Can Massage help with your Fibromaylgia Pain? There is a good chance that it could!

Pain can make it difficult to enjoy everyday activities, but for fibromyalgia patients, pain can be constant, interfering with sleep, work and daily tasks. According to the American Chronic Pain Association, fibromyalgia affects more than 6 million Americans. The origins of this disorder are still relatively unknown. Though there is no cure, massage therapy may be one way to make life a little easier for people with fibromyalgia. In 2010, Adelaida Maria Castro-Sánchez led scientists from the University of Almería in Almería, Spain, to consider the effects of myofascial therapy on pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression and quality of life in fibromyalgia patients. Using a randomized-controlled study, researchers assigned 64 fibromyalgia patients to receive one of two types of therapy treatments over the course of 20 weeks. The experimental group received myofascial release therapy for 90 minutes once a week. The control group received a therapy that used a disconnected magnetic therapy machine for 30 minutes once a week. Their pain was assessed at baseline and at the end of the 20-week period, and then again at one and six months following the study’s completion. Researchers found the experimental group experienced significantly improved anxiety, sleep, pain and quality of life–both imediately following the treatment and up to one month after. The control group did not reap any of these benefits. The six-month follow ups, however, showed that improvements in sleep were the only difference between the two treatment groups. A similar study held by Castro-Sanchez in 2011 further examined how Fibromyalgia patients respond to massage therapy and found reductions in sensitivity to their pain. Additionally, these results showed many improvements that lasted as one year after the studies completion.

By Michelle Vallet, May 28, 2014

We’ve all had days where we feel sad or blue. Nobody can be happy all of the time, and changes in mood, feelings of sadness sometimes, are perfectly normal. For some people, however, these feelings are more persistent and severe, interfering with everyday activities, lowering energy levels and interrupting sleep, for example. When these feelings begin to take over and noticeably change a person’s quality of life, seeing a mental health professional—and getting a depression diagnosis—can be the first step in getting the help they need.

For many who suffer, the solution most talked about is psychotherapy, where a person sees a trained mental health professional to talk (and perhaps be prescribed medication). But that approach doesn’t always work equally well for everyone. Now, people are also beginning to better understand how a combination of treatment options can be beneficial, and massage therapy is showing some promise in helping people better handle this condition.

Defining Depression

Perhaps one of the most difficult things about depression when talking about ways to help people who suffer is that arriving at a simple, straightforward definition of depression is next to impossible. Depression, unlike some other medical conditions, is seemingly fluid in nature, meaning the cause(s) and how symptoms manifest are often unique to the individual and can be a secondary complaint of another primary health condition, such as Alzheimer’s, for example, or other mental health issues. In other words, my depression isn’t your depression isn’t someone else’s depression.

That’s not to suggest, however, that there aren’t guidelines around diagnosing depression. Some people might think that depression is simply someone who is sad, but there’s a lot more to this condition than simply feeling down. Yes, sadness and unhappiness are definitely indicators of depression but, according to the Mayo Clinic, so are anger and irritability, loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, cognitive problems, as well as physical pain, such as back pain or headaches.

There can also be different types of depression. For example, some women experience depression both during pregnancy and after delivery, while other people may be affected seasonally or have anxiety that accompanies the depression.

The Benefits of Massage

When you ask exactly how massage therapy works to benefit people with depression, the most accurate answer is “we don’t yet know.” But that’s not to say the benefitsaren’t real, and some, like Christopher Moyer, PhD and assistant professor of psychology at the University ofWisconsin–Stout, posit that massage therapy may work in similar ways as psychotherapy. “The size and effect of massage therapy on trait anxiety and depression is virtually the same as that routinely found in the research studies of psychotherapy for those same conditions,” he explains. “Typically, both take place in a private setting and are based on a ‘50-minute hour’ for the length of the session. Repeated sessions on a weekly schedule—orsimilar—would be a traditional or common pattern when the goal is long-term reduction of anxiety or depression.”

The other striking similarity is that both are dependent on an interpersonal relationship founded on trust. “Some psychotherapy researchers think that the existence of the trustingrelationship—sometimes referred to as the therapeutic bond, or as the working alliance—isthe most important component of psychotherapy’s effectiveness,” Moyer says. “And the same may also be true for massage therapy, though this is something that needs to be researched.”

Remember, too, that depression isn’t just mental health issues—some of the symptoms manifest physically, too. “Depression is considered a mental illness, but one feels it in the body as well, a sense of heaviness in the corporeal,” says Alice Sanvito, a massage therapist and owner of Massage-St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri. “The physical experience of massage can change the physical sensation of heaviness to something lighter and can restore the feeling of living in one’s body again instead of being lost in one’s head.”

Moyer suggests something similar. “It’s tempting to say that yes, psychotherapy ought to have the greater potential to help because it ought to provide the person with skills and insight that reduce anxiety and depression, and that help the person avoid them in the future,” he explains. “And who is to say that massage therapy doesn’t do something similar to that? It’s possible that receiving massage therapy gives a person a kind of insight, in that it reeducates the person as to how their body and mind ought to feel when they are relaxed, healthy, less anxious and less depressed.”

