makes it the major walking muscle. If the legs are stationary the action of it is a bend the spine forward; if sitting, it stabilizes and balances the trunk. The lower psoas brings the lumbar vertebrae forward and downward to create pelvic tilt.
When we think of smooth, elegant and graceful movement in dancers and athletes we are looking at the psoas functioning at its optimum. It requires that the psoas maintains the pelvis in a dynamically neutral orientation that can move easily and retain structural integrity. This creates positions of the spine that require the least muscular effort.

#3. What are the common pain symptoms of the psoas?
When the muscle becomes contracted due to injuries, poor posture, prolonged sitting, or stress, it can alter the biomechanics of the pelvis and the lumbar, thoracic and even cervical vertebrae. Typically a dysfunctional psoas is responsible for referred pain down the front of the thigh and vertically along the lower to mid spinal column. Trigger points are found above the path of the psoas on the abdomen. Frequently the quadratus lumborum muscles develop trigger points, as well as the piriformis, gluteals, hamstrings, and erector spinae.
The psoas can torque your spine to the right or left, pull it forward and twist the pelvis into various distortions. Frequently one psoas will shorten and pull the spine and/or pelvis to our dominant side. The distortions of the spine and pelvis can also show up as a short or long leg. This all results in scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, trigger points, and spasms in back muscles trying to resist the pulling of the psoas.It can also pull the spine downward, compressing the facet joints and the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine. The pressure can cause the discs to degenerate, becoming thinner and less flexible. This degeneration makes the discs more susceptible to bulging or tearing, especially with twisting and bending movements.
Get 7 Effective Psoas Relief Exercises!
Organized by Barry Krost after 20+ years of working with the psoas.
7 Methods of Releasing the Psoas Muscle and Back PainThe many Psoas stretches and exercise found on the web frequently are ineffective until the psoas is ready to change. This 7 step sequence helps prepare your psoas muscle to respond to stretches and exercises. It includes stretches and exercises that are safe and effective.
The 10 page E-Pamphlet, "7 Methods of Releasing the Psoas Muscle and Back Pain," is delivered electronically as a PDF. It has everything you need to begin to transform your pain and discomfort.
Full of easy directions and photos of each exercise, you will quickly find the relief you have been searching for.Each of the 7 methods contains an introduction to the activity, clear directions and photos that illustrate the experience.
This pdf is designed to help you to gently release your psoas. The methods, if done on a regular basis, should help to keep your back (and hips) flexible and resilient.


#4. What keeps the psoas in contraction?
The psoas will stay contracted because of postural habits and trauma. The way we stand, walk and sit can distort the psoas. If we walk or stand with our chin in an overly forward position the muscle will tighten. Sitting through much of the day at the office, car or elsewhere causes the muscle to shorten to keep us bio-mechanically balanced in our chairs. Over time we develop a "normal" way of holding the psoas that is dysfunctional.
Unresolved trauma can keep the psoas short and reactive. This is a primary muscle in flight, fight, freeze or fear responses to danger. When survival is at stake, it propels the body to hit the ground running. When startled, it ignites preparation of the extensor muscles to reach out (grab hold) or run. Until the psoas is released the muscle may stay contracted and go into further shortening and spasm very easily.

http://www.squidoo.com/psoas

5 Strange Health Tips That Actually Work

1. Sit up straight and you might think twice about reaching for that cupcake or sweet treat. According to research, slouching cuts blood flow and glucose to the brain, making us crave sugar.

2. Pick up a pineapple and while you’re enjoying that sweet flesh you could also relieve joint pain. It’s thought to contain anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Got a mouth ulcer? Peel a clove of garlic, cut it in half crossways and squeeze the oil out. Dab it on the lesion. It should kill the bacteria and ulcer by morning.

4. Keep some American mustard handy in the fridge for a minor burn. It will calm the skin and stop blistering.
5. Overdue or long labour? Some research suggests drinking pomegranate juice can speed up the process. It contains a natural steroid that can stimulate all the right muscles.