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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Cancer Patients Look to Massage for Symptom Relief
• Is Massage in Your Future?
• Answers to Your Massage Questions: Highlights From This Month's "Ask a Massage Therapist" Online Forum

Cancer is one of the most researched diseases in the world. Millions suffer from it and many of those are not satisfied with traditional treatments. Alternative therapies, such as massage, are making their way into the mainstream, and helping cancer patients fight this disease.

Recent studies have proven that massage can offer patients a chance to relieve chronic pain, improve circulation, even just relax and take their minds off of the cancer. National surveys show that Americans spend an estimated $36 to $47 billion a year on alternative and complementary treatments. With traditional health care costs continuing to rise beyond $1.9 trillion and 46.6 million people without health insurance, natural treatments have become much more sought after, especially by cancer patients who can spend up to $50,000 a year on just one medication.

A 2001 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that 7 out of 10 cancer patients in the U.S. also were using some form of alternative treatment, though most often with conventional therapies.

"Part of the reason it is growing is because people see there is some progress in conventional cancer treatment, but certainly the answers to most cancer questions have not been found," said Dr. Jeffrey White, director of the National Institutes of Health's Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine. "People want to take responsibility for their health and supplement it with what is available."

Many hospitals have begun to incorporate massage and other alternative therapies into their cancer treatment protocols. Check with your massage therapist or your local hospital to see if massage is offered to cancer patients in your area.

The number of people enjoying the benefits of massage continues to rise, according to the latest consumer survey by the American Massage Therapy Association. More than one out of six Americans gets a massage each year up 25 million people from just 10 years ago.

In previous surveys, relaxation was the main reason for getting a massage. Now, 30 percent look to massage therapy for medical reasons such as injury recovery, pain reduction, headaches and overall health and wellness. Seventy-two percent of respondents disagreed that massage was just a luxury and 92 percent said they believed massage could be effective in relieving pain, while 48 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds already have used massage to relieve pain.

"Younger people are telling us that massage can be a valuable part of their personal health routine," said AMTA president Mary Beth Braun. "As they come to rely more and more on massage for therapeutic reasons, as well as for stress relief, they'll need to know how best to find professional massage therapists who can be relied upon to provide the best possible service."

So, call your local therapist and schedule your appointment today so you also can enjoy the pain and stress relieving benefits of massage therapy.

Question: I was wondering if massage is helpful in treating someone with sciatic issues? And if so why? Are other therapies better at treating it such as chiropractic or acupuncture?

Answer: It's important to get a proper diagnosis, as often the best choice of treatment will be determined by what is causing the sciatic condition. I can't say any course of treatment would be better than the other, as how each individual responds could be very different. Often a combination of treatment modalities is what works.

True sciatica is pain and inflammation of the sciatic nerve root at L4, L5 and sacral plexus caused by something like a disc herniation, sometimes by adhesions, fibrositis, or another degenerative joint condition like arthritis. Pseudo sciatica is sciatic nerve inflammation brought on by piriformis syndrome, IT band syndrome or perhaps fibromyalgia. These conditions especially can respond well with massage therapy treatments.

Even the strain from imbalanced posture can trigger sciatica. Flat feet or having one leg shorter than the other, food allergies, previous injuries to back or hips, and emotional distress or trauma can cause sciatic discomfort. These conditions would call for completely different courses of action such as orthotics, an exercise program, allergy treatments or even counseling.

Wendy Turpin, RMT

Note: Information provided in this Q&A section is drawn from the "Ask a Massage Therapist" online forum, in which massage therapists field questions relative to the massage profession. Readers are encouraged to post their questions at www.massagetoday.com/ask/. Answers should not be misconstrued as a diagnosis, prognosis or treatment recommendation and do not in any way constitute the practice of massage therapy or any other health care profession. Readers should consult their own health care providers for medical advice.

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