There’s also the potential that—similar to chronic pain—some of the value of massage therapy for people with depression comes from interrupting the pattern of symptoms on a regular basis. “Each time one interrupts the pattern and experiences calm, it’s easier to remember what it’s like to live in a more normal state, gives one hope that it is possible,”Sanvito suggests.

The problem, however, is defining what regular means. Although research seems to suggest that more than one massage therapy session is more beneficial for people dealing with depression, beyond that, the information available gets fuzzier. “We do not yet have clear information on how many sessions of massage therapy, or in what pattern or frequency, are optimal or necessary,” Moyer explains. “Weekly sessions would be a good place to start. Then, depending on the response to treatment, that schedule could be adjusted as deemed necessary.

What You Need to Know

The constant in all of this is that there is no constant, meaning that massage therapists working with clients who suffer from depression need to educate themselves about the condition. In fact, Moyer believes all massage therapists should have some familiarity with both anxiety and depressive disorders because both are so common today.

Assess. Although an argument could be made that things are changing—you see more commercials dealing with mental health conditions, for example—the reality for many of these people is that mental health issues may carry a stigma. So, massage therapists can’tassume that clients who might be suffering from depression are going to offer this information up themselves. Some people, too, might not be aware they’re suffering from this disorder, so being aware of how depression can affect a person—as well as what some of the major symptoms are—may be helpful.

Obviously, you need to stay within your scope of practice, but that doesn’t mean you can’t—or shouldn’t—look for indications that current and potential clients might be dealing with depression.

Intake. Going hand in hand with assessment are your intake policies. Again, some clientsaren’t going to tell you they are being treated for depression, so being proactive about asking them is a good idea. Similar to how you ask for other health information during the intake process, you can ask clients if they’ve been feeling anxious or depressed. Or, add questions about feelings of depression to the intake form clients complete before a massage session.

As with assessment, you need to make sure you are staying within your scope of practice. “When I suggest that massage therapists should inquire about anxiety and depression as part of intake assessment, I am not suggesting that they change their practice or conduct themselves more like a social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist,” says Moyer. “Rather, I am highlighting how intake assessment is an unrivaled opportunity to gather information that can be helpful to clients.”

Be realistic. You also need to understand what massage therapy both can and cannot offer. Particularly if you have clients who are specifically seeing you for help dealing with depression, you need to be realistic about results. “Massage is not a magic bullet to relieve depression,” Sanvito says, “but having a temporary break in the sense of physical and emotional heaviness one feels is a great relief.”

The key here is to remember that these clients are most likely seeing other health care professionals for treatment, and so massage therapy is one approach your clients might be using to handle the symptoms of this disorder. “It should also be noted that massage therapy should not be used as a stand-alone treatment in serious cases, at least not at present,”Moyer cautions. “Medication and psychotherapy both have a much larger and stronger evidence base supporting their effectiveness. For serious cases, massage therapy should probably only be used as an additional treatment.”

Keep current on research. Although definitive research on how massage therapy works for clients who are dealing with depression is limited, staying current on what is available is imperative. Remember, too, that although we might not know exactly how massage therapy works, there are some strong studies available today that illustrate massage therapy can be useful in helping reduce feelings of depression.

Network with mental health professionals. In order to effectively work with clients who are suffering from depression, being networked to other health care professionals they may see for treatment is a good idea. “Such interprofessional relationships allow clients to be referred when needed, and also open up the possibility for coordinated care,” explainsMoyer. “It is an exciting possibility that anxiety and depression might be able to be treated most effectively, at least in some cases, when a client is receiving psychotherapy from a mental health expert and also receiving massage therapy from a massage therapist.”

When looking to build relationships with mental health professionals, remember that you need to be armed with up-to-date information on the ways in which massage therapy can benefit their patients, as well as have a basic understanding of depression. Again, a solid understanding of research is going to be imperative, and don’t let the limited number of studies on the subject deter you from reaching out. “I suspect there are many mental health professionals who would welcome the opportunity to learn more about the effectiveness of massage therapy,” Moyer says, “and to have another treatment option for their patients to add to other well-established treatments.”

As we continue to learn more about depression, the ways in which this condition can be treated are also expanding—and massage therapy is showing some real promise in being a good addition to the already existing treatment options.

Originally published here: http://www.amtamassage.org/articles/3/MTJ/detail/2942

What You Might Not Know About How Massage Can Help You

By Rebecca Jones – Originally posted at http://www.abmp.com/textonlymags/article.php?article=605

You know all about the relaxation benefits of massage—there’s no better tonic for tired muscles or flagging spirits. But you may not know about some of the other amazing benefits of massage, especially when it’s a regular regimen. It has a lot of positive payoffs you may never have thought about.

Massage Can Make You a More Productive Worker

Researchers have found that massage tends to lower the body’s production of cortisol, a stress hormone that suppresses the immune system. Block cortisol and the body’s so-called “natural killer cells” are freer to attack any incoming germs before they can establish a beachhead in your body. Along with a health-saving regimen of hand washing and preventive care, regular massage can go a long way toward keeping you sniffle-free. And fewer colds mean fewer sick days, which means you can get more done.

