Recent studies suggest that massage treatments can help reduce pain and increase mobility in those who suffer from arthritis and today has become a popular way to manage arthritis pain. A professional massage therapist can help improve joint movement, relax tense muscles, and stimulate the flow of blood and nutrients to the skin and underlying tissues. What’s more, this relaxation helps break the cycle of pain and stress that often accompanies arthritis.

Studies have shown that ongoing massage therapies could lower anxiety, reduce pain, and improve grip strength for those with arthritis. Additionally, a common thread between arthritis sufferers is lack of deep sleep. When our bodies are deprived of deep sleep, certain kinds of pain chemicals are released.  With regular massage treatments can actually help clients get more deep and quality sleep.  It is this deep sleep that is most important because it brings the truly restorative process that our bodies and minds require to function properly and at the highest levels of health and well-being.  This is doubly important, as not only can ongoing massage help you sleep better, but it can also decrease your pain during the day.

Fibromyalgia is an immune disorder, related to arthritis and associated with widespread chronic pain, fatigue, memory problems, and mood changes, sleep deprivation and loss of mobility and range of motion.  A  massage treatment concentrates on improving blood circulation in the muscles, which increases the flow of nutrients and eliminates waste products. This is particularly beneficial for those with fibromyalgia as it can reduce heart rate, relax muscles, improve range of motion in joints, and increase production of the body's natural painkillers.

One of the main symptoms of fibromyalgia is waking up tired, even if the patient has received plenty of sleep. After a therapeutic massage the client is likely to feel more relaxed and get a better night's sleep. Deep sleep is truly important to managing fibromyalgia as it is during this time that the restorative process occurs. So not only will a therapeutic massage help the client wake more refreshed, but also experience less pain during the day.

Studies show that low-impact exercise programs give people with fibromyalgia relief by raising the levels of natural chemicals in the body that reduce pain and fatigue. However, someone suffering from fibromyalgia may  be reluctant to exercise if they are already tired and in pain.   However, regular massages utilize stretching and relaxation techniques to provide long-term relief and benefits.

Regular massge therapy treatments allows for long term benefits for fibromyalgia suffers. Not only does each session feel great, but the therapeutic benefits are compounded when massage is utilized as a frequent therapy. The more regular one goes, the healthier one feels. 

In the United States alone, more than 60 percent of the 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic headaches suffer from migraines. The disorder can be debilitating and typically results from high stress levels and/or lack of sleep.

Massage has two roles when it comes to treating migraines and tension related headaches. In a proactive role, massage treatments are performed on a regular basis to help the body maintain an optimal level of relaxation and stress-relief. This approach reduces the chances of migraine attacks and tension headaches significantly by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points. In a comfort role, massage is done to ease the pressure brought on during a migraine or tension related headache.

By focusing on the neck, shoulders, and head, massage can decrease the pain and discomfort brought on by migraine or tension headache. Massage therapy decreases the number of incidents of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms.  It allows the patient to maintain a level of relaxation and stress-relief, reducing the chances of stress induced migraines, and it reduces muscle spasms and trigger points that contribute to the pain itself.

A migraine is a severe and throbbing pain in the head, and can be accompanied by nausea as well as sensitivity to light and sound, or any form of vibration. For some sufferers of migraines, these painful headaches are preceded or accompanied by a sensory warning sign, such as flashes or an aura of light, blind spots or tingling in the arm or leg.  Although there's still no cure, methods for managing migraines are improving, including medications and use of alternative treatments like massage therapy.   In particular, massage therapy has been found to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

Massage is a great way to reduce stress and relieve tension- two of the primary known causes of migraines. Research has shown that massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms while increasing serotonin levels in adults with migraine headaches.

Migraines and other types of headaches are one of the most common complaints seen in the doctor's office today. The Mayo Clinic recommends that patients with migraines spend at least a half-hour each day doing something either relaxing or that involves the relaxation of muscles.  With regular massage treatments enables better management of the severe headaches and side symptoms of migraines.  

