December 2003 [Volume 2, Issue 12]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Study Finds Employees Can Be a Real Pain
• Babies Benefit from a Soothing Touch
• This Month's Massage Q & A

According to a study published in the Nov. 12, 2003 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), approximately 13 percent of workers lose productive time at work due to pain, costing U.S. buisnesses over $61 billion a year. Headache was the most common complaint, followed by back pain, arthritis and other musculoskeletal pain. Surprisingly, however, absences were not the biggest problem for employers -- lost on-the-job productivity was.

"People are showing up to work with these pain conditions, and often they are disabling," said Dr. Walter Stewart, lead author of the study, in the Nov. 16 edition of the Knight Ridder Tribune. "Ignorance and misinformation often prevent them from seeking help, and some give up finding solutions after several treatment efforts fail," he said.

But pain does not have to be accepted as a way of life. Myriad research shows that massage can help ease pain associated with headaches, musculoskeletal dysfunction and other disorders; moreover, massage promotes relaxation, increases flexibility and range of motion, strengthens the immune system, and aids in mental relaxation. If you suffer from chronic pain that has resulted in a loss of work productivity, absenteeism or a diminished quality of life, talk to a massage therapist about a regular treatment plan. Many employer-sponsored health benefits plans even cover massage and other integrative health care treatments.

For more information on the benefits of massage, visit www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt.

Resources

1. Gerencher, Kristen. Pain adds up: $61 billion. Knight Ridder Tribune. Nov. 16, 2003. www.tallahassee.com.

2. Wulfhorst, Ellen. Workers in Pain Cost Business Billions-Study. Reuters. Nov. 13, 2003. www.alertnet.org.

Nothing quite compares to the joy parents feel when holding their newborn baby. Over time, however, that joy can turn to panic and, eventually, exhaustion when baby gets fussy and -- night after night -- does not respond to anything a parent does. A soothing massage, however, can soften many of the "bumps in the road" for a new baby and his or her family. With the exception of babies with specific medical problems, massage can greatly reduce (if not resolve) fussiness within the first week.

Infant massage has a wide range of physical and emotional benefits, including facilitating parental bonding and attachment, promoting relaxation, inducing deeper, longer sleep, assisting with pain relief, and enhancing neurological development, among other things. What's more, the benefits of infant massage are a two-way street: The experience resonates with baby while bringing out the nurturing qualities in parents.

For more information on infant massage, read Maria Mathias' article, "Infant Massage, Everyone Benefits," in the November issue of Massage Today at www.massagetoday.com/archives/2003/11/05.html.

Question: I'm living in Taiwan and seeing a massage therapist. What is the purpose of the back scraper and suction cups he uses? Whatever it does, I feel so much better after the therapy, compared to the Western doctors' therapy of giving pain killers.

Answer: This "back scraper" treatment you are referring to is a traditional Chinese method call Gua Sha. The historical use of Gua Sha dates back approximately 2,000 years. The function of this ancient method is to promote Qi and blood circulation, and to remove toxic heat, blood and lymph fluid from the body. Cupping, another simple and effective treatment, commonly uses bamboo jars or glass cups during treatments. The function of cupping is to treat disorders causing local congestion. This method warms and promotes the flow of Qi and blood in the meridian pathways thereby diminishing swelling and pain.

Question: I was wondering if elderly people are more sensitive to massage than others?

Answer: Elderly patients can be some of your most enjoyable patients. For many, massage should be given with a soft and gentle touch. Deep tissue is not recommended nor will you win them over as repeat clients. Swedish massage techniques work well with the elderly. Also, keep in mind that certain medications can cause your elderly patients to bruise easily, especially after a massage.

Note: Information provided in the Massage Q & A section is drawn from the "Ask a Massage Therapist" forum, in which massage therapists field questions relative to the massage profession. The forum is located online at www.massagetoday.com/ask/.

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