April 2007 [Volume 6, Issue 4]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• More Americans Suffer Pain, Lose Mobility
• Depressed Women Turn to CAM for Help
• Answer to Your Massage Question: Highlight From This Month's "Ask a Massage Therapist" Online Forum

More Americans Suffer Pain, Lose Mobility

According to a study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research and supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), Americans in their early-to-mid 50's reported poorer health, more pain and more trouble performing normal, everyday activities than older peers reported in previous years.

Researchers compared the overall, self-reported health of people in three different age groups: those from 66-71, those from 60-65 and those 54 to 59. The data came from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationwide, NIA-sponsored survey of more than 20,000 Americans over age 50 that began in 1992.

The results provided some interesting information. The two groups aged 54 to 59 and those 60-65 were less likely than the oldest group to admit their health was "excellent or very good" at 51 to 56 years of age. The 54 to 59 age group reported having more pain, chronic health conditions and drinking and psychiatric problems than people who were the same age 12 years earlier. As compared to the 66 to 71 age group, the youngest group was more likely to have reported difficulty walking, climbing steps, getting up from a chair, kneeling or crouching and performing other normal daily physical tasks.

For detailed results of this study, visit www.nia.nih.gov.

Depressed Women Turn to CAM for Help

The March issue of Psychiatric Services, a journal of the American Psychiatric Association, featured a study showing that a slight majority of women turn to complementary therapies, including massage, to combat depression.

The study, titled "Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Women With Depression: Results of a National Survey," focused on three popular types of CAM: manual therapies including chiropractic, massage and acupressure; herbs and vitamins. The study examined patterns of and reasons for using CAM among women battling depression. Two hundred and twenty women with depression were assessed as part of a nationally representative phone survey of 3,068 women. Fifty-four percent of the women with depression surveyed reported using CAM within the past year.

The study found that African-American women were less likely to use CAM in general, as compared to non-Hispanic white women. Other factors significantly associated with the use of CAM included being employed, single and having self-perceived poor health. The most commonly cited reasons for using CAM therapies included desiring a treatment based on a "natural approach," wanting treatments in line with their values and beliefs and having past experiences in which conventional medicine caused unpleasant side effects or seemed ineffective.

For complete results of this study, visit www.psychservices.psychiatryonline.org.

Answer to Your Massage Question: Highlight From This Month's "Ask a Massage Therapist" Online Forum

Question: What are some of the benefits of hot stone massage? Are there any contraindications? I've heard they are very relaxing and would like to know more information. I also have high blood pressure, would that be an issue?

Answer: Hot stone massage can be quite relaxing. The warmth provided by the stones helps to loosen the muscles quicker and with less effort (for the therapist) than regular massage. High blood pressure isn't necessarily a contra-indication, but the stones used for clients with high blood pressure are at a slightly lower temp. For some basic information, visit www.altmedicine.about.com/od/massage/a/hot_stone.htm. If you are a therapist who is interested in learning more, you can find some info at www.lastonetherapy.com.

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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