Massage Can Make You a Better automobile Driver

Your driver’s ed teacher was right: never, ever change lanes without looking both in the rearview mirror and physically looking over your shoulder. Yes, twist and turn that neck for safety’s sake. Most rearview mirrors have a blind spot, and countless accidents occur every year when drivers unknowingly move into the path of another car. One study from the United Kingdom found that the number of crashes caused by blind spots rose 50 percent between 2009 and 2011, probably because of a thickening of the metal structures between the front and back windows in an effort to make cars structurally safer. It makes the cars safer, but it also makes the blind spots larger.

Now think about what happens when a stiff neck makes turning your head painful. Fortunately, a massage can improve blood flow to the stiff area and will provide the nutrients needed for quick recovery. Your neck will feel better, and you’ll drive more safely as a result.

Massage Can Help You Lose Weight

Starting an exercise regimen takes mental discipline, but it also takes a willingness to endure some pain. That’s because after any strenuous workout, muscles get inflamed, and that leads to soreness. Suffering through a bout of aching arms, calves, shoulders, and thighs might just drive the faint of heart back to the couch.

Researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in California and the  McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, recently studied men’s muscles after they exercised on stationary bicycles. They found that when the men had their legs massaged after a workout, they suffered less soreness the next day. The reason: massage seems to inhibit the activity of cytokines, which are proteins that cause inflammation, while it promotes the growth of mitochondria, which produce energy in the cells.

Less soreness means fewer excuses to skip a workout, which can help you stick to your exercise routine and see the results you seek.

Massage Can Make You a Better Dancer … Or Tennis Player … Or Golfer

The reason has to do with proprioception—the body’s innate sense of the relative position of all its parts. Police conducting field sobriety tests may ask drivers they suspect of being under the influence of alcohol to close their eyes and touch their nose. People with normal proprioception can usually do this pretty accurately. Those who’ve had too much to drink cannot, because alcohol impairs proprioception.

Some massage therapists are trained in an advanced form of flexibility therapy called proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), which can help clients learn safer, more natural ways to move their bodies. But even basic massage techniques have been shown to improve the mind-muscle link, therefore increasing an individual’s fine and gross motor control. Massage alone won’t earn you a spot on Dancing with the Stars, but it can help you be more adept and ditch your two left feet.

Massage Can Make Food Taste Better

OK, it won’t technically make the food taste any different, but it certainly can improve your digestion. Who relishes a feast when it’s followed by indigestion and a bloated feeling?

Massage has been shown to encourage the release of enzymes that break down food once it’s been consumed. This not only makes digestion easier, but also increases the absorption of nutrients. Massage also encourages the release of antioxidants, which neutralize acids in the stomach. Finally, it increases peristalsis, the involuntary contraction of the muscles that moves food through the intestines, reducing the chance of constipation.

If you’re prone to indigestion or abdominal discomfort, tell your massage therapist. He or she may know specific massage techniques that can be especially beneficial to you.

Massage Can Lower Blood Pressure

Massage cannot magically unclog narrowed arteries or reverse cardiovascular disease, but it can help relieve stress, and managing stress is an important step in controlling blood pressure.

A number of studies point to the ability of gentle, relaxing Swedish massage to lower blood pressure. For instance, a 2011 Iranian study looked at 75 prehypertensive women. Some of the women received 10–15 minutes of Swedish massage three times a week for 10 sessions, while those in the control group did not. Based on the results, investigators concluded “massage therapy was a safe, effective, applicable, and cost-effective intervention.”

In 2010, researchers from Dillard University in Louisiana wondered whether therapeutic chair massage and instruction in diaphragmatic breathing might help lower blood pressure in African-American women. This is an especially at-risk group, with an estimated 44 percent suffering from hypertension, according to the American Heart Association. The study found decreased systolic blood pressure levels in these women for a week following a massage.

Warning: not all massage is likely to lower blood pressure. Some types, such as trigger point or sports massage, may actually increase blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about how massage can fit into your overall wellness strategy.

Massage Can Make You smile

You probably leave each massage session with a smile on your face, but you may be surprised to learn just how long it can last. Evidence suggests that massage therapy can relieve symptoms of depression, and, in turn, perhaps coax a grin during tough times.

In 2010, Taiwanese researchers investigated randomized controlled trials of massage therapy in depressed patients. Based on the results, they concluded that massage therapy has “potentially significant effects” in alleviating depression. The findings, reported in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, indicate that the improved emotional mood brought on by massage might be due to stress reduction and relaxation, by bonding between therapist and client, or possibly by promoting the release of oxytocin, a hormone noted for its ability to induce feelings of optimism and increased self-esteem.

More study is needed to determine just why massage seems to be such an effective antidepressant, but this much is clear: massage can put a smile on your face, and that’s better than a frown any day.

Rebecca Jones is a Denver-area freelancer and frequent Body Sense contributor. Contact her at killarneyrose@comcast.net.