High blood pressure or hypertension is becoming more and more common today, and is one of the primary causes of heart disease and stroke.  High Blood pressure has no real symptoms that would indicate a problem before hand, it is not limited to one gender or race or age,.   It’s a good idea to start having your blood pressure checked at an early age, whether or not there is a genetic disposition for hypertension or heart disease.  It is a well-known fact that lowering the blood pressure can contribute to lowering the odds of having a heart attack, kidney failure, or a stroke

One of the most  effective ways to stave off high blood pressure is massage therapy. A number of long term studies have shown that a regular massage program decreases blood pressure and stress-hormone levels as well as reduces some of the physical sources for depression, anxiety and hostility.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease of the nervous system in which communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. Its effects can range from relatively mild in most cases to somewhat disabling to devastating. The symptoms may mysteriously occur and then disappear. In the worst cases, a person with MS may be unable to write, speak, or walk. About 350,000 Americans have MS, with most cases occurring between 20 - 45 years of age.

Massage therapy can play an effective role in reducing both the symptoms of MS and the stress of daily life. For joint stiffness, massage increases blood circulation in muscles around joints, which creates more pliable tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissue. More pliable tissue means easier joint movement. The effects of massage can be enhanced by stretches and exercises that maintain a joint’s range of motion and flexibility between massage therapy sessions. For muscle weakness or atrophy, it's important to maintain the integrity of muscle tissue. Massage therapy improves the circulation of oxygenated, nutrient rich blood to muscles and other tissues. For excess muscle tension or spasticity, many massage techniques reduce abnormal muscle tone, relieve pain, and increase circulation and muscle length to reduce spasm. Other massage strokes sedate the nervous system or local peripheral nerves, which temporarily reduces their exaggerated stimulation of muscle fibers.  Massage is important for maintaining flexibility and reducing spasticity, as well as improving the overall sense of well-being. Massage therapy is helpful in relieving muscle tension associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and it also helps to promote nerve function as well. Massage therapy can also improve spasticity and muscle stiffness. Many people with MS receive regular massage therapy to help relax and reduce stress and depression, which can exacerbate the disease.

There is an increase of interest and research in massage therapy and its ability to be an effective part of pain relief and management.  This research data, and the experience of physicians, massage therapists and patients, encourage pain many specialists to incorporate massage therapy into their pain management programs.

Massage therapy promotes relaxation and alleviates the perception of pain and anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients, as well as decreasing pain intensity among cancer patients.  The research also showed muscle-specific massage therapy is effective for reducing the incidence of chronic tension headaches as well as chronic back pain.  

Today many hospitals use massage therapy as a non-pharmacological  in pain management. Some hospitals are including massage therapists in patient care teams to fight pain, and their teams will include a massage therapist.  

Massage therapy can improve rehabilitation after an injury or for post-operative healing by supplementing the standard procedures and it helps bring more oxygen and nutrients to healing tissue and vital organs. Rehabilitating any injury can be a tiring and frustrating process. By increasing circulation and relaxing muscles, massage helps the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs. This allows the rehabilitating areas to become more flexible and heal at an accelerated rate.

In medicine, sometimes such medical procedures as surgery  are required to bring long term healing and relief.  However, the surgery itself is only one step in successful the long term results.  The post operative and rehabilitation process is seen as the most important phase of healing.   Massage therapy plays in important role as a supplement to standard rehabilitation procedures. By increasing circulation and relaxing muscles, massage helps the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs. This allows the rehabilitating areas to become more flexible and heal at an accelerated rate, thus assisting the body in its own healing process and improving joint movement and flexibility.  

Stress management is a key component for anyone striving to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Massage therapy has been proven to be one of the most effective methods for achieving stress relief. Research studies show massage therapy actually boosts the body's immune system, which can become compromised from extended periods of stress. Regular massage therapy improves and increases energy levels, the reduction of nagging pains, and the improvement of our overall physical and mental performance.  Such stress reliefs benefits are lower heart rates, lower blood pressure, relaxing the  muscles and increases the body’s natural production of the endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain releasers.

Laura Hudson is our resident Licensed Massage Therapist - LMT.      To find out more about her work you can go to her website - www.LauraHudsonLMT.MassageTherapy.com.  To make an appointment for your massage call her at 315-391-9949.