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MASSAGE FOR SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

(Information Source: Susan G. Salvo's Massage Therapy Principes & Practice, 2nd Editon)

Massage is a relatively low risk form of therapy. Massage is contraindicated for several conditions and these are discussed at Contraindications for Massage. In general, massage is beneficial for just about every other condition that does not fall into the contraindication category.

It would be almost impossible to list all the conditions for which massage is indicated. This page focuses on a few conditions that have been scientifically documented to benefit from massage.

Alzheimer's disease - Massage decreased physical expressions of agitation (i.e., pacing, wandering) and improved sleep patterns.
Anemia - An increase in RBC;s and an increase in oxygen saturation in the blood suggests that massage is beneficial for individuals with anemia.
Asthma - It was found that massage improved pulmonary functions, and reduced the occurrence of asthma attacks.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - Individuals diagnosed with ADHD who receive massage were observed to be less fidgety and hyperactive, and spent more time completing assigned tasks.
Autism - Massaged autistic children spent less time in solitary play and had an increase in attention to sounds and their social relatedness to their teachers. Autistic behavior such as touch aversion was reduced.
Burn victims - Burn victims who were massaged experienced a decrease in pain and itching and reduced anxiety before debridement. Massage also lowered feelings of depression and anger.
Cancer - Lymphedema, pain, anxiety, and feelings of anger and depression were reduced when cancer patients had routine massages. Massage also increased lymphocyte and natural killer cell counts.
Cerebral palsy (CP) - Massage promotes circulation of blood and lymph and relieves muscular tension in individuals with CP. Increases in flexibility were also reported.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) - Clients with CFS experience reduced feelings of depression and anxiety and fewer somatic symptoms such as fatigue. CFS affects muscle strength; improved grip strength was also documented for clients receiving massages.
Constipation - Elimination problems were releived through massage.
Diabetes - Blood glucose levels, anxiety, and depression were reduced with massage. An increase in dietary compliance was also reported.
Eating disorders - Anorexia nervosa and bulimis nervosa patients stated a reduction of depression and anxiety. These individuals stated that they experienced an improvement in eating habits and an increase in positive body image with regular massage treatments.
Fibromyalgia - Not only were stress, anxiety and feelings of depression reduced with massage, but decreases in pain, stiffness, fatigue, and insomnia were documented in individuals with fibromyalgia. Massage was rated more effective than standard physical therapy or prescriptive drugs.
Headaches - Most headaches (muscular, cluster, eye strain, mental fatigue, sinus) were relieved with massage. Subjects also reported more headache-free days and less analgesic use as a result of pain reduction.
High blood pressure - Massage decreased blood pressure )both systolic and diastolic readings) and helped promote healthy lifestyle habits in patients with hypertension.
Individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - The number of natural killer cells and their ability to fight pathogens increased after massage. Massage also helped individuals infected with HIV to relax.
Hospitalized and hospice patients - Postoperative paid was reduced and patients had a decline in heart rate and blood pressure, indicating decreased stress and anxiety. Hospice patients experienced the same effects.
Infants - Preterm, cocaine-exposed, HIV-exposed, and full-term infants experienced less colic, less repetitive crying, improved feeding habits, and gained more weight than nonmassaged infants in the same categories. Massage was found more effective than rocking for inducing infant sleep.
Injuries - Massage speeds the healing of overuse injuries, sprains, and strains.
Insomnia - Insomnia is alleviated by inducing relaxation.
Low back pain - Low back pain is decreased by addressing trigger points. Medical costs were reduced by about 40% along with reduced analgesic use. Massage increased range of motion and promoted relaxation. Patients reported that massage made them feel cared for, happy, physically relaxed, less anxious, calm, and restful. Massage was rated more effective than standard physical therapy or prescriptive drugs.
Lung disease - For clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), massage strengthened respiratory muscles, reduced heart rate, increased oxygen saturation in blood, decreased shortness of breath, and improved pulmonary functions. Respiratory drainage is encouraged through cupping tapotement and vibration. Clients with cystic fibrosis further reported decreased anxiety and improved more with massage treatments.
- Swelling resulting from lymphedema was reduced with massage if it was not a result of inflammation or disease. Edema resulting from traumatic inflammation may be aided with techniques such as light centripetally applied effleurage.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) - Individuals with MS who received massages experienced reduced anxiety and depression, improved self-esteem and positive body image, and implemented changes to their lifestyle that promoted health such as exercising and stretching.
Nerve entrapment - Conditions of nerve entrapment that occur when soft tissues constrict the nerve, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, and sciatica, were relieved by release of the myofascial component.
Poor circulation - Massage improved bllod circulation.
Pregnancy and postpartum - Massage pregnant women reported fewer obstetric and postpartum complications, reduced prematurity rates, shorter and less painful labors, and fewer days in hospital after labor and delivery. When nurses, midwives or spouses massage the pregnant or laboring women's perineal area, injury such as tearing during fetal delivery was reduced. Feelings of postpartum depression declined with massage. Depressed adolescent mothers reported less stress, anxiety and depression. These were supported by a reduction of stress hormones in the blood.
Premenstrual syndrome - Massage reduced swelling, pain and anxiety and improved the mood of women experiencing premenstrual syndrome.
Psychiatric patients - Child, adolescent and adult psychiatric patients were observed to be better adapted to a group and the medical staff reported better clinical progress with massage treatments. A decrease in depression and anxiety was noted with reduced cortisol levels and norepinephrine blood levels and increased in dopamine levels. In many individuals, a decreased self-destructive behavior was reported and the mental health status in the subjects of the massaged group. A decrease in the episodes of dysfunctional behavior was found in patients with dementia.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Massage reduced trigger point formation, pain, anxiety and morning stiffness in individuals with adult and juvenile RA.
Skin conditions - Skin problems such as mild dryness and itching were alleviated by massage because of the increase of sebum production and blood circulation.
Stress and anxiety - Stress and anxiety are reduced by activation of the parasympathetic nervous system and promotion of the relaxation response.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction - The muscular component of TMJ dysfunction was addressed with massage and reduced paind an dysfunction was the result.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and IS NOT intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.