March 2004 [Volume 3, Issue 3]

To Your Health is brought to you by:

This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to:

https://www.toyourhealth.com/newsletter/TYH_MAS/subscribe.php

In this issue of To Your Health:

• Integrative Medicine: The Wave of the Future
• Discover the Benefits of Acupressure
• This Month's Massage Q & A

With all of the technological strides in traditional health care (advanced research, treatment methods, revolutionary pharmaceuticals), you would think that Americans would be in the best shape of their lives. Unfortunately, this is not the case; as it happens, Americans are more overweight, stressed out and unhealthy than ever before.

Alas, there is some good news. It seems that the medical community has finally caught on to what alternative-health proponents have known for years: Traditional medical care is simply not enough to achieve total wellness, which is why an increasing number of hospitals and medical centers throughout the country are implementing integrative health programs, or programs that combine traditional medical care with holistic practices.

"People are demanding it," said Kim Hein, program coordinator for the Life Center Health and Conditioning Club at Greenville Hospital in Greenville, S.C., in an article in The Greenville News. "They want more than their traditional health care."¹

And at Life Center, they certainly get more. With two locations, the center offers a number of services, including exercise and aquatic programs, nutrition counseling, health education, and a variety of therapeutic and medical massage services.

Likewise, St. Alexis Center for Integrated Medicine in Bismarck, N.D., offers acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic care, and the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, offers massage, traditional Chinese medicine, behavioral counseling, biofeedback, yoga, tai chi, and more.

The point is, traditional health providers are beginning to understand the importance of offering holistic choices for the benefit of their patients. And as a patient, don't you think you deserve it?

To link to more information on health, wellness, and alternatives to traditional health care, visit www.massagetoday.com/topics/

References

1. Foley, M. "Massage may be what the doctor ordered." The Greenville News. Aug. 25, 2003. www.greenvilleonline.com.

Acupressure is an ancient form of bodywork that involves the use of the fingers (and in some cases, the toes) to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural ability to heal itself. Pressing on these points relieves muscle tension, which promotes the circulation of blood and qi (pronounced "chee") -- the vital energy or "life force" -- to aid in the healing process.

Acupressure is sometimes referred to as "needleless acupuncture." Like acupuncture, acupressure stimulates points on the body that can trigger the release of endorphins -- pain-relieving chemicals produced by the body. When endorphins are released, the pain is blocked, and the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected area is increased. This causes the muscles to relax, and promotes healing. When performed correctly, acupressure increases circulation, reduces tension, and enables the body to relax. Reducing tension, in turn, strengthens the immune system and promotes wellness.

For more information on acupressure, visit www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt.

Question: What is lymphatic drainage and how does it work?

Answer: Manual Lymph Drain (MLD) is a gentle technique that improves the activity of the lymph vessels through mild mechanical stretches to the wall of lymph vessel. MLD may redirect the lymph flow around obstructed areas into more centrally located lymph vessels that will eventually drain into the venous vessels. The application of MLD is effective in numerous treatments such as lymphedema, post-surgery swelling, post-trauma swelling, edema and detoxification, to name a few.

Question: My husband has a lot of neck pain from cervical surgery in 1996; our family doctor recommended massage, but our medical insurance doesn't cover it, and we can't afford it. I want to learm massage techniques that will help my husband, but I can't take classes.

Answer: You do not have to be a professional massage therapist to offer the gift of touch. A nourishing and loving touch from you is healing in itself. Soothing strokes within his comfort level will help relieve his aches and pains. Adding your favorite lotion, cream, oil, or liniment to the massage may feel more soothing to him.

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/.

This edition of To Your Health is co-sponsored by:

Thank you for subscribing to To Your Health. If you have received this newsletter in error or wish to unsubscribe, you may remove your name from our e-mail subscription list at https://www.toyourhealth.com/newsletter/TYH_MAS/unsubscribe.php.

If you have any questions regarding your subscription, please complete this form at https://www.massagetoday.com/newsletterhelp/TYH.

This newsletter conforms to the requirements set by Bill S 1618 Title III, passed by the 105th U.S. Congress.