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Massage Therapy, Yoga And Tai Chi Help Reduce Lower Back Pain
In the U.S., back pain is the second most common form of neurological disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health. Any disorder of the body's nervous system is considered a neurological disorder and headaches rank at the top in this category.
When you have back pain, your primary care doctor should properly assess your condition. Causes of back pain can range from mild muscle strain to a herniated disc, osteoporosis, even a tumor. Finding out the cause of the back pain is important to do to make sure you begin the correct treatment plan.
There are some natural remedies that may offer some relief for mild to moderate pain often found in the lower back. When used with conventional forms of treatment especially, these popular alternative remedies can be beneficial:
Massage Therapy:
Massage therapy is an effective treatment for lower back pain, according to a study from 2011. Researchers found that the benefits were rewarding, pain relief lasted six months and beyond.
Full story of massage therapy aids back pain at iTech Post
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Sound Therapy Takes Traditional Massage to Next Level
Though Philadelphia Private Gym's new sound therapy equipment looks as simple as a padded cot with a blanket and a CD player, it is much more complex than that. The vibroacoustic lounge features a zero gravity bed that vibrates in sync with music to relieve stress.
Massage therapist Brian Mitchell said the gym's new lounge will offer a place for clients to "come and unwind."
"You put a mask over your eyes, music plays throughout the mattress and induces relaxation," he explained.
The process, known as the NexNeuro system, vibrates music throughout the body and provides cellular stimulation that helps reduce stress and relaxes the mind and body, Mitchell explained.
Full story of sound therapy at Bensalem Patch
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Massage Thai style
For a growing number of locals, a traditional Thai massage is a welcome getaway from the stress of day-to-day life.
They can be found at Anne Perry's office, located in Unit 5 on the second floor of 111 Water St., which she opened about three months ago.
"The biggest thing I hear from it is people get up feeling energized, clear-headed, but relaxed," said Perry.
Unlike most European massage forms, Thai massages take place on a mat on the floor, and the recipient wears loose or stretchy clothing. It looks similar to yoga, but the recipient is mostly passive. Thai massage doesn't involve any lotions or oils, which allows some to receive Thai massages before going to work.
"The practitioner is in almost a dance with the receiver, helping them to stretch," said Perry.
According to Perry, the benefits of a Thai massage can include increased flexibility, an improved immune system, reduced stress, better circulation, and improved fascia, or connective tissue. Perry describes Thai massages as a mixture of the spiritual and the scientific.
Full story of thai massages at Seacoast Online
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Does a massage therapy treatment have to hurt?
The answer to this question is going to depend on whom you ask. But in reality, the answer is, "It depends!"
If you're receiving a relaxation treatment, then the treatment generally shouldn't cause you undo pain. However, if you have sought treatment to address one or more ailments that impede your daily function in some way, the treatment may cause you some discomfort. The likelihood of this is especially high if they're longstanding issues.
I've written a number of articles talking about the importance of continuing to move and using catch phrases like "Use it or lose it!" Well, I am going to talk about it some more here. The single biggest reason for people presenting with musculoskeletal pain is because they either stopped moving or have continued to move improperly for some time.
Our muscles and tissues are "sandwiched" together and against one another. They must glide and slide throughout our infinite movements. The way they do this is through maintaining healthy circulation and lubrication between every fiber. Imagine drizzling olive oil over your spaghetti noodles and how they would glide and slide on one another. However, if you let the noodles sit for a prolonged period of time, as in the cases where we assume a static posture for a prolonged period of time, the noodles' starch will cause adherence between them.
Full story of pain and massage therapy at The Burnside News
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HIV Report: Massage Therapy Bolsters an Impaired Immune System
Many people perceive receiving a massage as a luxurious indulgence, a treat comparable to buying a new fancy outfit or eating lobster and caviar for dinner. While there is no doubt that a good massage can make you feel like a million bucks, its physiological rewards extend far beyond feeling pampered. Nowhere is massage's impact on the body more profound than in those who have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). For individuals who are HIV positive, the cellular battle within the immune system can get a significant wellness boost from regular massage therapy.
About HIV
HIV is the retrovirus that causes AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency virus. In the early stages of HIV infection, there are rarely any symptoms. As it progresses, the immune system becomes increasingly impaired. Usually taking one to two decades, advanced HIV can manifest as AIDS - a severe crippling of the immune system that makes sufferers vulnerable to a long list of opportunistic infections and chronic illnesses.
