July 2008 [Volume 7, Issue 7]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Studying the Effectiveness of Foot Reflexology
• Top 10 Exercise Excuses
• Massage and Atrophy Question

Studying the Effectiveness of Foot Reflexology

Infertility is becoming a common problem among women. Treatment results can vary and the cost of most infertility treatments can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. A recent study in the U.K. sought to determine whether foot reflexology would have an effect greater than sham reflexology on the induction of ovulation.

Forty-eight women attending an infertility clinic with anovulation were randomized to receive eight sessions of either genuine foot reflexology or sham reflexology with gentle massage over the course of 10 weeks. According to the study authors, the rate of ovulation during true reflexology was 11 out of 26 (42%) and during sham reflexology it was 10 out of 22 (46%). Pregnancy rates were 4 out of 26 in the true group and 2 out of 22 in the control group.

While researchers found the results were pretty similar for both the true and the sham reflexology groups, the idea of general reflexology massage having a positive impact and a generally beneficial effect was not examined for this study, but should be examined in future studies. The small sample size also left researchers curious about various findings. Researchers did determine that developing randomized, double-blind studies involving reflexology is possible and that more research is needed to uncover the benefits of reflexology and other types of massage.

Although mixed results were found, one thing is clear. More and more studies are being conducted to determine the effectiveness of massage therapy on various health conditions not previously thought to be associated with massage – such as infertility. Massage has traditionally been associated with chronic pain conditions (low back pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, arthritis), but this increased level of research could shed new light on the expanding benefits of massage therapy.

Top 10 Exercise Excuses

While not as entertaining as a David Letterman Top 10 List, this one can help you put your health into perspective. Do you use any of these excuses when the topic of exercise comes up? If you're not exercising, you've likely used some or all of these excuses at one time or another. That's a problem, not only because it means you're not getting enough exercise, but also because your lack of action may be contributing to other unhealthy choices that affect your life.

So, without further delay, here are the top 10 most common exercise excuses:

10. A general sense of apathy. "I don't really care about exercising. I work hard enough every day that I don't need an exercise routine."

9. Low on the priority list. "I have a lot of important responsibilities and exercise just isn't a priority right now."

8. Embarrassment. "I'm so out of shape, I'm afraid people will laugh at me at the gym."

7. Health issues and/or chronic pain. "I have a bad back, bad knees, etc., so I can't work out without severe pain." (This one might actually be a decent excuse – but are you doing anything to alleviate your pain besides taking medication?)

6. Lack of a routine or boredom with the current exercise routine. "I never know what to do at the gym. I don't like doing the same thing all the time."

5. Location, location, location. "There just isn't a gym that's close to my work or home."

4. Budget issues. "It's just too expensive to join a gym and buy all the necessary gear (clothes, shoes, iPod, etc)."

3. Bad experience. "I had a bad experience at the gym (with a personal trainer, dirty gym, obnoxious members, etc)."

2. Lack of motivation. "I'm too tired to work out at the end of the day. I just don't have the discipline to commit to an exercise program. Isn't there a quick and easy way to get in shape and lose the weight?"

1. Don't make the time. "With kids, a husband, a full time job and aging parents, I just don't have the time to exercise. It's not even on my radar at the end or the beginning of the day."

How many of these excuses are stopping you from exercising regularly? Whether it's one or all 10, now's the time to stop making excuses and do something about it.

Massage and Atrophy Question

Question: My son just got his cast off today after two months of pins and healing of his left wrist. His first words were, "Mom, my hand looks like a flipper!" The muscles have reduced considerably and his wrist is very stiff. What can we do to build his muscles up again and get recovery underway?

Answer: It's quite common that after a joint has been immobilized for a while, like while wearing a cast, it becomes stiff and the muscles atrophy (shrink in size). The joint is now weak because the muscles that move it have not been used. A combination of stretching/strengthening exercises and massage therapy should be started right away. A physiotherapist or a massage therapist trained in rehab or remedial exercises would be able to recommend what to do to start building up the wrist muscles. When a joint is not used there can be thickening in the joint capsule and adhesions can occur leading to the stiffness. Also, with surgery scar tissue is a real issue. Massage therapy can address both of these problems.

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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