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September 2007 [Volume 6, Issue 9]
To Your Health is brought to you by:
In this issue of To Your Health:
Aromatherapy Massage and Blood Pressure
A recent study conducted at the School of Nursing at Eulji University in South Korea and published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, found that aromatherapy massage may exert positive effects on blood pressure and lipid profile in Korean women entering menopause.
The study followed 58 Korean women entering menopause (30 in the experimental group and 28 in the control group). The aromatherapy massage consisted of lavender, rose geranium, rose and jasmine and was given only to the experimental group. Each massage session was administered by the study participant to themselves in the form of an abdominal massage at home and consisted of a 30 minute session once-a-week for two 8-week periods.
According to the study authors, the intervention produced significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressures at post-treatment between the two groups. The authors state, "These results suggest that aromatherapy massage may exert positive effects on blood pressure. However, more objective, clinical measures should be applied in a future study with a randomized placebo-controlled design."
According to the American Pain Association, an estimated 86 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. A recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine compared traditional Chinese medical acupuncture, therapeutic massage and self-care education for chronic low back pain.
The study results showed that therapeutic massage was effective in treating persistent low back pain and provided long-lasting benefits. The Touch Research Institute also has conducted more than 90 clinical studies on the beneficial effects of massage therapy. TRI’s studies have proven massage therapy’s effectiveness in the relief of several health conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, labor pain, fibromyalgia and back pain. If you suffer from chronic pain, visit your local massage therapist to see how the many varieties of massage therapy can help you manage this pain and improve your quality of life.
Question: Are there any contraindications for someone receiving massage with gout in their foot? If not, any specific techniques to help with this condition?
Answer: Gout is a form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints. It can be an immensely painful disease which, in most cases, affects only one area, the big toe. Massage therapy treatments will be the same for any other types of arthritis. Working inflamed joints will be a contraindication. Between flare ups, regular massage treatments including gentle range of motion to joints will be of benefit.
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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