September 2002 [Volume 1, Issue 7]
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In this issue of To Your Health:
What Is Reflexology?
Reflexology is based on a system of points on the hands and feet thought to correspond or "reflex" to other areas of the body. As such, application of the technique is specific to particular body parts (most often the feet), but is intended to assist the entire body.
The
theory behind reflexology is that we all have "reflexes" that correspond
to every organ in the body, such that by applying pressure to those zones,
the body can be brought back into balance and harmony.
Evidence suggests that the practice of reflexology began in ancient Egypt, China and India. Hieroglyphics on pyramid walls show people having their hands and feet worked on, and several ancient texts make reference to the art as well.
To some extent, you can perform reflexology on yourself by using a variety of techniques (i.e., kneading, pressing, etc.) on your own hands and feet. Reflexologists, however, are trained to identify precise points on your body that, through massage, can be stimulated to positively impact a corresponding body area that may be giving you a problem.
To learn more about other forms of massage therapy, go to https://www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt.
No More Back Pain After Massage
When people think of Chinese medicine, acupuncture often comes to mind. This might be an accurate first impression, but there's much more to the story, including a link to massage. Many massage techniques have an Asian influence, dating back centuries. Regardless of the origin, it's clear that massage can help treat a wide variety of physical conditions, including back pain and injury.
Case in point comes from a recent study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. "Traditional Chinese medical massage procedures," including manual techniques such as kneading, rolling, pressing and repositioning manuevers, were performed on 82 patients (64 men, 18 women) diagnosed with protruding lumbar discs via CT-scan.
Most patients experienced improved curvature of the spinal column, increased range of motion and decreased back pain following treatment. Specifically, 65.8% of patients reported being "completely cured" of pain, while 31.7% reported "improvement" in their condition. Only 2.5% of the study group reported no improvement following treatment.
Whether you're experiencing pain or just want to relax, massage may be exactly what your body (and mind) are looking for. To find a massage therapist near you for more information, go to https://www.massagetoday.com/locator.
Reference: Yajun L. Treatment of protrusion of the lumbar intervertebral disc by TCM massage. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2002:22(2), pp126-7.
This Month's Massage Q & A
Question: Is it safe for patients with cancer to receive massage?
Answer: It's not possible to give a definitive answer to your question, because there are so many types of cancer and cancer treatment. Each presents its own set of circumstances.
In the past, some have believed that cancer was a contraindication for massage, the idea being that stimulation of the tissue could cause metastasis. That notion has been largely debunked, however. I only suggest that a therapist working with any patient with a serious illness be sure to solicit the approval of the patient's physician.
Question: My wife suffered a serious blow to the arm approximately two years ago and was forced to take sick leave She was sent to endless specialists and therapists all of which could do not a lot for her. She continues to be weak and suffer large amounts of pain in this area, although several doctors have said her arm is fully healed and that nothing is out of the ordinary. Can a massage therapist help?
Answer: It sounds very much as if your wife suffered a severe strain of her flexors, perhaps especially flexor carpi radialis and/or ulnaris. I suggest she see a good clinical massage therapist, who will probably be able to give her a great deal of relief.
Note: Information provided in the Massage Q & A section is drawn from comments posted on the "Ask a Massage Therapist" forum, where massage therapist James (Doc) Clay fields questions on the profession. The forum is located at https://www.massagetoday.com/ask/
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