In touch with the healing powers of massage

Better Nutrition, Feb, 1998 by Nancy Dodd Cates

Robert Henley Woody, Ph.D., Sc.D., stated in his textbook, The Use of Massage in Facilitating Holistic Health: "...there is clearly too much support for the benefits of massage for it to be left out of any health specialist's treatment repertoire, even if many of the healing properties involve the psychological effects of 'laying on of the hands.'" Although written more than 15 years ago, his words follow a long tradition of medical thought.

Massage through the centuries

The history of massage goes back to at least 3000 B.C., when the Chinese first practiced massage. There are records to indicate Herodicus, teacher to Hippocrates, endorsed exercise and massage as life extending. Hippocrates believed that a physician should be knowledgeable in the practice of massage, and both Socrates and Plato wrote of the importance of an oiled massage. Massage has been used by well-known physicians in the treatment of kings and queens. In fact, Mary, Queen of Scots, is said to have been revived from near death by her physician's use of massage.

Knowledge and opinions of massage have changed over time

Massage has lost and regained popularity many times over the centuries. In this century, the art of massage became less important as the use of medications, surgery, and other technologies increased. For several decades, many people have considered massage therapy a luxury of the wealthy and very indulgent, or have associated massage with massage parlors and, thereby, dens of iniquity. Because of its "hands on" nature, the benefits of massage have been relegated to the bedroom, or to the good fortune of athletes who are considered worthy of a massage after training or a sports event.

Whether from the gentle kneading of muscles, the oils used, or the laying on of hands, the therapeutic effects of massage are once again coming into their own. Current research shows a strong relationship between the reduction or elimination of pain or stress and improved overall well-being after the application of massage therapy.

Massage has proven benefits for mind and body health

A recent study by The Department of Health Sciences in the Faculty of Human Development at Victoria University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia, showed that massage significantly reduced test-patients' perception of post-operative pain over a 24-hour period. Additionally, the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa found that therapeutic massage alleviates the perception of pain and anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients through promoting relaxation.

Hospital studies show that infants and children also respond to massage therapy. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine has found that newborns of HIV-positive mothers, after being given three 15-minute massages daily for 10 days, showed superior performance on the Brazelton newborn cluster score (a system for assessing the behavior of newborns with a series of 27 reaction tests) and had a higher daily weight-gain than did the control group. The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Miami School of Medicine had similar findings with cocaine-exposed pre-term newborns.

The Touch Research Institute also found that, overall, massage therapy seems to have beneficial effects on infants and children with various health problems including: abuse (sexual and physical), asthma, autism, burns, cancer, developmental delays, dermatitis, diabetes, eating disorders (e.g., bulimia), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychiatric disorders.

Most of us are familiar with the use of massage as a stress reducer. Think of how relaxing it is for a loved one or friend to rub your shoulders and neck after a trying day. The Department of Management at Bowling Green State University, Ohio, carried out a study on the effects of massage therapy on the stress levels of professional men and women in an organization downsizing its employees. The results showed that on-site massages, performed while the person was sitting in a chair, for as little as 15 minutes once a week over a six-week period, decreased stress levels. in fact, the residual effects lasted for two to three weeks after the test was completed.

In another similar study at the institute, adults were asked to relax in a massage chair for 15 minutes twice a week over a five-week period. Before, during, and after the sessions, their brain activity was monitored with an electroencephalograph (EEG), a machine used for detecting and recording brain waves. They were also asked to do math calculations, and were given depression and anxiety evaluations. The results were an increase in frontal delta power, suggesting relaxation; signs of enhanced alertness; increased speed and accuracy on math calculations; lower anxiety levels; and lower depression and job-stress scores.

Making preparations for massage

A massage can be given almost any place in a number of positions. The most preferable for the giver and receiver is on a sturdy, padded, body-sized table which provides comfort for the receiver. This also allows the giver to move around freely and still maintain control in applying pressure and strokes.