Mind, Body & Spirit By: Angela Verrill

Week Two Review Who can tell me what meditation is? What is one thing you remember about the origin of meditation? What is a health benefit of meditation? What meditation technique interested you most? Would you incorporate meditation into your life?

Week 3 Massage Therapy ~ 101

What is Massage Therapy? Manual manipulation of soft body tissue to improve one’s health & well-being usually done with hands & fingers but many use forearms, elbows or feet There are 12 types of massage therapy methods (modalities) Massage therapy is sought for many reasons including: Reduce stress & anxiety Relax muscles Rehabilitate injuries Reduce pain Improve circulation Promote overall health & wellness 2 fundamental categories: Relaxation massage ~ Swedish Massage ~ practiced in spas, wellness centers & resorts Rehabilitative massage ~ deep tissue ~ medical, therapeutic or clinical massage, practiced in clinics, hospitals & chiropractic offices

Origin of Massage Therapy

Ancient records from China, Japan, India Arabic nations, Egypt, Greece & Rome date back 3,000 years for its use Applied forms of massage for many ailments –Hindus, Persians & Egyptians Believed that touch not only relieved muscle soreness but also contributed a profound healing quality of one’s life force or spiritual energy Massage was widely used in Europe during the Renaissance 1850’s ~ massage introduced to the United States by 2 American physicians who studied in Sweden 1930’s & 1940’s ~ massage become unfavorable in the United States 1970’s ~ revived especially by athletes

Need for Human Touch

1999 ~ Author John Naisbitt of Megatrends 2000 stated “ The more high technology around us, the greater the need for human touch” As we move closer & closer to technology we distant ourselves from basic elements that provide physical, emotional & spiritual nourishment Health care providers also agree with Naisbitt, known as “famine of touch” or touch deprivation found in the U.S. Human touch is a necessity just as air, food & water Reported by orphanages, babies deprived from touch can actually die

Need for Human Touch Vitamin T Terminology Leveling: Achieving harmony between two people with differing comfort levels regarding touch, usually by expressing the less intimate level (e.g., T7 or T6) Intimacy: Level of friendship, familiarity, or closeness with another person, reflected by the frequency, intensity, and duration of contact Primary deficiency: An inadequate supply of vitamin T Space invaders: People who invade your personal space, physically or verbally Ouch: A painful touch experience (Touch minus T = Ouch) Stop: Refusal skills for dealing with space invaders or ouches Health practitioners Bob Czimbal and Maggie Zadikov explain why people need touch or vitamin T for their well-being just as they need other vitamins

Massage Therapy for Health

Part of many physical rehabilitation programs & beneficial for many chronic conditions like: Low back pain arthritis bursitisDepression Fatiguehigh blood pressureDiabetes immunity suppression Infertilitysmoking cessation Helps relieve stress & tension that may lead to illness or disease Cancer patients ~ reduce pain, promote relaxation & boost mood however precautions need to be taken Fibromyalgia ~ 2010 a review resulted in massage may help reduce pain, fatigue & other related symptoms to fibro HIV/AIDS ~ may help improve quality of life

Massage Therapy for Health Cont… Do not replace conventional care or postpone seeing health care provider about a medical condition Discuss concerns with health care provider is unsure about massage therapy being beneficial Ask about training, experience & credentials of massage therapist you are seeking Ask about number of treatments needed, cost & insurance coverage Tell you health care provider about any complementary health approaches you are using, make you give them the full picture of what you do to take care of your health, this will ensure your treatments are safe and coordinated

Massage Therapy for Health Cont… 2007 ~ National Health Interview Survey ~ about 18 million U.S. adults & 700,000 children had received massage therapy in the previous year Scafidi & associates ~ study reveled (3) 15 minute periods of massage for 3 consecutive hours over a 10-day period increased growth in premature babies In 20 babies who received “tactile kinesthetic stimulation”, 21% increase in weight gain per a day was observed These babies left the hospital 5 days earlier than control subjects McKechnie & colleagues ~ found connective-tissue massage help reduce resting heart rate, skin resistance & muscle tension This mode of relaxation beneficial for those with anxiety

Massage Therapy for Health Cont… Combined effects of exercise & muscle massage examined in college students ~ increase mood compared those with just exercise Maintained high levels of energy and also reported Decreased levels of muscle tension Fatigue Anxiety Depression anger In the Soviet Union, Kolpakov & Rumyantseva conducted a study to see what regular eye massage would have on vision & eye fatigue on factory workers They found that this treatment decreased eye strain & recommended massage as a practical form of medical treatment

Types of Massage

Swedish massage ~ uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration & tapping, decreased muscle tension & increased circulation Sports massage ~ combines Swedish massage & deep tissue to release chronic muscle tension, tailored to needs of athletes Myofasical trigger point therapy ~ trigger points (muscle knots),areas that painful when pressed & associated with pain in others parts of the body Shiatsu ~ acupressure ~ freeing blocked energy currents within the body, Shiatsu means finger pressure; force applied with fingers, forearm, elbow, knee & palm 14 segments (meridians) in the body~ points on these meridians where pressure is applied ~ tsubos Application of tsubos thought to remove an energy block caused by muscle tension or toxins in muscle tissue that causes cramps

Types of Massage Cont… Rolfing ~ deep- tissue massage created by Ida Rolf promoting better posture by working with the soft connective tissue around & between muscles, described as physical torture Aromatherapy ~ essential oils or perfumed scents used to bring a sense of calmness rubbing natural oils on body creates tranquility which dated to back Egyptian pharaohs who believed fragrance of flowers & herbs forged a unique bond with the body & soul Lavender ~ calm, uplift & relax the mind, decrease resting heart rate & blood pressure Juniper ~ muscle relaxant qualities, for use with muscle spasms, fibromyalgia, intestinal and uterine cramps & peptic ulcers Chamomile ~ calms, nurtures & regenerates, helps decrease blood pressure, used for suppressing anger, irritability & resentment Vetiver ~ boost integrity of immune system, give s sense of feeling grounded & centered Palmarosa ~ anit-infective agent for cases with bacteria, viruses or fungi, sinus infections, cadidiasis & Chlamydia, boost immune system

Shiatsu ~ Acupressure

Swedish Massage

Sports Massage

Trigger Points Here is a video to get an idea of trigger points This something that most us may experience in some point in our life depending on our physical activity level Did you enjoy the video? Watching this video would you go to get trigger points done? What massage technique catches your attention the most Do you feel massage would be beneficial for you?

References Seaward, Brian L.(2008) MANAGING STRESS 6E VITALBOOKS, 6th Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning Northwestern Health Sciences University. (2014). Massage Therapy Definition - School of Massage Therapy - Northwestern. Retrieved from definition/ definition/ Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. (2014). Learn More About Massage. Retrieved from National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). (2014). Massage Therapy for Health Purposes: What You Need To Know | NCCAM. Retrieved from Medicinenet.com. (2014). Massage Therapy: Get Facts about Types and Benefits. Retrieved from