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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Massage Helps Infants Battle Colic
• Medical Spa Services on the Rise
• Answer to Your Massage Question: Highlights From This Month's "Ask a Massage Therapist" Online Forum

Every year, thousands of anxious parents bring home their newborn bundle of joy. For first-time parents, every cry brings with it just a bit of fear as they rush to tend to the baby's every need. But what can parents do when a newborn suffers from colic and the cries seem to never end?

A recent study printed in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics supported the effects of massage on colicky infants. Colic is a result of problems with the infant's immature digestive system. Trapped gas might cause the baby's stomach to become distended which could result in pain, bloating, inability to pass gas and frequent crying or screaming. Researchers found that stimulation of the digestive process through massage might help ease the pain and bring relief from colic.

The researchers found that massage therapy stimulated melatonin secretion and rest-activity rhythms in full-term infants. The study went on to state that, "massage therapy by mothers in the perinatal period serves as a strong time cue, enhancing coordination of the developing circadian system with environmental cues."

So, if you've got a colicky infant, use massage therapy to aid in their digestive process and keep the crying to a minimum.

Even as the use of massage increases across the country and day spas are popping up all over the place — from shopping centers to airports — for some people the spa market has a tendency to evoke images of starlets immersing themselves in luxury and relaxation. While this stereotype might hold some truth, there is hope of bringing together medical and spa professionals for what many believe will be the beginning of a lasting and beneficial partnership.

In some ways, this potential partnership seems like a natural progression of the massage and spa industry. Medical professionals are finding that spa and massage services, not only provide much more appealing environments, but also add to the medical treatments by relaxing the patient, as well as helping them deal with sometimes painful, although oftentimes minor, procedures.

In early March, Los Angeles will host the Spa and Resort/Medical Spa Expo and Conference show which includes several educational tracks for spa professionals and doctors, as well as spa/medical spa tours and a two-day exhibit hall with more than 250 exhibitors. Conference highlights include education programs covering spas, resorts, medical spas, nursing, massage, esthetician services, alternative healing therapies and trends.

For more information on this conference, as well as additional information on the medical and spa communities and how they are weaving services together, visit www.medicalspaexpola.com.

Question: A friend broke her ankle 8 years ago. She now a quite a bit of scar tissue and she has trouble moving her foot. What would be the best way to massage her foot to help her?

Answer: Scar tissue is what happens when after an injury normal tissue has been replaced with less elastic and weaker connective tissue. This is probably why your friend finds it difficult to move the ankle and foot. There are a few massage techniques that aid in increased circulation and mobility of scar tissue. Finger tip kneading, skin rolling and lifting, cross and with fiber frictions can be done to the ankle ligaments. Mobilizations of the ankle and gentle over-pressure in all ranges will address contractures around the joint. Heat applications help make adhesions more mobile. They can be done before a treatment and as continuing home care. Stretch and strengthening exercise should be a daily routine.

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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