Full story of HIV and massage therapy at Institute For Integrative Healthcare Studies
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Massage may ease menopause symptoms
A handful of massage sessions with scented oils may help ease menopause symptoms for some women, suggests a small study that found massage with unscented oil also helped, but considerably less.
In the new study, Iranian researchers found that massage – either with aromatherapy oils or without – was better than doing nothing for 90 women with menopause symptoms.
"I don't think that's surprising," said Dr Hilda Y. Hutcherson, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York.
Considering some of the symptoms the study measured – like irritability, depressed mood and sleep problems -it makes sense that a couple of massages per week could make some women feel better, said Dr Hutcherson, who was not involved in the study.
And the added aromatherapy, she said, might work better based on what research suggests about certain scents.
Full story of massage easing menopause at Health24
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The Many Benefits of Massage Therapy
By Desiree Moore
Brush aside the notion that massages are solely a decadent luxury service for those who love to be pampered. Apart from relaxation, massage therapy has many health benefits in addition to being a terrific stress-reducer.
Massage therapy treatments are therapeutic and improve health by acting on the muscular, nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Recent research has shown massage therapy boosts immune function by increasing white blood cell levels, alleviates headache symptoms and improves asthma and circulation. It’s even become increasingly common for employers, realizing the many benefits of massage therapy, to bring massage therapists into the office once a week or more to help alleviate stress and stimulate productivity among employees.
People of all ages from youth to adulthood have a multitude of reasons to engage in massage therapy, but the type of massage needed is different for each person. There are many different styles of massages to choose from, each offering a variety of benefits. Some of the most popular are the Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, Reflexology, hot stone massage, and the pre-natal massage.
Pilates Proves to Be a Powerful Rehabilitation Tool
SB Wire
Pilates is not just for gym-goers looking for a way to attain long, lean muscles. The exercise method, originally developed by Joseph Pilates to rehabilitate injured prisoners of war, is once again making its way back into the world of physical therapy NYC. BodyFit Physical Therapy and Wellness of Manhattan takes a holistic approach to rehabilitating injuries by combining standard manual physical therapy methods with massage, acupuncture, MELT, and Pilates.
BodyFit is a one stop shop for all things physical therapy- and wellness-related. The highly experienced therapists have advanced certifications and help clients conquer pain and resume their active lifestyles. Therapists develop a custom treatment plan for each patient and provide one-on-one sessions in a soothing setting. BodyFit features certified Pilates in Manhattan for rehabilitation instructors who combine the exercises with therapy to re-educate patients on movement, strengthen the muscles including the core, and enhance neuromuscular control. The movements cultivate both strength and flexibility to increase functional fitness and overcome muscle imbalances.
Knowing Your Body
Jennifer Hamady
About six months ago, I did something to my shoulder. Assuming it was a muscle, I treated it as I do most "physical things" -- with yoga, bodywork and stretching.
While it hasn't gotten worse, it certainly hasn't gotten better. Thankfully, a new massage therapist (the previous three were unable to fix it) enlightened me: "Muscles don't stay static like this for six months. Something else is going on. Go see a specialist."
I did, and started physical therapy last week. And I learned something very important: that I haven't been in touch with my body. Or at least, not all of it.
Being a singer and a voice coach have given me the opportunity of being intimately aware of my body in ways that many people aren't. The breath, the chest, the throat, the back... I've spent endless amounts of time in the worlds of my own and others' voices, including all of the related physiology.
Canine Massage Therapy: Many Benefits Beyond Relaxation
By Victoria Schade
Victoria Schade: How is canine massage different from regular petting?
Lori Michelin: I compare animal massage to good dental hygiene. You take responsibility for keeping your teeth clean and flossed, but it is still important to work with a professional hygienist from time to time to make sure you’re getting all the important spots. That helps you avoid having to actually visit the dentist too often, but when a problem arises, it is good to know they are there.
It is the same for your pets…I encourage all of my clients to massage their pets on a regular basis and even teach them some basic skills during our sessions. But depending on your pet’s health and activity level, regular visits from a professional massage therapist will attend to all of their needs and help to avoid injury and illness. A professional is well-trained to be able to see changes in your pet’s health early too, so you can have more options for caring for them.